The idea of ‘common but differentiated responsibility’ means-

Answer & explanation

Correct answer: option 2

The correct answer is Option (2) → The special needs of the developing countries must be taken into account in the development, application, and interpretation of rules of international environmental law.

Option (1) The developed countries of the North want everyone to be equally responsible for ecological conservation — Incorrect. This is the North’s position, which the principle rejects. The South argues that the developed countries caused more degradation and must take more responsibility.

Option (2) The special needs of the developing countries must be taken into account ... — Correct. Countries share a common duty to protect the environment, but their duties differ by their contribution to the damage. The special needs of the developing countries must be taken into account; this was accepted in the Rio Declaration in 1992 and is called the principle of ‘common but differentiated responsibilities’.

Option (3) China and India were not exempted from the requirements of Kyoto Protocol — Incorrect. Factually wrong: China, India and other developing countries were exempted from the Kyoto Protocol’s requirements, as a result of this very principle.

Option (4) Common people should also be held responsible for climate change. — Incorrect. ‘Common’ here refers to the responsibility all states share, not to common people.

Note: A similar question was also asked in CUET (UG) 2026 on 21-05-2026 (Slot 1) and 23-05-2026 (Slot 1).

NCERT (2025-26): “Common but Differentiated Responsibilities … We have noted above a difference in the approach to environment between the countries of the North and the South. The developed countries of the North want to discuss the environmental issue as it stands now and want everyone to be equally responsible for ecological conservation. The developing countries of the South feel that much of the ecological degradation in the world is the product of industrial development undertaken by the developed countries. If they have caused more degradation, they must also take more responsibility for undoing the damage now. Moreover, the developing countries are in the process of industrialisation and they must not be subjected to the same restrictions, which apply to the developed countries. Thus the special needs of the developing countries must be taken into account in the development, application, and interpretation of rules of international environmental law. This argument was accepted in the Rio Declaration at the Earth Summit in 1992 and is called the principle of ‘common but differentiated responsibilities’.…

Common but Differentiated Responsibilities … China, India, and other developing countries were, therefore, exempted from the requirements of the Kyoto Protocol.…”