UPSC Prelims 2015 CSAT Paper II · Q67 of 74 Comprehension medium

Passage

Passage - 4 Climate change is a complex policy issue with major implications in terms of finance. All actions to address climate change ultimately involve costs. Funding is vital for countries like India to design and implement adaptation and mitigation plans and projects. Lack of funding is a large impediment to implementing adaptation plans. The scale and magnitude of the financial support required by developing countries to enhance their domestic mitigation and adaptation actions are a matter of intense debate in the multilateral negotiations under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). The Convention squarely puts the responsibility for provision of financial support on the developed countries, taking into account their contribution to the stock of greenhouse gases (GHGs) in the atmosphere. Given the magnitude of the task and the funds required, domestic finances are likely to fall short of the current and projected needs of the developing countries. Global funding through the multilateral mechanism of the Convention will enhance their domestic capacity to finance the mitigation efforts.

Which one of the following is essentially discussed in the passage ?

  1. (a) Conflict between developed and developing countries regarding support for mitigation ✓ UPSC's answer
  2. (b) Occurrence of climate change due to excessive exploitation of natural resources by the developed countries
  3. (c) Lack of political will on the part of all the countries to implement adaptation plans
  4. (d) Governance problems of developing countries as a result of climate change

Why the answer is (a)

• The passage explicitly states that the scale and magnitude of financial support required by developing countries is a 'matter of intense debate' in UNFCCC negotiations.

• It highlights that the Convention places the responsibility for providing this financial support squarely on developed countries due to their historical contribution to greenhouse gases.

• The text contrasts the financial needs of developing countries with the obligation of developed nations, framing the core issue as a negotiation over funding responsibilities.

• Therefore, the passage essentially discusses the conflict or debate between developed and developing countries regarding financial support for mitigation and adaptation.

Why the other options are wrong

(b) Occurrence of climate change due to excessive exploitation of natural resources by the…
The passage does not attribute the occurrence of climate change to the exploitation of natural resources, but rather to the stock of greenhouse gases.
(c) Lack of political will on the part of all the countries to implement adaptation plans
The passage identifies lack of funding as the impediment, not a lack of political will on the part of all countries.
(d) Governance problems of developing countries as a result of climate change
The passage focuses on financial constraints and international negotiations, not on the internal governance problems of developing countries.

Asked in the CSAT Paper II of the UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2015, held on 23 August 2015. Question and answer key: Union Public Service Commission. Explanation: UPSC Answer Check.

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