Theme T125 · International Relations

Global climate regime & India's commitments: Kyoto, Paris, COP26, ISA, CCUS

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What UPSC asks

A frequent cross-paper theme: India's Paris commitments and how COP26 strengthened them, the 2022 NDC update, COP26 outcomes, Kyoto and greenhouse gas control, the Green Grid Initiative and ISA, carbon credits and CDM, CCUS, and India's changing stance in climate fora.

Prepare these

• UNFCCC → Kyoto → Paris: CBDR-RC
• India's NDCs (2015, updated 2022) and Panchamrit (COP26)
• COP26: Glasgow Pact, coal phase-down
• ISA, OSOWOG, GGI
• Carbon markets: CDM to Article 6, India's Carbon Credit Trading Scheme
• CCUS: technology and role

Answer writing

• Use dates and targets accurately; show India's evolving position

Directive words in these PYQs: Mention (2), Describe (2), Discuss (2), Explain (2).

Linked themes

Builds on: study these first

These come earlier in the roadmap. Questions in this theme use them.

Comes back later in

Later themes that take this one further.

On the map

Syllabus lines covered

• GS2-L20 — Important International institutions, agencies and fora- their structure, mandate.
• GS3-L14 — Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment

All 7 PYQs, newest first

1. GS3202510 marks · 150 wordsGS3-ENV-03-M2025-Q07

   What is Carbon Capture, Utilization and Storage (CCUS)? What is the potential role of CCUS in tackling climate change?

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2. GS3202515 marks · 250 wordsGS3-ENV-03-M2025-Q18

   Write a review on India's climate commitments under the Paris Agreement (2015) and mention how these have been further strengthened in COP26 (2021). In this direction, how has the first Nationally Determined Contribution intended by India been updated in 2022?

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3. GS2202215 marks · 250 wordsGS2-IR-06-M2022-Q20

   ‘Clean energy is the order of the day’. Describe briefly India’s changing policy towards climate change in various international fora in the context of geopolitics.

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4. GS3202215 marks · 250 wordsGS3-ENV-03-M2022-Q17

   Discuss global warming and mention its effects on global climate. Explain the control measures to bring down the level of greenhouse gases which cause global warming, in the light of Kyoto Protocol, 1997.

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5. GS32021GS3-ENV-03-M2021-S01

   Explain the purpose of the Green Grid Initiative launched at World Leaders Summit of the COP26 UN Climate Change Conference in Glasgow in November, 2021. When was this idea first floated in the International Solar Alliance (ISA)?

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6. GS32021GS3-ENV-03-M2021-S02

   Describe the major outcomes of the 26th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). What are the commitments made by India in this conference?

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7. GS32014GS3-ENV-03-M2014-S01

   Should the pursuit of carbon credits and clean development mechanisms set up under UNFCCC-be maintained even though there has been a massive slide in the value of a carbon credit? Discuss with respect to India’s energy needs for economic growth.

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