Unit VIII · Topic 2International environmental law and UN Conferences – Previous Year Questions

25 previous year questions on International environmental law and UN Conferences from UGC NET Law papers (2012–2026), including 3 match-the-list questions. The correct option is marked in green.

Questions

25 questions

2012

The concept of sustainable development contains which of the following essentials?

  1. (a)The precautionary principle
  2. (b)The polluter pays principle
  3. (c)The doctrine of public trust
  4. (d)All above✓
Answer & explanation

Ans. (d) : Sustainable development is development that meets the needs of the present generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. The concept of sustainable development includes the following essential elements:

(a) Precautionary principle

(b) Polluter pays principle

(c) Doctrine of public trust

2013

The Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981 and the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, were passed by the Parliament under:

  1. (a)Article 252 of the Constitution of India
  2. (b)Article 253 of the Constitution of India✓
  3. (c)Article 250 of the Constitution of India
  4. (d)None of the above
Answer & explanation

Ans. (b) : Under Article 253 of the Indian Constitution, the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act 1981 and the Environment Protection Act 1986 were passed to give effect to international agreements.

2013

The United Nations proclaimed which of the following day as the "International Drinking Water Supply and Sanitation Decade"?

  1. (a)10th Nov. 1980✓
  2. (b)12th Sept. 1980
  3. (c)10th Nov. 1990
  4. (d)12th Sept. 1990
Answer & explanation

Ans. (a) : On 10 November 1980, the United Nations proclaimed it as the International Drinking Water Supply and Sanitation Decade.

2013

On which date & place the Earth Summit was held at?

  1. (a)6th June 1997 at Geneva
  2. (b)20th June 1997 at London
  3. (c)21st June 1992 at Rio✓
  4. (d)27th June 1992 at Rio
Answer & explanation

Ans. (c) : The Earth Summit was held on 21 June 1992 at Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Its purpose was to save the earth which is getting polluted due to pollution in the environment.

"In case of violation of Article 21 by disturbing the environment, the court could award damages not only for the restoration of the ecological balance but also for the victim who have suffered due to that disturbance."

2016

Which one of the conference is regarded as "Water Shed" in the field of Environment that enables the international community and institutions to work without being bothered by the principle of State Sovereignty?

  1. (a)Stockholm Conference✓
  2. (b)Bali Conference
  3. (c)Copenhagen Conference
  4. (d)RIO Conference
Answer & explanation

Ans. (a) : The United Nations Stockholm Conference on Human Environment was held from 5 June 1972 to 16 June 1972. This conference is considered very important in the field of environment, which enables international community and institutions to work without caring about the principle of sovereignty of the state. In this conference, 119 countries accepted the principle of "One Earth" for the first time.

Bali Conference - From 3-14 December 2007, a global conference on climate change was organized on the Bali island of Indonesia under the auspices of the United Nations. The objective of this conference was to make a worldwide agreement on the matter of cutting emissions of green house gases.

Copenhagen Conference - From 7-8 December 2009, the United Nations Conference on Climate Change was held in Copenhagen, the capital of Denmark. In the prepared agreement letter, all the countries were urged to declare the target of cutting their carbon by the end of January 2010.

Rio Conference - In 1992, 182 countries of the world organized the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. It is also called United Nations Conference on Environment and Development. In this conference, Agenda 21 was presented and UNFCCC was adopted.

UNFCCC = United Nations conference on Environment and Development.

Agenda-21 is a comprehensive action plan for sustainable development.

2017

One of the following International Convention is not related to wild life conservation. Give the correct answer:

  1. (a)Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora
  2. (b)Convention on Environmental Impact Assessment in Transboundary Context✓
  3. (c)Convention on Migratory Species of Wild Animals
  4. (d)Convention on Internation Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources
Answer & explanation

Ans. (b) : Out of the above options, the Convention on Environmental Impact Assessment in Transboundary Context is not related to wild life conservation.

2017

The Montreal Protocol is related to

  1. (a)Transboundary Air pollution
  2. (b)Ozone Layer✓
  3. (c)Climate change
  4. (d)hazardous waste
Answer & explanation

Ans. (b) : The Montreal Protocol is related to the Ozone Layer. It was signed on 16 September 1987 and came into force on 26 August 1989. This protocol is for the protection of the ozone layer. Its first meeting was held in Helsinki.

2017

Which one of the following principle is associated with "Trial Smelter" case?

  1. (a)Principle of sustainable development
  2. (b)No state has a right to use or permit the use of its territory so as to cause injury by fumes in the territory of another✓
  3. (c)Redemption of the damaged environment is a part of the process of sustainable development
  4. (d)Placing a duty on the State to hold environmental resources in trust for the benefit of public
Answer & explanation

Ans. (b) : In the Trail-Smelter case, this principle was propounded that no nation has the right to use its territory in such a way or to permit its use, that it harms the territory of another by smoke.

