UGC NET Questions (Paper – 1)

The Paris Agreement articulates a long-term global temperature goal to guide collective climate action. Parties agreed to hold the increase in global average temperature to well below 2°C above pre-industrial levels and to pursue efforts to limit the increase to 1.5°C. This goal reflects scientific assessments of thresholds beyond which climate impacts become increasingly dangerous. Hence, the statement in option A correctly summarises the central temperature goal of the agreement.

Option A:
Option A is correct because it captures both parts of the goal: the “well below 2°C” limit and the aspirational 1.5°C target. It aligns with the language negotiated and adopted by the parties.

Option B:
Option B is incorrect since the agreement cannot guarantee the absence of heat waves; it can only influence their likelihood by reducing emissions. Extreme events will still occur in a warming climate.

Option C:
Option C is incorrect because setting zero emissions by 2020 was neither realistic nor a stated objective. The agreement envisions a longer-term transition towards net-zero in the second half of the century.

Option D:
Option D is incorrect since the Paris framework expects contributions from all countries, though differentiated by national circumstances. It does not allow some countries to increase emissions indefinitely without responsibility.