UGC NET Questions (Paper – 1)

The Glasgow Climate Pact was the first COP cover decision to explicitly mention moving away from unabated coal power and from inefficient fossil fuel subsidies. This wording linked climate mitigation directly with concrete changes in energy systems and public finance. It also recognised the need for targeted support and a just transition for poorer and vulnerable groups while pursuing these goals. Therefore, the option that highlights phase-down of unabated coal and phase-out of inefficient subsidies best captures this landmark feature of the pact. (UNFCCC)

Option A:
Option A is incorrect because COP26 did not impose an immediate worldwide legal ban on all fossil fuel use from 2022; countries retained flexibility based on national circumstances. Such a sweeping, instant ban would have been politically and economically unrealistic, and it does not appear in the actual text of the pact. This option exaggerates the ambition and misunderstands how COP decisions operate.

Option B:
Option B is correct as it reproduces the key new language of the Glasgow Climate Pact on coal and fossil fuel subsidies. It reflects the political compromise of “phase-down” rather than “phase-out” for coal and focuses on inefficient subsidies, which parties agreed must be reformed. This formulation is widely cited as a historic first in the UNFCCC process and directly addresses structural drivers of emissions.

Option C:
Option C is incorrect because the pact does not endorse expanding coal-fired power to 2050; instead, it recognises that coal use needs to decline for mitigation. Supporting additional coal capacity would be inconsistent with pathways compatible with the 1.5°C goal and is not part of the agreement.

Option D:
Option D is wrong since the 1.5°C temperature limit was reaffirmed, not removed. Glasgow decisions emphasised “keeping 1.5°C within reach” and called for narrowing the gap between current pledges and the emission reductions needed to achieve that target, so this option misrepresents the outcome.

For the first time in a COP cover decision, the Glasgow Climate Pact explicitly mentioned coal and fossil fuel subsidies. It called on countries to accelerate efforts to phase down unabated coal power and phase out inefficient subsidies, recognising their role in driving emissions. This language, although less stringent than some had demanded, signalled a shift towards directly addressing fossil fuel use within climate agreements.

Option A:
This option overstates the decision; COP26 did not impose an immediate, total fossil fuel ban starting 2022, which would have been politically infeasible.

Option B:
This option correctly reflects the negotiated wording on coal and subsidies and connects it to the broader 1.5°C mitigation effort.

Option C:
The pact does not endorse long-term coal expansion; instead, it points towards reducing coal reliance, especially when unabated.

Option D:
The 1.5°C limit was reaffirmed rather than deleted, so this description is inaccurate.

Statements A, B, C, D and F are correct on taxes, subsidies, permits, policy mixes and valuation. Statement E is wrong because economic instruments are intended to reduce pollution when designed well. Therefore A, B, C, D and F only is correct.

Option A:
Option A is incomplete because it omits F.

Option B:
Option B is correct because it includes A, B, C, D and F and excludes E.

Option C:
Option C is incorrect because it includes E (false).

Option D:
Option D is incorrect because it includes E (false) and omits C.

Statements C and D are wrong, whereas A and B correctly describe carbon taxes and emissions trading. Market-based instruments are important but usually need to be complemented by regulations, technology policies and behavioural measures, so they are not always sufficient on their own. Fossil fuel subsidies in fact encourage continued use of high-carbon fuels and hinder transitions to low-carbon systems. Therefore, the wrong statements are C and D together.

Option A:
Option A is incorrect because it picks C only and ignores D, even though fossil fuel subsidies also contradict the idea of low-carbon transition. Selecting only C fails to identify all wrong statements.

Option B:
Option B is correct as it recognises that both C and D misrepresent mitigation policies. It acknowledges the complementary role of regulatory instruments and notes that fossil fuel subsidies are inconsistent with climate goals. This combination therefore matches the requirement to select the wrong statement or statements.

Option C:
Option C is incorrect because it includes B, C and D as wrong. Statement B is actually correct in explaining how cap-and-trade systems work, so grouping it with the wrong statements makes this option invalid.

Option D:
Option D is incorrect since it singles out D only as wrong and treats C as correct. Accepting C would imply that market instruments alone make regulations redundant, which is not supported by climate policy practice.