2018

Bonn Convention is associated with:

  1. (a)Convention on International Trade in Endangered species
  2. (b)International Whaling Convention
  3. (c)Convention on Migratory species✓
  4. (d)Convention on Nature and Natural Resources
Answer & explanation

Ans. (c) : "Bonn Convention" is a conference based on the conservation of migratory species of wild animals which is an inter-governmental organization. Its headquarter is in Bonn, Germany. It was established in 1979 and its enforcement took place on 1 November 1983.

2019

How many core principles are laid down in United Nations Declaration of Permanent Sovereignty over Natural Resources?

  1. (a)Five core principles
  2. (b)Six core principles
  3. (c)Seven core principles
  4. (d)Eight core principles✓
Answer & explanation

Ans. (d) : The General Assembly of the United Nations passed this declaration by resolution. On 14 December 1962, this declaration was passed by 87 votes. It contains eight core principles in total.

June 2020 · Q7

The legally binding limit to carbon emission was laid down in

  1. (a)Kyoto Protocol on Global Warming, 1997✓
  2. (b)Copenhagen Summit on Climate Change, 2009
  3. (c)Durban Conference on Climate Change, 2009
  4. (d)Lima Conference on Climate Change
Answer & explanation

Answer: (a) Kyoto Protocol on Global Warming, 1997

June 2020 · Q19Sequence / order

Arrange the initiatives on climate change in chronological order

(A) Durban conference on climate change

(B) Montreal protocol on climate change

(C) Vienna convention on climate change

(D) Copenhagen summit on climate chnage

(E) Kyoto protocol on climate change

Choose the correct answer from the options given below

  1. (a)(A), (B), (C), (D), (E)
  2. (b)(B), (C), (D), (E), (A)
  3. (c)(A), (D), (C), (B), (E)
  4. (d)(C), (B), (E), (D), (A)✓
Answer & explanation

Answer: (d) (C), (B), (E), (D), (A)

June 2020 · Q86

The Commission on Sustainable Development was estabilished in which year?

  1. (a)1972
  2. (b)1982
  3. (c)1992✓
  4. (d)2002
Answer & explanation

Answer: (c) 1992

Dec 2020/June 2021 · Q35

The preamble to both Environment (Protection) Act and Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act were passed to implement the decision reached in one of the following

  1. (a)San Francisco Conference, 1945 , 1945
  2. (b)United nations Conference on Environment and Development, 1992
  3. (c)United Nations Conference on the Human Environment, 1972✓
  4. (d)United Nations Conference on Environment, 1982
Answer & explanation

Answer: (c) United Nations Conference on the Human Environment, 1972

Dec 2020/June 2021 · Q58Sequence / order

Arrange the following in chronological order

(1) United Nation Conference on the Human Environment

(2) United Nation Conference on Sustainable Development

(3) United Nations Conference on Environment and Development

(4) World Commission on Environment and Development

(5) United Nations Sustainable Development

Choose the correct answer from the options given below

  1. (a)(1), (2), (3), (4), (5)
  2. (b)(2), (1), (4), (3), (5)
  3. (c)(1), (4), (3), (2), (5)✓
  4. (d)(5), (4), (2), (3), (1)
Answer & explanation

Answer: (c) (1), (4), (3), (2), (5)

Dec 2021/June 2022 · Q11Match the lists

Match List–I with List-II

I -II

List-I/I List-II

A. Bonn Convention I. Protection of the Ozone layer

B. Vienna Convention II. Control of Trans boundary movements of hazardous wastes and their disposal

C. Basel convention III. Conservation of migratory species of wild animals

D. Rotterdam Convention IV. Prior informed consent procedure for certain hazarduous chemicals and pesticides in international trade

Choose the correct answer from the options given below

  1. (a)A - II, B – I, C - IV, D - III
  2. (b)A - III, B - I, C- II, D - IV✓
  3. (c)A - IV, B - II, C- I, D - III
  4. (d)A - I, B - II, C - III, D - IV
Answer & explanation

Answer: (b) A - III, B - I, C- II, D - IV

Dec 2021/June 2022 · Q30Sequence / order

Arrange the following Protocols/Declarations in the correct chronological sequence

(A) Kyoto Protocol

(B) Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety

(C) Montreal Protocol

(D) Nagoya Protocol

(E) Rio Declaration on Environment and Development

Choose the correct answer from the option given below

  1. (a)E, A, B, C, D
  2. (b)E, B, C, D, A
  3. (c)E, C, A, B, D
  4. (d)E, D, C, B, A
Answer & explanation

Answer: no single key (NTA dropped this question or changed its answer key)

Dec 2021/June 2022 · Q63

Read the following principles of the Rio Declaration on Environment and Development (1992) and select the correct answer from the given options

(A) Principle 1: Human beings are at the centre of concerns for sustainable development

(B) Principle 16 : In order to protect the environment, the precautionary approach shall be widely applied by states according to their capabilities

(C) Principle 14 : Environmental impact Assessment shall be undertaken for proposed activities that are likely to have a significant adverse impact on the environment

(D) Principle 20 : Women have a vital role in environmental management and development

(E) Principle 24 : Peace, development and environmental protection are interdependent and indivisible

