Q. Consider the following statements:
Statement I:
At the 28th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28), India refrained from signing the Declaration on Climate and Health.
Statement II:
The COP28 Declaration on Climate and Health is a binding declaration; and if signed, it becomes mandatory to decarbonize the health sector.
Statement III:
If India’s health sector is decarbonized, the resilience of its health-care system may be compromised.
Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?
(a) Both Statement II and Statement III are correct and both of them explain Statement I
(b) Both Statement II and Statement III are correct but only one of them explains Statement I
(c) Only one of the Statements II and III is correct and that explains Statement I
(d) Neither Statement II nor Statement III is correct
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Answer & Explanation:
✅Correct Answer: (c) Only one of the Statements II and III is correct and that explains Statement I
Explanation:
Statement I – Correct
At COP28, India chose not to sign the Declaration on Climate and Health, which seeks to integrate climate action into national health systems and encourage climate-resilient healthcare.
Statement II – Incorrect
The declaration is non-binding in nature. It represents a voluntary political commitment, not a legal obligation. Signing it would not make it mandatory for countries to decarbonize their health sectors. Therefore, Statement II is factually incorrect.
Statement III – Correct
India’s key concern is that rapid or rigid decarbonisation of the health sector—especially in areas like cooling, power supply, and emergency services—could reduce system resilience, particularly in remote, rural, and underserved regions. This concern directly explains why India refrained from signing the declaration.
Why Other Options Are Incorrect
- Options (a) and (b) are incorrect because they treat Statement II as correct, whereas the declaration is non-binding.
- Option (d) is incorrect because Statement III is correct and provides a valid explanation for Statement I.