India’s stand on environmental issues is based on-
A. Common but differentiated responsibility
B. Introducing binding commitments on rapidly industrializing countries to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
C. Historical responsibility
D. Major responsibility of curbing emissions rests with developed countries
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 1
The correct answer is Option (1) → A, C and D only
A. Common but differentiated responsibility Correct. India follows this principle of the Rio Declaration and the UNFCCC.
B. Introducing binding commitments on rapidly industrializing countries to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Incorrect. India is wary of such binding commitments on countries like Brazil, China and India, and feels they go against the very spirit of the UNFCCC.
C. Historical responsibility Correct. India’s negotiating position relies heavily on the principle of historical responsibility.
D. Major responsibility of curbing emissions rests with developed countries Correct. India holds that the developed countries, which have caused most of the emissions, must do most of the curbing.
NCERT (2025-26): “India’s Stand on Environmental Issues … At the G-8 meeting in June 2005, India pointed out that the per capita emission rates of the developing countries are a tiny fraction of those in the developed world. Following the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities, India is of the view that the major responsibility of curbing emission rests with the developed countries, which have accumulated emissions over a long period of time. India’s international negotiating position relies heavily on principles of historical responsibility, as enshrined in UNFCCC. This acknowledges that developed countries are responsible for most historical and current greenhouse gas emissions, and emphasizes that ‘economic and social development are the first and overriding priorities of the developing country parties… India’s Stand on Environmental Issues … India is wary of recent discussions within UNFCCC about introducing binding commitments on rapidly industrialising countries (such as Brazil, China and India) to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions. India feels this contravenes the very spirit of UNFCCC.…” |