Q. Consider the following statements:

Statement I: At the 28th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28), India refrained from signing the Declaration on Climate and Health'.
Statement II: The COP28 Declaration on Climate and Health is a binding declaration; and if signed, it becomes mandatory to decarbonize health sector.
Statement III: If India's health sector is decarbonized, the resilience of its health-care system may be compromised.

Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

(a) Both Statement II and Statement III are correct and both of them explain Statement I
(b) Both Statement II and Statement III are correct but only one of them explains Statement I
(c) Only one of the Statements II and III is correct and that explains Statement I
(d) Neither Statement II nor Statement III is correct

12. निम्नलिखित कथनों पर विचार कीजिए:

कथन I :
28वें संयुक्त राष्ट्र जलवायु परिवर्तन सम्मेलन (COP28) में, भारत ने 'जलवायु और स्वास्थ्य विषयक घोषणा' पर हस्ताक्षर नहीं किया।

कथन II :
COP28 जलवायु और स्वास्थ्य विषयक घोषणा एक बाध्यकर घोषणा है; और इस पर हस्ताक्षर कर देने पर स्वास्थ्य सेक्टर का विकार्बनन करना अधिदेशात्मक हो जाता है।

कथन III:
यदि भारत के स्वास्थ्य सेक्टर का विकार्बनन किया जाए, तो इसकी स्वास्थ्य - देखभाल प्रणाली के लचीलेपन पर संकट आ सकता है।

उपर्युक्त कथनों के बारे में निम्नलिखित में से कौन-सा एक सही है?

(a) कथन II और कथन III दोनों सही है तथा वे दोनों कथन I की व्याख्या करते हैं
(b) कथन II और कथन III दोनों सही है किन्तु उनमें से केवल एक, कथन I की व्याख्या करता है
(c) कथन II और कथन III में से केवल एक सही है तथा वह कथन I की व्याख्या करता है
(d) न तो कथन II और न ही कथन III सही है

Correct Answer: (c)

Explanation:

Statement I is correct:

India did not sign the COP28 Declaration on Climate and Health.

• At COP28 (held in 2023 in Dubai), a Declaration on Climate and Health was launched to emphasize the connection between climate change and public health.
• India was among the countries that refrained from signing this declaration.

Statement II is incorrect:

The COP28 Declaration on Climate and Health is not a binding declaration.

• The declaration is voluntary and non-binding, meaning countries are not legally required to implement its commitments.
• Such international climate and health declarations generally function as soft law, reflecting intent and cooperation rather than enforceable obligations.

Statement III is correct:

India expressed concerns that decarbonizing the health sector could affect the resilience of its healthcare system.

• India argued that restrictions related to greenhouse gas reduction, especially for cooling and energy requirements in healthcare, could impact the delivery of medical services.
• This concern is particularly relevant for remote and underserved regions, where reliable healthcare infrastructure remains a priority.

Relation between the Statements

• Statement I is correct because India refrained from signing the declaration at COP28.
• Statement II is incorrect because the declaration is not legally binding.
• Statement III is correct and helps explain Statement I, as India cited concerns over healthcare resilience and operational requirements.
• Only one of the Statements II and III is correct and that explains Statement I.

Therefore, the correct answer is (c).

Source :

https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/india/india-refrains-from-signing-cop28-health-climate-declaration/articleshow/105708466.cms

https://www.who.int/publications/m/item/cop28-uae-declaration-on-climate-and-health