UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — At COP31, ‘overshoot’ narrative cannot replace climate action

Q1. With reference to the concept of a carbon budget, consider the following statements: Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. Because warming rises nearly in proportion to cumulative CO2 emissions, a temperature limit implies a finite total quantity of CO2 that can be emitted.
  2. The remaining carbon budget counts emissions only up to the point at which global CO2 emissions reach net zero.
  3. A carbon budget limits the annual rate of global CO2 emissions, so that the temperature outcome is set by the peak annual emission rather than by the accumulated total.
  • A. 1, 2 and 3
  • B. 1 and 3 only
  • C. 1 and 2 only
  • D. 2 and 3 only

Q2. The IPCC's Special Report on 1.5°C put the remaining carbon budget at about 420 GtCO2 for a two-thirds chance of limiting warming to 1.5°C, counted from the start of 2018. Its Sixth Assessment Report gave 500 GtCO2 for a 50% likelihood, counted from the beginning of 2020. Which of the following inferences can be drawn from these facts?

  1. A like-for-like comparison would require both estimates to be restated on a common probability and a common start date.
  2. The higher figure in the later report establishes that the space left for future CO2 emissions has grown since the earlier report.
  3. With all else unchanged, the later report's figure would fall below 500 GtCO2 if it were restated for a two-thirds chance.
  • A. 2 and 3 only
  • B. 1 and 3 only
  • C. 1 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q3. With reference to temperature overshoot pathways in IPCC usage, consider the following statements: Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. A pathway may be termed a 1.5°C pathway even if warming exceeds 1.5°C for a period, provided that it returns to 1.5°C by around 2100.
  2. Two pathways that record the same global temperature in 2100 can differ in their peak warming during the century.
  3. Overshoot of a temperature level is described with reference to a time horizon, such as 2100, by which temperature declines towards that level.
  • A. 1 only
  • B. 1 and 2 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q4. Two emissions pathways are compared. Pathway X rises to 1.5°C and stabilises there. Pathway Y rises to 1.7°C around mid-century and returns to 1.5°C by 2100. Assume that warming from non-CO2 gases is the same in both. Applying the near-linear link between cumulative CO2 emissions and warming, which one of the following follows?

  • A. Y's net cumulative CO2 emissions reach a higher maximum than X's, but are about equal to X's by 2100
  • B. Y's net cumulative CO2 emissions reach a lower maximum than X's, as later removals are counted in advance
  • C. Y's net cumulative CO2 emissions never exceed X's, as both pathways end at the same 1.5°C in 2100
  • D. Y's net cumulative CO2 emissions reach a higher maximum than X's, and remain larger than X's at 2100

Q5. Consider the following activities: Which of the activities given above would qualify as carbon dioxide removal as defined by the IPCC?

  1. Capturing CO2 from the exhaust of a coal-fired power plant and storing it underground
  2. Extracting CO2 directly from ambient air and injecting it into geological formations
  3. Replacing a coal-fired power plant with solar generation, thereby avoiding future emissions
  4. Growing a new forest whose biomass and soils durably store carbon taken up from the atmosphere
  • A. 1 and 3 only
  • B. 1, 2 and 4 only
  • C. 2, 3 and 4 only
  • D. 2 and 4 only

Q6. Consider the following statements: Which of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

  1. In an overshoot, the decline in global warming after its peak is achieved through anthropogenic CO2 removals exceeding remaining CO2 emissions globally.
  2. Reaching global net-zero CO2 emissions is by itself sufficient to bring warming back down from its peak.
  • A. Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II explains Statement-I
  • B. Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct, but Statement-II does not explain Statement-I
  • C. Statement-I is correct, but Statement-II is incorrect
  • D. Statement-I is incorrect, but Statement-II is correct

Q7. With reference to Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) under the Paris Agreement, consider the following statements: Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. Each Party is under a binding commitment to prepare, communicate and maintain an NDC and to pursue domestic measures towards it.
  2. Attaining the target stated in its NDC is an obligation of result for each Party, breach of which follows from any shortfall.
  3. The Agreement allocates to each Party a share of the remaining carbon budget, which that Party's NDC must respect.
  • A. 2 and 3 only
  • B. 1 only
  • C. 1, 2 and 3
  • D. 1 and 3 only

Q8. With reference to financial support under Article 9 of the Paris Agreement, consider the following statements: Which of the statements given above is/are NOT correct?

  1. Article 9 covers financial support for mitigation but leaves adaptation to be financed by developing countries themselves.
  2. Support from Parties other than developed country Parties is treated as a legal obligation on par with that of developed country Parties.
  3. The obligation of developed country Parties to provide finance under Article 9 arose afresh with the Paris Agreement, independent of obligations under the Convention.
  • A. 1, 2 and 3
  • B. 1 and 3 only
  • C. 1 only
  • D. 2 and 3 only