Question
Consider the following statements with reference to India’s response to climate change:
I. India’s Long-Term Low Emission Development Strategy (LT-LEDS) is a crucial tool for achieving net-zero emissions by 2070.
II. India’s 4th Biennial Update Report (BUR-4) submitted in December 2024 recorded around 8% decrease in Greenhouse gas emissions in 2020 over 2019.
III. 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.
Explanation
India’s Long-Term Low Emission Development Strategy (LT-LEDS) provides a long-term framework for the transition of key sectors towards India’s net-zero target by 2070. However, long-term planning must be distinguished from actual short-term emission reductions.
Statement I — Correct: LT-LEDS provides a strategic framework for long-term low-emission transitions across sectors such as energy, transport, industry and forestry, supporting India’s goal of net-zero emissions by 2070.
Statement II — Incorrect: BUR-4 records an approximately 8% decline in greenhouse gas emissions in 2020 compared with 2019. However, this decline was largely due to the COVID-19 lockdowns and economic slowdown, rather than structural changes resulting from LT-LEDS. Hence, it cannot be used as evidence of the strategy’s effectiveness.
Statement III — Correct: The IPCC emphasises rapid, deep and immediate emission reductions for climate-resilient development. This highlights a tension between relying primarily on long-term strategies and the need for strong short-term action.
Therefore, Statement III contradicts the approach implicit in Statement I, making Option B correct.