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Environment & EcologyEasyAsked in: UPSC Civil Services · CSE Prelims 2022, GS Paper I

Which one of the following best describes the term "greenwashing" ?

  1. A.Conveying a false impression that a company's products are eco-friendly and environmentally sound
  2. B.Non-inclusion of ecological/ environmental costs in the Annual Financial Statements of a country
  3. C.Ignoring the disastrous ecological consequences while undertaking infrastructure development
  4. D.Making mandatory provisions for environmental costs in a government project/programme

Correct answer

A. Conveying a false impression that a company's products are eco-friendly and environmentally sound

Explanation

The correct answer is A, conveying a false impression that a company's products are eco-friendly and environmentally sound. Greenwashing is misleading green marketing. The word joins "green" with "whitewashing", which means covering up faults. A company greenwashes when it uses vague labels such as "natural" or "eco-friendly", leafy logos, selective data or big pledges to look environmentally responsible while its products or operations remain harmful. Examples include calling a product recyclable when it rarely is, or advertising a small green project while the core business pollutes heavily. Regulators now act against such claims; in India, the Central Consumer Protection Authority issued guidelines in 2024 to curb misleading environmental claims. Option B is wrong because leaving ecological costs out of national accounts is a criticism of GDP, which green accounting tries to fix. Option C is wrong because ignoring ecological damage in infrastructure work is poor environmental assessment, not greenwashing. Option D is wrong because making mandatory provisions for environmental costs is good practice, the opposite of a false claim. Exam tip: greenwashing = false or exaggerated eco-friendly claims by a company.

Practice Questions

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Q1.Environment & EcologyAsked in: UPSC Civil Services · CSE Prelims 2018, GS Paper IHard

The Partnership for Action on Green Economy (PAGE), a UN mechanism to assist countries transition towards greener and more inclusive economies, emerged at

  1. A.The Earth Summit on Sustainable Development 2002, Johannesburg
  2. B.The United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development 2012, Rio de Janeiro
  3. C.The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change 2015, Paris
  4. D.The World Sustainable Development Summit 2016, New Delhi
Show answer
Correct answer: B. The United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development 2012, Rio de Janeiro

PAGE was launched in 2013 as a direct response to the call made at the Rio+20 conference of June 2012, whose outcome document, 'The Future We Want', recognised the green economy as a tool for sustainable development and poverty eradication.

Q2.Environment & EcologyAsked in: UPSC Civil Services · CSE Prelims 2022, GS Paper IHard

With reference to Indian laws about wildlife protection, consider the following statements : 1. Wild animals are the sole property of the government. 2. When a wild animal is declared protected, such animal is entitled for equal protection whether it is found in protected areas or outside. 3. Apprehension of a protected wild animal becoming a danger to human life is sufficient ground for its capture or killing. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. A.1 and 2
  2. B.2 only
  3. C.1 and 3
  4. D.3 only
Show answer
Correct answer: A. 1 and 2

Under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, wild animals belong to the government and a protected animal is protected everywhere, but mere fear of danger does not justify killing it.

Q3.Environment & EcologyAsked in: UPSC Civil Services · CSE Prelims 2018, GS Paper IMedium

Which of the following is/are the possible consequence/s of heavy sand mining in riverbeds? 1. Decreased salinity in the river 2. Pollution of groundwater 3. Lowering of the water-table Select the correct answer using the code given below :

  1. A.1 only
  2. B.2 and 3 only
  3. C.1 and 3 only
  4. D.1, 2 and 3
Show answer
Correct answer: B. 2 and 3 only

Heavy sand mining lowers the water table and exposes groundwater to pollution, but it does not reduce river salinity. Riverbed sand acts as a sponge and a filter: it stores water, recharges the aquifers along the river and cleans water as it seeps down.

Q4.Environment & EcologyAsked in: UPSC Civil Services · CSE Prelims 2017, GS Paper IMedium

The term 'M-STrIPES' is sometimes seen in the news in the context of

  1. A.Captive breeding of Wild Fauna
  2. B.Maintenance of Tiger Reserves
  3. C.Indigenous Satellite Navigation System
  4. D.Security of National Highways
Show answer
Correct answer: B. Maintenance of Tiger Reserves

M-STrIPES stands for Monitoring System for Tigers: Intensive Protection and Ecological Status. It was introduced by the National Tiger Conservation Authority around 2010, with technical support from the Wildlife Institute of India, for use in tiger reserves.

Q5.Environment & EcologyAsked in: UPSC Civil Services · CSE Prelims 2019, GS Paper IMedium

In India, 'extended producer responsibility' was introduced as an important feature in which of the following?

  1. A.The Bio-medical Waste (Management and Handling) Rules, 1998
  2. B.The Recycled Plastic (Manufacturing and Usage) Rules, 1999
  3. C.The e-Waste (Management and Handling) Rules, 2011
  4. D.The Food Safety and Standard Regulations, 2011
Show answer
Correct answer: C. The e-Waste (Management and Handling) Rules, 2011

These rules, notified under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 and in force from May 2012, made extended producer responsibility, or EPR, their central feature.