Question 69 from UPSC CSE 2016 - Environment

Question

What is 'Greenhouse Gas Protocol'?

IASCODEX · Accepted Answer

Correct Option: A. It is an international accounting tool for government and business leaders to understand, quantify and manage greenhouse gas emissions.

Strategy: Identify the correct definition of 'Greenhouse Gas Protocol' by understanding that 'protocol' refers to a standard or accounting framework. Evaluate each option:

- Option (a) describes an international accounting tool for quantifying and managing emissions, which aligns with the definition of a protocol.
- Option (b) describes a financial incentive, not an accounting protocol.
- Option (c) describes an inter-governmental treaty, which is different from a measurement standard.
- Option (d) links the protocol to a specific, narrow initiative (REDD+), which is inaccurate.

Select option (a) as the most accurate description.

Key Info: The Greenhouse Gas Protocol (GHG Protocol) is a globally recognized standard for measuring, managing, and reporting greenhouse gas emissions.

*   **Development:** It was jointly developed by the World Resources Institute (WRI) and the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD).
*   **Purpose:** It provides a comprehensive, standardized framework for companies, organizations, and governments to quantify and manage their GHG emissions.
*   **Key Standards:** The GHG Protocol offers various standards, including:
    *   **Corporate Standard:** For reporting an organization's GHG emissions.
    *   **Scope 3 Standard:** For accounting and reporting indirect value chain emissions.
    *   **Product Standard:** For assessing the life cycle GHG emissions of products.
    *   **Project Protocol:** For quantifying the GHG reductions from specific projects.
*   **Impact:** It is widely used internationally by businesses, non-profits, and governments as the foundation for GHG accounting and climate reporting initiatives, supporting climate action and transparency.

IASCODEX · Answer

Option B: It is an initiative of the United Nations to offer financial incentives to developing countries to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and to adopt eco-friendly technologies

IASCODEX · Answer

Option C: It is an inter-governmental agreement ratified by all the member countries of the United Nations to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to specified levels by the year 2022

IASCODEX · Answer

Option D: It is one of the multilateral REDD+ initiatives hosted by the World Bank