UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — Not just forests: why grasslands also belong in national climate plans
Q1. With reference to the Tropical Forest Forever Facility (TFFF) launched at UNFCCC COP30 in Belém (November 2025), consider the following countries that made initial sovereign pledges to the Facility:
1. Norway
2. Portugal
3. United Kingdom
4. Indonesia
Which of the above is/are NOT correctly identified as initial pledging countries?
- Norway
- Portugal
- United Kingdom
- Indonesia
- A. 1 and 4 only
- B. 2 only
- C. 3 only
- D. 1, 2 and 4
Q2. With reference to how grasslands compare with forests in the global climate-policy architecture, consider the following statements:
1. The Tropical Forest Forever Facility (TFFF) launched at COP30 (Belém) is designed exclusively for tropical forests and is managed by the World Bank.
2. Since the Kyoto Protocol's accounting framework, grasslands and savannahs have received parity with forests in UNFCCC mitigation accounting.
3. The IPCC Special Report on Climate Change and Land estimates that soil carbon sequestration in croplands and grasslands has a mitigation potential of 0.4–8.6 GtCO2-eq per year.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- The Tropical Forest Forever Facility (TFFF) launched at COP30 (Belém) is designed exclusively for tropical forests and is managed by the World Bank.
- Since the Kyoto Protocol's accounting framework, grasslands and savannahs have received parity with forests in UNFCCC mitigation accounting.
- The IPCC Special Report on Climate Change and Land estimates that soil carbon sequestration in croplands and grasslands has a mitigation potential of 0.4–8.6 GtCO2-eq per year.
- A. 1 only
- B. 1 and 3 only
- C. 2 and 3 only
- D. 1, 2 and 3
Q3. With reference to India's document 'Green Pathway: From Conservation to Climate Action' (2026), which outlines a phase-wise restoration plan (2025–2034) covering grassland rejuvenation, consider the following programmes:
1. Compensatory Afforestation Fund (CAMPA)
2. Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS)
3. Green India Mission
4. PM-KISAN
Which of the above are correctly identified as convergence programmes for the restoration plan?
- Compensatory Afforestation Fund (CAMPA)
- Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS)
- Green India Mission
- PM-KISAN
- A. 1 and 3 only
- B. 2 and 4 only
- C. 1, 2 and 3 only
- D. 1, 2, 3 and 4
Q4. Which of the following is the lead implementing agency designated by the United Nations for the 'International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists, 2026'?
- A. United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)
- B. Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)
- C. United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) Secretariat
- D. United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
Q5. At the launch of the Tropical Forest Forever Facility (TFFF) at UNFCCC COP30 in Belém (November 2025), how many countries endorsed the TFFF Launch Declaration?