It is possible to produce algae-based biofuels, but what is/are the likely limitation(s) of developing countries in promoting this industry? (2017)
1. Production of algae-based biofuels is possible in seas only and not on continents.
2. Setting up and engineering the algae-based biofuels production requires high level of expertise/technology until the construction is complete.
3. Economically viable production necessitates the setting up of large-scale facilities which may raise ecological and social concerns.
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Which of the following is/are the possible consequence/s of heavy sand mining in river beds? (2018)
1. Decreased salinity in the river
2. Pollution of groundwater
3. Lowering of the water-table
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In the context of which one of the following are the terms ‘pyrolysis and plasma gasification’ mentioned? (2019)

Why is there a great concern about the ‘microbeads’ that are released into the environment? (2019)

Which of the following statements are correct about the deposits of ‘methane hydrate’? (2019)
1. Global warming might trigger the release of methane gas from these deposits.
2. Large deposits of ‘methane hydrate’ are found in Arctic Tundra and under the seafloor.
3. Methane in the atmosphere oxidised to carbon dioxide after a decade or two.
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Consider the following: (2019)
1. Carbon monoxide
2. Methane
3. Ozone
4. Sulphur dioxide
Which of the above are released into the atmosphere due to the burning of crop/biomass residue?

Which of the following are the reasons/factors for exposure to benzene pollution? (2020)
1. Automobile exhaust
2. Tobacco smoke
3. Wood burning
4. Using varnished wooden furniture
5. Using products made of polyurethane
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According to India’s National Policy on Biofuels, which of the following can be used as raw materials for the production of biofuels? (2020)
1. Cassava
2. Damaged wheat grains
3. Groundnut seeds
4. Horse gram
5. Rotten potatoes
6. Sugar beet
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Which one of the following statements best describes the term ‘Social Cost of Carbon’? (2020)
It is a measure, in monetary value, of the:

Consider the following statements: (2020)
1. Coal ash contains arsenic, lead and mercury.
2. Coal-fired power plants release sulphur dioxide and oxides of nitrogen into the environment.
3. High ash content is observed in Indian coal.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Why is there a concern about copper smelting plants? (2021)
1. They may release lethal quantities of carbon monoxide into the environment.
2. The copper slag can cause the leaching of some heavy metals into the environment.
3. They may release sulphur dioxide as a pollutant.
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With reference to furnace oil, consider the following statements: (2021)
1. It is a product of oil refineries.
2. Some industries use it to generate power.
3. Its use causes sulphur emissions into the environment.
Which of the statements given above are correct?

Magnetite particles, suspected to cause neurodegenerative problems, are generated as environmental pollutants from which of the following? (2021)
1. Brakes of motor vehicles
2. Engines of motor vehicles
3. Microwave stoves within homes
4. Power plants
5. Telephone lines
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The ‘Common Carbon Metric’, supported by UNEP, has been developed for (2021)

What is blue carbon? (2021)

Human activities in the recent past have caused the increased concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, but a lot of it does not remain in the lower atmosphere because of (2011)
1. Its escape into the outer stratosphere.
2. The photosynthesis by phytoplankton in the oceans.
3. The trapping of air in the polar ice caps.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Consider the following: (2011)
1. Carbon dioxide
2. Oxides of Nitrogen
3. Oxides of Sulphur
Which of the above is/are the emission/emissions from coal combustion at thermal power plants?

The formation of ozone hole in the Antarctic region has been a cause of concern. What could be the reason for the formation of this hole? (2011)

Regarding “carbon credits”, which one of the following statements is not correct? (2011)

Consider the following agricultural practices: (2012)
1. Contour bunding
2. Relay cropping
3. Zero tillage
In the context of global climate change, which of the above helps/help in carbon sequestration/storage in the soil?

