Question 25 from UPSC CSE 2024 - Current Affairs (Environm ent)

Question

Consider the following statements:
1. The European Parliament approved The Net-Zero Industry Act recently.
2. The European Union intends to achieve carbon neutrality by 2040 and therefore aims to develop all of its own clean technology by that time.
Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

Accepted Answer

Correct Option: C. Statement-I is correct, but Statement-II is incorrect

Strategy: Check for recency and specific factual targets. Statement I involves legislative developments—the Net-Zero Industry Act—recently approved, fitting current European policy moves. Scrutinize the second statement for accuracy of target years: the EU's official carbon neutrality goal is 2050, not 2040. Identify this clear factual discrepancy to reject Statement II, confirming only Statement I is correct.

Key Info: The Net-Zero Industry Act is a legislative initiative by the European Union designed to accelerate domestic manufacturing of key net-zero technologies—such as solar panels, batteries, heat pumps, and carbon capture—essential for achieving climate targets. It sets a goal for the EU to domestically produce at least 40% of its annual needs in key clean technologies by 2030, strengthening economic competitiveness and reducing reliance on non-EU suppliers, as outlined in EU's National Energy and Climate Plans (NECPs). The legislation was formally approved by the European Parliament in 2024.

The European Union has publicly committed, through its European Green Deal and supporting legislation, to reach climate neutrality (net-zero greenhouse gas emissions) by 2050. Intermediate goals include at least a 55% cut in emissions by 2030 compared to 1990 levels. The 2040 year mentioned in the second statement is inaccurate; 2050 is the stipulated target for economy-wide carbon neutrality, and there is no EU policy mandating development of all clean technologies purely indigenously by 2040. The EU's climate-related statutory instruments include the European Climate Law and Fit for 55 package. The European Parliament is the directly elected legislative body of the EU, responsible for approving EU-wide directives, regulations, and acts such as the Net-Zero Industry Act.

Answer

Option A: Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II explains Statement-I

Answer

Option B: Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct, but Statement-II does not explain Statement-I

Answer

Option D: Statement-I is incorrect, but Statement-II is correct