Question

India signed and ratified the 1997 Kyoto Protocol in August 2002. India, China and other developing countries were exempt from the requirements of the Kyoto Protocol because their contribution to the emission of greenhouse gases during the industrialisation period (that is believed to be causing today's global warming and climate change) was not significant. However, the critics of the Kyoto Protocol point out that sooner or later, both India and China, along with other developing countries, will be among the leading contributors to greenhouse gas emissions. 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'. So 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.

The Indian government is already participating in global efforts through a number of programmes. For example, India's National Auto-fuel Policy mandates cleaner fuels for vehicles. The Energy Conservation Act, passed in 2001, outlines initiatives to improve energy efficiency. Similarly, the Electricity Act of 2003 encourages the use of renewable energy. Recent trends in importing natural gas and encouraging the adoption of clean coal technologies show that India has been making real efforts. The government is also keen to launch a National Mission on Biodiesel, using about 11 million hectares of land to produce biodiesel by 2011-2012. India ratified the Paris Climate Agreement on 2 October 2016.

Which one of the following statements is not correct regarding India's participation in global environmental efforts?

• A. The Energy Conservation Act outlines initiatives to improve energy efficiency.
• B. The Electricity Act encourages the use of renewable energy.
• C. National Auto-fuel Policy mandates cleaner fuels for vehicles.
• D. The National Mission on Biodiesel pushes to increase imports of biodiesel by 2030.

Hint:

Three statements are in the passage. Check what the Biodiesel Mission aims for.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is D

Step 1: Plan.
Since we want the statement that is not correct, we will test every statement against the passage and keep the one that fails.

Step 2: Test statement by statement.
Statements 1, 2 and 3 can each be found in the passage almost word for word: efficiency under the Energy Conservation Act, renewable energy under the Electricity Act, and cleaner fuels under the Auto-fuel Policy.

Step 3: Test statement 4 on two points.
First point: the passage talks about producing biodiesel on about 11 million hectares, while the statement says increasing imports. Second point: the passage gives the target 2011-2012, while the statement says 2030.

Step 4: Judge.
The statement changes both the purpose and the date. A mission to grow biodiesel at home is the opposite of a push to import it. So it cannot be a correct statement.

Step 3b: Why a swapped detail makes a statement false.
In reading questions, the usual trick is to keep most of a true line and change one word. Here the true line is that the Mission will use about 11 million hectares of land to produce biodiesel. The changed version talks of imports and of 2030. When both the action and the year are altered, the statement has no support at all. The other three options keep the action and the Act exactly as the passage gives them, which is why they stay correct.

Final Answer:
Option 4 is the statement that is not correct.
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