Consider the following statements with reference to India’s response to climate change:

1. India’s Long-Term Low Emission Development Strategy (LT-LEDS) is a crucial tool for achieving net-zero emissions by 2070.
2. India’s 4th Biennial Update Report (BUR-4) submitted in December, 2024 recorded around 8% decrease in Greenhouse gas emissions in 2020 over 2019.
3. Climate-resilient development necessarily depends on quick and short-term achievement of emission reduction targets.

Which of the following relationships among the above statements is/are correct?

1. Statement I is empirically supported by statement II.
2. Statement III contradicts the approach implicit in statement I.
3. Statement I and statement III together establish the premise of long-term sustainability.

Select the answer using the code given below:

1. 1 only
2. 1 and 2
3. 2 and 3
4. 3 only

Explanation

Relationship 1 is correct

• BUR-4 data recording a 7.93% decrease in GHG emissions in 2020 provides empirical evidence consistent with India’s long-term emission reduction trajectory under LT-LEDS. India’s Long-Term Low Emission Development Strategy (LT-LEDS) is the country’s official long-term roadmap for achieving net-zero emissions by 2070. It was submitted to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) during the COP27 held at Sharm el-Sheikh in November 2022.
• India’s LT-LEDS outlines seven major strategic transitions:
  • Low-carbon development of the electricity sector in line with developmental needs.
  • Creation of an integrated, efficient, inclusive and low-carbon transport system.
  • Promotion of climate-resilient urban design, energy and material efficiency in buildings, and sustainable urbanisation.
  • Economy-wide decoupling of economic growth from emissions through an efficient, innovative and low-emission industrial system.
  • Promotion of CO₂ removal technologies and related engineering solutions.
  • Expansion of forest and vegetation cover in harmony with socio-economic and ecological considerations.
  • Strengthening the economic and financial framework required for low-carbon development and the long-term transition towards net-zero emissions by 2070.

Relationship 2 is correct

• Statement I implies a long-term, gradual approach to net-zero by 2070. Statement III argues for quick, short-term targets. These two approaches directly contradict each other.

Relationship 3 is incorrect

• Since Statements I and III contradict each other, they cannot together establish any shared premise, including long-term sustainability.

Answer: (b) 1 and 2; Difficulty Level: Easy