Answer: B

Explanation:

After the Vienna Conference, the Montreal Protocol was signed on 16 September 1987, in which 24 industrial countries of the world, except India, China and Brazil, signed the Montreal Agreement. Under this, developed countries were directed to stop the production and use of CFCs by the year 2000. Developing countries were given time till 2010. There was a directive to completely ban the use of CFCs. A provision was also made to provide loans to developing countries as an alternative to CFCs. The Earth Summit of 1992, the Kyoto Conference of 1997 and the implementation of the Kyoto Treaty in 2005 are important steps towards ozone protection. However, global consensus has not been reached on the Kyoto Protocol. Despite this, the use of CFCs has decreased. With successive amendments to the Montreal Protocol, the use of CFCs steadily declined and HFCs began to be used as its alternative. The use of CFC was replaced by about 98 percent. This reduced ozone depletion. HFCs are considered ozone-friendly. But they increase global warming. The Kigali Agreement in 2016 stipulates a phase-out of the use and emissions of HFCs.

Answer: C

Explanation:

CITES stands for the Protection of International Trade in Endangered Species. It was agreed upon in the Washington Conference of 1973, but it came into force in 1976. It is the world's largest wildlife conservation agreement. It prohibits international trade in animals and their parts etc. CITES also instructs various nations to control animal trade in their country. India joined CITES in the year 1976. At present, it has 183 members. Species have been divided into three appendixes based on the regulation of CITES. Hence, statements 1 and 2 both are correct.

Answer: B

Explanation:

In October 2016, 197 countries signed a historic agreement in Kigali, Rwanda to reduce the emission of greenhouse gases (GHGs) of the hydro-fluorocarbon (HFC) category. It aims to reduce global warming by 0.5 degree Celsius by the year 2100. The Kigali Agreement amends the 1987 Montreal Protocol, which only covered gases responsible for ozone depletion, to also include gases responsible for global warming. The amended Montreal Protocol will become binding on member countries from 2019. India signed and ratified the Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer in 1991 and the Montreal Protocol on Ozone Depleting Substances in 1992. Hence, option (b) is correct.

Answer: A

Explanation:

Carbon tax is an environmental tax imposed on CO2 emissions. On September 10, 2009, France announced the imposition of a carbon tax to curb greenhouse gas emissions. This is effective from tax year 2010. Its rate will be 17 euros (25 US dollars) per ton of CO₂. Hence, statement 1 is correct.

France is by far the largest economy where this type of tax will be imposed. The known carbon tax was first imposed by Finland in 1990. After this, in 1990 itself, Netherlands and Norway also imposed this tax. This tax has been in effect in Sweden since January 1, 1991. Italy, New Zealand, Slovenia are other countries where carbon tax is implemented. Carbon tax is also being imposed in India. Hence, statement 2 is incorrect.

Answer: B

Explanation:

The National Green Tribunal Act came into force on October 18, 2010. The National Green Tribunal Act was established for the effective and expeditious disposal of cases relating to environmental protection and conservation of forests and other natural resources, including matters relating to the enforcement of any laws or rights relating to environment and for the award of relief and compensation for damages to persons or property or for matters connected therewith or in connection with the same. Hence, option (b) is correct.