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
Correct Answer
D
Neither Statement II nor Statement III is correct
Explanation
Option (C) is correct because Statement I is true (India did not sign the declaration) and Statement III accurately reflects India's concern that mandatory greenhouse gas reductions, particularly for cooling in hospitals, could undermine healthcare resilience in a developing nation. Statement II is incorrect because the COP28 Declaration on Climate and Health is a voluntary political commitment rather than a legally binding treaty, which invalidates options (a) and (b). The core concept tested is India’s strategic stance in global climate governance, specifically the trade-off between decarbonization targets and the maintenance of essential public health infrastructure.
Climate Change ConventionsCOP28 OutcomesCOP28Declaration on Climate and HealthDecarbonize health sectorHealth-care system resilienceBinding declaration