Consider the following statements : 1. The Sustainable Development Goals were first proposed in 1972 by a global think tank called the ‘Club of Rome’. 2. The Sustainable Development Goals have to be achieved by 2030. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- (a) 1 only
- (b) 2 only ✓ UPSC's answer
- (c) Both 1 and 2
- (d) Neither 1 nor 2
Why the answer is (b)
• The 17 Sustainable Development Goals were adopted by the UN General Assembly in September 2015 as the 2030 Agenda, to be achieved by 2030 (statement 2).
• Statement 1 is wrong: the SDGs were proposed by Colombia and Guatemala at Rio+20 (2012) and negotiated by an Open Working Group; the Club of Rome's 1972 report was 'The Limits to Growth', which did not propose SDGs.
• Hence 2 only, option (b).
Why the other options are wrong
- (a) 1 only
- Statement 1 is wrong: the Club of Rome did not propose the SDGs.
- (c) Both 1 and 2
- Statement 1 is wrong.
- (d) Neither 1 nor 2
- Statement 2 is correct: the target year is 2030.
Asked in the GS Paper I of the UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2016, held on 7 August 2016. Question and answer key: Union Public Service Commission. Explanation: UPSC Answer Check.