Environmental laws and international agreements
Know each agreement by year and purpose: Montreal 1987 for ozone, Rio 1992 for sustainable development, Kyoto 1997 and Paris 2015 for climate, and India's EPA 1986 at home.
International agreements and efforts
| Agreement | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Ramsar Convention | 1971 | Conservation of wetlands of international importance |
| Stockholm Conference | 1972 | First UN conference on the human environment; led to UNEP |
| CITES | 1973 | Controls international trade in endangered species |
| Vienna Convention | 1985 | Framework for protecting the ozone layer |
| Montreal Protocol | 1987 | Phases out ozone-depleting substances such as CFCs and halons |
| Basel Convention | 1989 | Controls cross-border movement of hazardous wastes |
| Rio Earth Summit (UNCED) | 1992 | Sustainable development; adopted Agenda 21 and the Rio Declaration; opened the UNFCCC and CBD for signature |
| UNFCCC | 1992 | Framework for stabilising greenhouse gas concentrations |
| Convention on Biological Diversity | 1992 | Conservation, sustainable use and fair sharing of benefits from biodiversity |
| Kyoto Protocol | 1997 | Binding emission cuts for developed countries; in force 2005 |
| Cartagena Protocol (under CBD) | 2000 | Biosafety of living modified organisms |
| Nagoya Protocol (under CBD) | 2010 | Access to genetic resources and benefit-sharing |
| Paris Agreement | 2015 | Keep warming well below 2 °C, pursue 1.5 °C, through national pledges (NDCs) |
| International Solar Alliance | 2015 | Launched by India and France at COP21 to expand solar energy; headquarters in Gurugram |
| Kigali Amendment (Montreal) | 2016 | Phases down HFCs, which are powerful greenhouse gases |
Indian environmental laws and plans
| Law or plan | Year | Key point |
|---|---|---|
| Wildlife (Protection) Act | 1972 | Schedules of protected species; protected areas |
| Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act | 1974 | Set up the Central and State Pollution Control Boards |
| Forest (Conservation) Act (renamed Van (Sanrakshan Evam Samvardhan) Adhiniyam in 2023) | 1980 | Central approval needed to divert forest land |
| Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act | 1981 | Air pollution control and air quality standards |
| Environment (Protection) Act | 1986 | Umbrella law after Bhopal; centre can set standards, close polluting units and notify rules such as EIA |
| Biological Diversity Act | 2002 | Implements the CBD; set up the National Biodiversity Authority |
| National Action Plan on Climate Change | 2008 | Eight national missions |
| National Green Tribunal Act | 2010 | Specialised tribunal for environmental cases |
The eight missions of NAPCC (2008)
- National Solar Mission
- National Mission for Enhanced Energy Efficiency
- National Mission on Sustainable Habitat
- National Water Mission
- National Mission for Sustaining the Himalayan Ecosystem
- National Mission for a Green India
- National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture
- National Mission on Strategic Knowledge for Climate Change
Kyoto and Paris compared
How NET asks this: arrange agreements in chronological order, match each with its purpose (Montreal-ozone, Basel-hazardous waste, Ramsar-wetlands), or name the NAPCC missions.
Typical MCQ: “Which agreement deals with substances that deplete the ozone layer?” The Montreal Protocol (1987), under the Vienna Convention (1985). Its Kigali Amendment (2016) phases down HFCs.
Typical MCQ: “When and where was the International Solar Alliance launched?” At COP21 in Paris, 2015, by India and France. Its headquarters are in Gurugram, India.
Ramsar wetlands, Montreal ozone, Basel hazardous waste, Kyoto binds the rich, Paris asks everyone to pledge.