Consider the following statements:

1. Statement I: At the 28th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28), India refrained from signing the ‘Declaration on Climate and Health’.
2. Statement II: The COP28 Declaration on Climate and Health is a binding declaration; and if signed, it becomes mandatory to decarbonize health sector.
3. Statement III: If India’s health sector is decarbonized, the resilience of its healthcare system may be compromised.

Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

1. Both Statement II and Statement III are correct and both of them explain Statement I
2. Both Statement II and Statement III are correct but only one of them explains Statement I
3. Only one of the Statements II and III is correct and that explains Statement I
4. Neither Statement II nor Statement III is correct

Explanation

Statement I is correct

• At COP28 (Dubai), the UAE Declaration on Climate and Health was launched to integrate health into climate action. It aimed to promote sustainable practices within the health sector to contribute to broader climate goals.
• India refrained from signing the declaration.

Statement II is incorrect

• The declaration is non-binding and serves as a voluntary commitment for countries to consider health in their climate policies, but does not impose legal obligations.

Statement III is correct and explains statement I

• The declaration included reducing GHGs in healthcare infrastructure cooling applications. India expressed concerns that GHG reductions in cooling in the health sector could hinder its ability to meet growing demand for medical services, particularly in remote and underserved areas.

Answer: (c) Only one of the Statements II and III is correct, and that explains Statement I; Difficulty Level: Hard