GeographyQuestion in UPSC Prelims 2025 on United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28)
Q. 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 decarbonised, the resilience of its health-care system may be compromised.
Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?
✅ Correct Answer: B. Both Statement II and Statement III are correct, but only one of them explains Statement I
Explanation:
✅ Statement I is correct: India did refrain from signing the COP28 Declaration on Climate and Health.
Statement II is incorrect: The declaration is non-binding and voluntary. It does not impose any mandatory requirement on signatories.
✅ Statement III is correct: Decarbonizing the health sector in developing countries like India can pose challenges to the resilience of healthcare infrastructure, especially in remote or under-resourced areas.
Hence, only one of the two statements (Statement III) explains Statement I.
