With reference to the 'New York Declaration on Forests', which of the following statements are correct? 1. It was first endorsed at the United Nations Climate Summit in 2014. 2. It endorses a global timeline to end the loss of forests. 3. It is a legally binding international declaration. 4. It is endorsed by governments, big companies and indigenous communities. 5. India was one of the signatories at its inception. Select the correct answer using the code given below.
- (a) 1, 2 and 4 ✓ UPSC's answer
- (b) 1, 3 and 5
- (c) 3 and 4
- (d) 2 and 5
Why the answer is (a)
• The New York Declaration on Forests was first endorsed at the UN Climate Summit in New York in September 2014 (statement 1).
• It set a global timeline to halve natural forest loss by 2020 and end it by 2030, while restoring 350 million hectares (statement 2).
• It is a voluntary, non-binding political declaration (statement 3 is wrong), endorsed by governments, multinational companies, NGOs and indigenous peoples' organisations (statement 4).
• India did not sign at inception; it also stayed out of the 2021 Glasgow forests pledge (statement 5 is wrong).
• Hence 1, 2 and 4, option (a).
Why the other options are wrong
- (b) 1, 3 and 5
- Statements 3 and 5 are wrong: it is non-binding and India was not a signatory.
- (c) 3 and 4
- Statement 3 is wrong: the declaration is not legally binding.
- (d) 2 and 5
- Statement 5 is wrong: India did not sign at inception.
Asked in the GS Paper I of the UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2021, held on 10 October 2021. Question and answer key: Union Public Service Commission. Explanation: UPSC Answer Check.