Consider the following statements: (2012)
Chlorofluorocarbons, known as ozone-depleting substances, are used:
1. In the production of plastic foams.
2. In the production of tubeless tyres.
3. In cleaning certain electronic components.
4. As pressurizing agents in aerosol cans.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

The increasing amount of carbon dioxide in the air is slowly raising the temperature of the atmosphere, because it absorbs (2012)

Which of the following can be threats to the biodiversity of a geographical area? (2012)
1. Global warming
2. Fragmentation of habitat
3. Invasion of alien species
4. Promotion of vegetarianism
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With reference to the usefulness of the by products of the sugar industry, which of the following statements is/are correct? (2013)
1. Bagasse can be used as biomass fuel for the generation of energy.
2. Molasses can be used as one of the feedstocks for the production of synthetic chemical fertilizers.
3. Molasses can be used for the production of ethanol.
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The scientific view is that the increase in global temperature should not exceed 2°C above the pre-industrial level. If the global temperature increases beyond 3°C above the pre-industrial level, what can be its possible impact/impacts on the world? (2014)
1. Terrestrial biosphere tends toward a net carbon source.
2. Widespread coral mortality will occur.
3. All the global wetlands will permanently disappear.
4. Cultivation of cereals will not be possible anywhere in the world.
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The term ‘Intended Nationally Determined Contributions’ is sometimes seen in the news in the context of (2016)

What is ‘Greenhouse Gas Protocol’? (2016)

In the context of mitigating the impending global warming due to anthropogenic emissions of carbon dioxide, which of the following can be potential sites for carbon sequestration? (2017)
1. Abandoned and uneconomic coal seams
2. Depleted oil and gas reservoirs
3. Subterranean deep saline formations
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In the context of which of the following do some scientists suggest the use of cirrus cloud thinning technique and the injection of sulphate aerosol into the stratosphere? (2019)

Consider the following statements: (2019)
1. Agricultural soils release nitrogen oxides into the environment.
2. Cattle release ammonia into the environment.
3. Poultry industry releases reactive nitrogen compounds into the environment.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

In the context of proposals to the use of hydrogen-enriched CNG (H-CNG) as fuel for buses in public transport, consider the following statements: (2019)
1. The main advantage of the use of H-CNG is the elimination of carbon monoxide emissions.
2. H-CNG as fuel reduces carbon dioxide and hydrocarbon emissions.
3. Hydrogen up to one-fifth by volume can be blended with CNG as fuel for buses.
4. H-CNG makes the fuel less expensive than CNG.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Which one of the following has been constituted under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986? (2022)

With reference to Indian laws about wildlife protection, consider the following statements: (2022)
1. Wild animals are the sole property of the government.
2. When a wild animal is declared protected, such animal is entitled for equal protection whether it is found in protected areas or outside.
3. Apprehension of a protected wild animal becoming a danger to human life is sufficient ground for its capture or killing.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

With reference to India, consider the following Central Acts: (2011)
1. Import and Export (Control) Act, 1947
2. Mining and Mineral development (Regulation) Act, 1957
3. Customs Act, 1962
4. Indian Forest Act, 1927
Which of the above Acts have relevance to/bearing on the biodiversity conservation in the country?

The National Green Tribunal Act, 2010 was enacted in consonance with which of the following provisions of the Constitution of India? (2012)
1. Right to healthy environment, construed as a part of Right to life under Article 21.
2. Provision of grants for raising the level of administration in the Scheduled Areas for the welfare of Scheduled Tribes under Article 275(1).
3. Powers and functions of Gram Sabha as mentioned under Article 243(a).
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What are the significances of a practical approach to sugarcane production known as ‘Sustainable Sugarcane Initiative’? (2014)
1. Seed cost is very low in this compared to the conventional method of cultivation.
2. Drip irrigation can be practised very effectively in this.
3. There is no application of chemical/inorganic fertilizers at all in this.
4. The scope for intercropping is more in this compared to the conventional method of cultivation.
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Consider the following international agreements: (2014)
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?

Consider the following statements regarding ‘Earth Hour’ (2014)
1. It is an initiative of UNEP and UNESCO
2. It is a movement in which the participants switch off the lights for one hour on a certain day every year.
3. It is a movement to raise awareness about climate change and the need to save the planet.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

If a wetland of international importance is brought under the ‘Montreux Record’, what does it imply? (2014)

With reference to a conservation organisation called ‘Wetlands International’, which of the following statements is/are correct? (2014)
1. It is an intergovernmental organisation formed by the countries which are signatories to the Ramsar Convention.
2. It works at the field level to develop and mobilise knowledge, and use the practical experience to advocate for better policies.
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Consider the following pairs: (2014)
Wetlands: Confluence of Rivers
1. Harike Wetlands: Confluence of Beas and Satluj/Sutlej
2. Keoladeo Ghana National Park: Confluence of Banas and Chambal
3. Kolleru Lake: Confluence of Musi and Krishna
Which of the above pairs is/are correctly matched?

