Consider the following statements:
- Statement I: Article 6 of the Paris Agreement on climate change is frequently discussed in global discussions on sustainable development and climate change.
- Statement II: Article 6 of the Paris Agreement on climate change sets out the principles of carbon markets.
- Statement III: Article 6 of the Paris Agreement on climate change intends to promote inter-country non-market strategies to reach their climate targets.
Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?
Answer & explanation
Answer: (a) Both Statement II and Statement III are correct and both of them explain Statement I
Article 6 is the Paris Agreement's provision on voluntary cooperation between countries. It covers market approaches (carbon-market rules) and non-market approaches, so II and III are both true. Because it is the Agreement's route for cross-border carbon trading and other cooperation, it features regularly in climate and sustainable-development talks, which is what Statement I says; II and III explain that.
- ✓ Statement I Article 6 deals with international cooperation on carbon markets and non-market approaches, so it is a regular subject in climate and sustainable-development negotiations.
- ✓ Statement II Article 6.2 lays down the principles for voluntary cooperative approaches that transfer mitigation outcomes between countries (sustainable development, environmental integrity, transparency, robust accounting), and 6.4 sets up a mechanism for emission reductions.
- ✓ Statement III Article 6.8 recognises non-market approaches that help countries implement their nationally determined contributions, and 6.9 defines a framework to promote them.
Remember · Article 6 of the Paris Agreement: 6.2 = voluntary cooperative approaches (internationally transferred mitigation outcomes), 6.4 = a mitigation mechanism under COP/CMA authority, 6.8 = non-market approaches.
Sources
- UNFCCC: Paris Agreement (English text), Article 6.2 ↗ “Parties shall, where engaging on a voluntary basis in cooperative approaches that involve the use of internationally transferred mitigation outcomes towards nationally determined contributions, promote sustainable development and ensure environmental integrity and transparency … Parties recognize the importance of integrated, holistic and balanced non-market approaches being available to Parties to assist in the implementation of their nationally determined contributions, in the context of sustainable development and poverty eradication”
Question and answer: UPSC's official GS Paper I (2025, Series A) — paper ↗ · answer key ↗. Explanation: Minimalist IAS, checked 30 Sept 2026 (how we verify). ·