Question 25 from UPSC CSE 2015 - Environment

Question

Which one of the following is associated with the issue of control and phasing out of the use of ozone-depleting substances?

IASCODEX · Accepted Answer

Correct Option: B. Montreal Protocol

Strategy: Identify the core topic of the question as controlling ozone-depleting substances. Select the 'Montreal Protocol' as the only option directly related to this topic. Eliminate the other options based on their distinct subjects: Bretton Woods (finance), Kyoto Protocol (greenhouse gases), and Nagoya Protocol (genetic resources).

Key Info: The Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer (1987) is an international treaty under the Vienna Convention (1985), dedicated specifically to eliminating or reducing the production and consumption of ozone-depleting substances (ODS) such as chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), halons, and other chemicals. This protocol is comprehensive, with legally binding targets and timetables for phasing out ODS, and is considered a highly successful global environmental effort.

**Other Related Protocols**
- The Bretton Woods Conference (1944) established the IMF and World Bank, focusing on financial and economic stability, unrelated to environmental treaties.
- The Kyoto Protocol (1997) is related to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions to mitigate climate change under the UNFCCC, not directly addressing ozone depletion.
- The Nagoya Protocol (2010) is a supplementary agreement to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) regarding access to genetic resources and the fair sharing of benefits, not about ozone or atmospheric chemicals.

The Vienna Convention and Montreal Protocol together form the international legal framework for ozone layer protection. The effectiveness of the Montreal Protocol is widely acknowledged, with recovery of the ozone layer projected by the middle of the 21st century if current policies are maintained.

IASCODEX · Answer

Option A: Bretton Woods Conference

IASCODEX · Answer

Option C: Kyoto Protocol

IASCODEX · Answer

Option D: Nagoya Protocol