Consider the following statements : Statement I : Article 6 of the Paris Agreement on climate change is frequently discussed in global discussions on sustainable development and climate change. Statement II : Article 6 of the Paris Agreement on climate change sets out the principles of carbon markets. Statement III : Article 6 of the Paris Agreement on climate change intends to promote inter-country non-market strategies to reach their climate targets. Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?
- (a) Both Statement II and Statement III are correct and both of them explain Statement I ✓ UPSC's answer
- (b) Both Statement II and Statement III are correct but only one of them explains Statement I
- (c) Only one of the Statements II and III is correct and that explains Statement I
- (d) Neither Statement II nor Statement III is correct
Why the answer is (a)
• Article 6 of the Paris Agreement governs how countries may cooperate to meet their Nationally Determined Contributions; its rulebook was finalised only at COP26 (Glasgow) and COP29 (Baku), which is why it is so often discussed — statement I is correct.
• Statement II is correct: Article 6.2 allows bilateral trading of emission reductions (ITMOs) and Article 6.4 creates a UN-supervised global carbon crediting mechanism — the principles of international carbon markets.
• Statement III is correct: Article 6.8 establishes a framework for non-market approaches — cooperation through finance, technology and capacity building without trading credits.
• Both features make Article 6 central to climate finance and sustainable development debates, so both II and III explain I.
• Hence option (a).
Why the other options are wrong
- (b) Both Statement II and Statement III are correct but only one of them explains Statement I
- Both II (markets) and III (non-market approaches) explain why Article 6 is central to discussions.
- (c) Only one of the Statements II and III is correct and that explains Statement I
- Both II and III are correct.
- (d) Neither Statement II nor Statement III is correct
- Both II and III correctly describe Article 6.
Asked in the GS Paper I of the UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2025, held on 25 May 2025. Question and answer key: Union Public Service Commission. Explanation: UPSC Answer Check.