📘 IAS Prelims 2025 — GS-I Q.32 | Classroom Explanation

(Current Affairs: Environment & Ecology)

📌 Question

Q.32) Consider the following statements:

Statement I:
At the 28th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28), India refrained from signing the Declaration on Climate and Health.

Statement II:
The COP28 Declaration on Climate and Health is a binding declaration; and if signed, it becomes mandatory to decarbonize the health sector.

Statement III:
If India’s health sector is decarbonized, the resilience of its health-care system may be compromised.

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
(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

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✅ Correct Answer: (c)

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🧑‍🏫 Classroom Explanation

This question tests current affairs understanding of COP28 outcomes, combined with policy reasoning on development vs climate commitments, a classic UPSC analytical area.

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🔍 Key Concept: COP28 Declaration on Climate and Health

• COP28 (Dubai, 2023) highlighted the climate–health nexus
• A Declaration on Climate and Health was proposed:

• Focused on reducing emissions from healthcare systems
• Especially emissions from cooling, energy use, and infrastructure

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🔍 Statement-wise Analysis

✅ Statement I: Correct

• India did not sign the COP28 Declaration on Climate and Health
• India expressed policy and implementation concerns, particularly related to:

• Cooling requirements in hospitals
• Energy access in rural and remote areas

➡️ Statement I is correct.

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❌ Statement II: Incorrect

• The COP28 Declaration on Climate and Health is:

• Non-binding
• Non-negotiated
• A voluntary call to action, not a treaty or legal obligation

• Signing the declaration does not make decarbonization mandatory under international law

➡️ Statement II is incorrect.

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✅ Statement III: Correct (and Explains Statement I)

• India’s concern:

• Rapid decarbonization of the health sector
• Especially cooling systems (air-conditioning, cold chains)

• Potential risks:

• Reduced reliability of healthcare services
• Compromised resilience during heatwaves, pandemics, emergencies
• Adverse impact on rural and underserved regions

• This concern directly explains why India refrained from signing the declaration.

➡️ Statement III is correct and explains Statement I.

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🔗 Cause–Effect Logic (UPSC Core)

• Statement I → India did not sign
• Statement II → Incorrect premise (binding nature)
• Statement III → Correct explanatory factor

➡️ Only one of Statements II and III is correct and explains Statement I.

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🧮 Logical Elimination (UPSC Style)

• II ❌
• III ✅ and explanatory

➡️ Correct option: (c)

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🎯 Final Answer

✅ Correct Answer: (c)

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📦 Info Box — Extra Points (Prelims Value Add)

• Healthcare sector globally contributes ~4–5% of emissions
• India prioritises:

• Energy access
• Affordability
• System resilience over rapid decarbonisation mandates

• India’s broader climate stance:

• Net Zero by 2070
• Emphasis on equity and common but differentiated responsibilities (CBDR)

• UPSC Trap Alert:

• Declaration ≠ Treaty
• Non-binding statements are often misframed as “mandatory”

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📍 GS Mapping

GS Paper III
Theme: Environment, Climate Change
Topic: International Climate Negotiations (COP28)
Nature: Current Affairs + Policy Analysis

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