With reference to ‘Global Environment Facility’, which of the following statements is/are correct? (2014)

Which one of the following is associated with the issue of control and phasing out of the use of ozone-depleting substances? (2015)

What is the Rio+20 Conference, often mentioned in the news? (2015)

The Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee is constituted under the (2015)

With reference to the Agreement at the UNFCCC Meeting in Paris in 2015, which of the following statements is/are correct? (2016)
1. The Agreement was signed by all the member countries of the UN and it will go into effect in 2017.
2. The Agreement aims to limit greenhouse gas emissions so that the rise in average global temperature by the end of this century does not exceed 2 degrees C or even 1.5 degrees C above pre-industrial levels.
3. Developed countries acknowledged their historical responsibility in global warming and committed to donate $1000 billion a year from 2020 to help developing countries to cope with climate change.
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Consider the following statements: (2016)
1. The Sustainable Development Goals were first proposed in 1972 by a global think tank called the ‘Club of Rome’.
2. The Sustainable Development Goals have to be achieved by 2030.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

What is/are the importance/ importances of the ‘United Convention to Combat Desertification’? (2016)
1. It aims to promote effective action through innovative national programmes and supportive international partnerships
2. It has a special/particular focus on South Asia and North Africa regions, and its Secretariat facilitates the allocation of major portions of financial resources to these regions.
3. It is committed to a bottom-up approach, encouraging the participation of local people in combating the desertification.
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Consider the following pairs: (2016)
Terms sometimes seen in the news: Their origin
1. Annex-I Countries: Cartagena Protocol
2. Certified Emissions Reductions: Nagoya Protocol
3. Clean Development Mechanisms: Kyoto Protocol
Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched?

With reference to an initiative called ‘The Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity (TEEB)’, which of the following statements is/are correct? (2016)
1. It is an initiative hosted by UNEP, IMF and World Economic Forum.
2. It is a global initiative that focuses on drawing attention to the economic benefits of biodiversity.
3. It presents an approach that can help decision-makers recognize, demonstrate and capture the value of ecosystems and biodiversity.
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Which of the following statements is/are correct? (2016)
Proper design and effective implementation of UN-REDD+ Programme can significantly contribute to:
1. protection of biodiversity
2. resilience of forest ecosystems
3. poverty reduction
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With reference to ‘Agenda 21’, sometimes seen in the news, consider the following statements: (2016)
1. It is a global action plan for sustainable development.
2. It originated in the World Summit on Sustainable Development held in Johannesburg in 2002.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

In India, if a species of tortoise is declared protected under Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, what does it imply? (2017)

According to the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, which of the following animals cannot be hunted by any person except under some provisions provided by law? (2017)
1. Gharial
2. Indian wild ass
3. Wild buffalo
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How is the National Green Tribunal (NGT) different from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB)? (2018)
1. The NGT has been established by an Act whereas the CPCB has been created by an executive order of the Government.
2. The NGT provides environmental justice and helps reduce the burden of litigation in the higher courts whereas the CPCB promotes cleanliness of streams and wells, and aims to improve the quality of air in the country.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

With reference to the ‘Global Alliance for Climate-Smart Agriculture (GACSA)’, which of the following statements is/are correct? (2018)
1. GACSA is an outcome of the Climate Summit held in Paris in 2015.
2. Membership of GACSA does not create any binding obligations.
3. India was instrumental in the creation of GACSA.
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In India, ‘extended producer responsibility’ was introduced as an important feature in which of the following? (2019)

Consider the following statements: (2019)
1. As per law, the Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority exists at both National and State levels.
2. People’s participation is mandatory in the compensatory afforestation programmes carried out under the Compensatory Afforestation Fund Act, 2016.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Consider the following statements: (2019)
The Environment Protection Act, 1986 empowers the Government of India to:
1. State the requirement of public participation in the process of environmental protection, and the procedure and manner in which it is sought
2. Lay down the standards for emission or discharge of environmental pollutants from various sources
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?