UPSC Environment and Ecology – Chapter 22: International Environmental Conventions (23 MCQs)

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UPSC Environment and Ecology – Chapter 22: International Environmental Conventions (23 MCQs) – 23 questions, subject: Environment. Every question has the correct answer with a one-line explanation; tap "Show Answer". Free practice for TNPSC, UPSC, SSC, Bank and RRB exams – Shanmugam IAS Academy, Coimbatore.

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1.  

The Convention on Biological Diversity entered into force in:

Correct Answer: A [1993]

Explanation:

29 December 1993.

2.  

The Nagoya Protocol deals with:

Correct Answer: A [access to genetic resources and benefit sharing]

Explanation:

The Nagoya Protocol (2010, in force 2014) governs access to genetic resources with prior informed consent and fair sharing of benefits.

3.  

The Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (2022) sets how many global targets for 2030?

Correct Answer: B [23]

Explanation:

The Kunming–Montreal Framework has 4 goals for 2050 and 23 targets for 2030.

4.  

Species placed in Appendix I of CITES are those:

Correct Answer: D [threatened with extinction, traded only in exceptional circumstances]

Explanation:

Appendix I covers species threatened with extinction; commercial trade is banned and allowed only in exceptional cases with export and import permits.

5.  

India's National Action Plan (2018–2023) for the conservation of migratory birds and their habitats was prepared for the:

Correct Answer: D [Central Asian Flyway]

Explanation:

The MoEFCC prepared the National Action Plan for migratory birds and their habitats along the Central Asian Flyway (2018–2023).

6.  

India hosted the 13th Conference of the Parties to the CMS in 2020 at:

Correct Answer: C [Gandhinagar]

Explanation:

CMS COP13 met at Gandhinagar in February 2020 and added the Great Indian Bustard, Asian elephant and Bengal florican to Appendix I.

7.  

The "prior informed consent" procedure for trade in hazardous chemicals and pesticides is laid down by the:

Correct Answer: B [Rotterdam Convention]

Explanation:

The Rotterdam Convention (1998) lays down the prior informed consent procedure for trade in certain hazardous chemicals and pesticides.

8.  

The Minamata Convention deals with:

Correct Answer: C [mercury]

Explanation:

The Minamata Convention (2013) controls mercury mining, products, emissions and releases, and is named after Minamata disease.

9.  

The Agreement on Marine Biological Diversity of Areas beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) entered into force in:

Correct Answer: C [January 2026]

Explanation:

17 January 2026.

10.  

Consider the following statements about the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture:

1. It was adopted under the Food and Agriculture Organization.
2. It creates a Multilateral System of access and benefit sharing for major food crops.
3. It is administered by UNESCO.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

Correct Answer: B [1 and 2 only]

Explanation:

The Treaty was adopted under FAO in 2001 and creates a Multilateral System of access and benefit sharing for major food crops.

11.  

Assertion (A): The Cartagena Protocol is called a biosafety protocol.

Reason (R): It regulates the transboundary movement of living modified organisms that may harm biological diversity.

Correct Answer: A [Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A]

Explanation:

Biosafety means protecting biodiversity from risks posed by living modified organisms, which the Protocol does by regulating their transboundary movement.

12.  

The Global Environment Facility was established in:

Correct Answer: C [1991]

Explanation:

as a World Bank pilot.

13.  

The headquarters of the United Nations Environment Programme is at:

Correct Answer: B [Nairobi]

Explanation:

UNEP, created in December 1972 after the Stockholm Conference, has its headquarters at Nairobi, Kenya.

14.  

The "dirty dozen" chemicals were first listed under the:

Correct Answer: D [Stockholm Convention]

Explanation:

POPs.

15.  

The Cali Fund, set up under the Convention on Biological Diversity, seeks contributions from large companies that benefit commercially from the use of:

Correct Answer: D [digital sequence information on genetic resources]

Explanation:

The Cali Fund shares benefits from digital sequence information on genetic resources; large commercial DSI users are expected to contribute.

16.  

The International Whaling Commission's moratorium on commercial whaling has applied since:

Correct Answer: B [1986]

Explanation:

The International Whaling Commission's moratorium on commercial whaling has been in effect since 1986.

17.  

Arrange the following in chronological order of adoption:

1. Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants
2. CITES
3. Basel Convention
4. Minamata Convention

Select the correct answer:

Correct Answer: C [2-3-1-4]

Explanation:

1973, 1989, 2001, 2013.

18.  

Consider the following statements about the Cartagena Protocol:

1. It was adopted in 2000.
2. It entered into force in 2003.
3. A supplementary protocol on liability and redress was adopted in 2010.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

Correct Answer: D [1, 2 and 3]

Explanation:

The Cartagena Protocol was adopted in 2000, entered into force in 2003, and its liability supplementary protocol was adopted in 2010.

19.  

World Wildlife Day (3 March) marks the date of signing of the:

Correct Answer: C [CITES]

Explanation:

1973.

20.  

The 17th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (October 2026) was held at:

Correct Answer: A [Yerevan]

Explanation:

CBD COP17 was held at Yerevan, Armenia, in October 2026, after COP16 at Cali in 2024.

21.  
UPSC Prelims 2015

With reference to the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) and the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), which of the following statements is/are correct?

1. IUCN is an organ of the United Nations and CITES is an international agreement between governments.
2. IUCN runs thousands of field projects around the world to better manage natural environments.
3. CITES is legally binding on the States that have joined it, but this Convention does not take the place of national laws.

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

Correct Answer: B [2 and 3 only]

Explanation:

IUCN runs thousands of field projects, and CITES binds its Parties but works through national laws; only statement 1 (IUCN a UN organ) is false.

22.  
UPSC Prelims 2014

With reference to 'Global Environment Facility', which of the following statements is/are correct?

Correct Answer: A [It serves as a financial mechanism for 'Convention on Biological Diversity' and 'United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change'.]

Explanation:

The GEF, begun in 1991, serves as a financial mechanism for the CBD and the UNFCCC, besides the UNCCD and chemicals conventions.

23.  
UPSC Prelims 2014

Consider the following international agreements:

1. The International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture.
2. The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification.
3. The World Heritage Convention.

Which of the above has/have a bearing on biodiversity?

Correct Answer: D [1, 2 and 3]

Explanation:

The plant treaty conserves crop genetic diversity, the UNCCD fights habitat-destroying land degradation, and the WHC protects natural sites – all bear on biodiversity.

➤ Full notes, maps, tables, a reason for every option and Mains PYQs – U18 · Environment and Ecology (UPSC book, ₹249): www.shanmugamiasacademy.in/study-materials/upsc-environment-ecology

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