📘 IAS Prelims 2025 — GS-I Q.34 | Classroom Explanation

(Environment & Ecology)

📌 Question

Q.34) 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
(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

✅ Correct Answer: (a)

🧑‍🏫 Classroom Explanation

This question tests international climate governance, specifically Article 6 of the Paris Agreement, a high-frequency UPSC theme because of its link with carbon markets, climate finance, and global cooperation.

🔍 Key Concept: Why Article 6 Matters

• The Paris Agreement allows flexibility in achieving Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs)
• Article 6 provides the framework for international cooperation
• It is frequently debated because it:

• Enables carbon markets
• Mobilises climate finance
• Supports developing countries

➡️ Hence, Statement I sets the context correctly.

🔍 Statement-wise Analysis

✅ Statement II: Correct

• Article 6 lays the foundation for carbon markets through:

Article 6.2

• Allows Internationally Transferred Mitigation Outcomes (ITMOs)
• Countries can trade emission reductions
• Includes accounting and transparency rules

Article 6.4

• Establishes a UNFCCC-supervised carbon credit mechanism
• Often described as the successor to the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM)

➡️ Therefore, Article 6 clearly sets out the principles of carbon markets.

✅ Statement III: Correct

• Article 6 is not limited to markets only

Article 6.8

• Promotes Non-Market Approaches (NMAs)
• Includes:
  • Technology transfer
  • Capacity building
  • Policy coordination
  • Development cooperation

• These approaches help countries:

• Achieve climate targets
• Without trading carbon credits

➡️ Hence, Statement III is correct.

🔗 Cause–Effect Link (UPSC Core)

• Statement I → Why Article 6 is frequently discussed
• Statement II → Carbon market mechanisms
• Statement III → Non-market cooperation

➡️ Both II and III explain why Article 6 is central to global climate discussions

🧮 Logical Elimination (UPSC Style)

• Statement II → Correct
• Statement III → Correct
• Both explain Statement I

➡️ Correct option: (a)

🎯 Final Answer

✅ Correct Answer: (a)

📦 Info Box — Extra Points (Prelims Value Add)

• Article 6 enables:

• Cost-effective mitigation
• Private sector participation
• Climate finance flow to developing countries

• India’s interest:

• Access to global carbon markets
• Monetisation of low-cost mitigation opportunities

• UPSC Trap Alert:

• Article 6 ≠ only carbon trading
• Non-market approaches are equally important

📍 GS Mapping

GS Paper III
Theme: Environment, Climate Change, International Agreements
Topic: Paris Agreement — Article 6
Nature: Conceptual + Current Affairs