Choose the correct answer from the option given below

  1. (a)A and D only✓
  2. (b)B and C only
  3. (c)C and E only
  4. (d)B and E only
Answer & explanation

Answer: (a) A and D only

Dec 2021/June 2022 · Q67Match the lists

Match List-I with List -II

I -II

List-I/I List-II

A. Ramsar Convention I. 1992

B. Convention on Biological Diversity

C. Minamata Convention III. 1991

D. The United Nations Convention to combat Desertification/s IV. 2013

Choose the correct answer from the options given below

  1. (a)A - III, B – II, C - IV, D - I
  2. (b)A - IV, B - II, C- III, D - I
  3. (c)A - III, B - I, C- IV, D - II
  4. (d)A - II, B - I, C - IV, D - III
Answer & explanation

Answer: no single key (NTA dropped this question or changed its answer key)

Dec 2021/June 2022 · Q90

Select the right answer from the given options

(A) COP 26 : Glasgow Climate Change Conference

(B) COP 25 : Lima Climate Change Conference

(C) COP 24 : Marrakesh Climate Change Conferecne

(D) COP 22 : Katowice Climate Change Conference

(E) COP 21 : Paris Climate Change Conference

Choose the correct answer from the option given below

  1. (a)A, and E only✓
  2. (b)B and C only
  3. (c)B and D only
  4. (d)C and D only
Answer & explanation

Answer: (a) A, and E only

June 2023 · Q72

Under which of the following principles is the "Polluter Pays Principle" is envisaged?

“o hes]pe ?

  1. (a)Principle 15, Earth Summit, 1992 15 , 1992
  2. (b)Principle 1 & 2, Stockholm Declaration, 1972 1 2, , 1972
  3. (c)Principle 16, Rio Declaration, 1992 16, , 1992✓
  4. (d)Principle 5, Rio Declaration, 1992 5 , 1992
Answer & explanation

Answer: (c) Principle 16, Rio Declaration, 1992 16, , 1992

December 2023 · Q56Sequence / order

Arrange the following UN Conventions in their chronological order

(A) UN Convention on Biological Diversity

(B) UN Convention on Climate Change

(C) UN Convention Against Transnational Crimes

(D) UN Convention on the Rights of the Child

(E) UN Convention onon Jurisdictional Immunities of States and their property

Choose the correct answer from the options given below

  1. (a)(B), (C), (D), (E), (A)
  2. (b)(A), (D), (E), (C), (B)
  3. (c)(D), (B), (C), (E), (A)
  4. (d)(A), (D), (C), (B), (E)
Answer & explanation

Answer: no single key (NTA dropped this question or changed its answer key)

December 2024 · Q120Match the lists

Match List - I with List - II

List -I (Conference/Treaty/Convention/Protocol)

List - II (Year)

(A) UN Conference on Environment and Development 1987

(B) Kyoto Conference on Global Warming (II) 1992

(C) Paris Agreement (пп) 1997

(D) Montreal Protocol (IV) 2015

Choose the correct answer from the options given below

  1. (a)(A)-(II), (B)-(III), (C)-(IV), (D)-(1)✓
  2. (b)(A)-(II), (B)-(IV), (C)-(III), (D)-(1)
  3. (c)(A)-(II), (B)-(IV), (C)-(I), (D)-(III)
  4. (d)(A)-(I), (B)-(II), (C)-(IV), (D)-(III)
Answer & explanation

Answer: (a) (A)-(II), (B)-(III), (C)-(IV), (D)-(1)

June 2026 · Q100

The UN Conference on Human Environment held at Stockholm in 1972 incorporates "Assimilative Capacity Principle" under which of the following Principle?

  1. (a)Principle 6✓
  2. (b)Principle 9
  3. (c)Principle 13
  4. (d)Principle 14
Answer & explanation

Answer: (a) Principle 6

Explanation: Principle 6 of the landmark 1972 Stockholm Declaration on the Human Environment incorporates the Assimilative Capacity Principle, stating:

"The discharge of toxic substances or of other substances and the release of heat, in such quantities or concentrations as to exceed the capacity of the environment to render them harmless, must be halted in order to ensure that serious or irreversible damage is not inflicted upon ecosystems."

June 2026 · Q107

"The women have a vital role in environment management and development and full participation of women is essential to active sustainable development" was laid down in which one of the following Principle of Rio Declaration, 1992?

  1. (a)Principle 20✓
  2. (b)Principle 21
  3. (c)Principle 23
  4. (d)Principle 24
Answer & explanation

Answer: (a) Principle 20

Explanation: Principle 20 of the Rio Declaration on Environment and Development (1992) explicitly addresses the role of women:

"Women have a vital role in environmental management and development. Their full participation is therefore essential to achieve sustainable development."

• Principle 21: Focuses on the creativity, ideals, and courage of the youth of the world to forge a global partnership.

• Principle 23: Focuses on protecting the environment and natural resources of people under oppression, domination, and occupation.

• Principle 24: States that warfare is inherently destructive of sustainable development.

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