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EARTH SUMMIT

The United Nations Conference on Environmentand Development (UNCED), also known as the Riode Janeiro Earth Summit , Rio Summit, RioConference, and Earth Summit , was amajor United Nations conference held in Rio deJaneiro in June 1992.It was held twenty years afterthe United Nations Conference on the HumanEnvironment (UNCHE) took place in Stockholm,Sweden.

In 2012, the United Nations Conference onSustainable Development was also held in Rio, andis also commonly called Rio+20 or Rio Earth Summit2012.

The issues addressed included:

Systematic scrutiny of patterns of production —particularly the production of toxic components,such as lead in gasoline, or poisonous wasteincluding radioactive chemicals

Alternative sources of energy to replace the useof fossi l fuels which delegates linked toglobal climate change

New reliance on public transportation systemsin order to reduce vehicle emissions, congestionin cities and the health problems caused bypolluted air and smoke

The growing usage and limited supply of water

An important achievement of the summit was anagreement on the Climate Change Convention whichin turn led to the Kyoto Protocol. Another agreementwas to “not to carry out any activities on the lands

of indigenous peoples that would cause environmentaldegradation or that would be culturally inappropriate”.

The Convention on Biological Diversity wasopened for signature at the Earth Summit, and madea start towards redefinition of measures that did notinherent ly encourage destruction ofnaturalecoregions and so-called uneconomic growth.

The Earth Summit resulted in the followingdocuments:

Rio Declaration on Environment and Development

Agenda 21

Forest PrinciplesMoreover, important legally binding agreements(Rio Convention) were opened for signature:

Convention on Biological Diversity

Framework Convention on ClimateChange (UNFCCC)

Uni ted Nations Convent ion to CombatDesertification

In order to ensure compliance to the agreementsat Rio (particularly the Rio Declaration onEnvironment and Development and Agenda 21),delegates to the Earth Summit establishedthe Commission on Sustainable Development(CSD).

RIO DECLARATION

The Rio Declaration on Environment andDevelopment, often shortened to Rio Declaration,was a short document produced at the 1992 UnitedNat ions ”Conference on Env ironment andDevelopment” (UNCED), informally known as

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CONVENTIONS

the Earth Summit, and signed by over 170 countries.The Rio Declaration consisted of 27 principlesintended to guide countries in future sustainabledevelopment.

AGENDA 21 Agenda 21 is a non-binding, voluntarily implementedaction plan of the United Nations with regardto sustainable development.[1] It is a product ofthe Earth Summit (UN Conference on Environmentand Development) held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in1992. It is an act ion agenda for the UN,other multilateralorganizations, and individualgovernments around the world that can be executedat local, national, and global levels. The “21” inAgenda 21 refers to the 21st Century. It has beenaffirmed and had a few modifications at subsequentUN conferences.

RIO+5In 1997, the UN General Assembly held a specialsession to appraise the status of Agenda 21 (Rio+5). The Assembly recognized progress as “uneven”and identified key trends, including increasingglobalization, widening inequalities in income, andcontinued deterioration of the global environment.

RIO+10The Johannesburg Plan of Implementation, agreedto at the World Summit on SustainableDevelopment (Earth Summit 2002), affirmed UNcommitment to “full implementation” of Agenda 21,alongside achievement of the Millennium DevelopmentGoals and other international agreements.

RIO+20The United Nations Conference on SustainableDevelopment (UNCSD), also known as Rio2012, Rio+20 or Earth Summit 2012 was the thirdinternat ional conference on sustainabledevelopment aimed at reconciling the economic andenvironmental goals of the global community.

Rio+20 was a 20-year follow-up to the 1992 EarthSummit / United Nations Conference on Environment

and Development (UNCED) held in the same city,and the 10th anniversary of the 2002 World Summiton Sustainable Development (WSSD)in Johannesburg.

The conference had three objectives:

1. Securing renewed political commitment forsustainable development

2. Assessing the progress and implementationgaps in meeting previous commitments.

3. Addressing new and emerging challenges.

The primary result of the conference was thenonbinding document, “The Future We Want”. Thetext includes language supporting the developmentof Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), a set ofmeasurable targets aimed at promoting sustainabledevelopment globally. It is thought that the SDGswill pick up where the Millennium Development Goalsleave off and address criticism that the original Goalsfail to address the role of the environment indevelopment.

FOREST PRINCIPLES

The Forest Principles is the informal name given tothe Non-Legally Binding Authoritative Statement ofPrinciples for a Global Consensus on theManagement, Conservation and SustainableDevelopment of All Types of Forests (1992), adocument produced at the United Nations Conferenceon Environment and Development (UNCED),informally known as the Earth Summit. It is a non-legally binding document that makes severalrecommendations for conservation and sustainabledevelopment forestry.

The Montreal Process, also known asthe Working Group on Criteria and Indicators for theConservation and Sustainable Management ofTemperate and Boreal Forests, was started in 1994as a result of the Forest Principles.

THE CONVENTION ON BIOLOGICALDIVERSITY

The Convention on Biological Diversity, commonlyreferred to as the Biodiversity Treaty, was one of two

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major treaties opened for signature at the UnitedNations Conference on Environment and Development(UNCED) in 1992. The treaty defines biodiversity as“the variability among living organisms from allsources including, inter alia, terrestrial, marine andother aquatic ecosystems and the ecologicalcomplexes of which they are part; this includesdiversity within species, between species and ofecosystems.” Parties to the Biodiversity Treaty“affirm sovereign rights over the biological resourcesfound within their countries, while acceptingresponsibility for conserving biological diversity andusing biological resources in a sustainable manner,”according to an International Union for theConservation of Nature (IUCN) assessment of thetreaty.The Convention has three main goals:

1. conservation of biological diversity

2. sustainable use of its components

3. fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising fromgenetic resources

At the 10th Conference of Parties (COP) to theConvention on Biological Diversity in in Nagoya,Japan, the Nagoya Protocol was adopted. On 22December 2010, the UN declared the period from2011 to 2020 as the UN Decade on Biodiversity.

CARTAGENA PROTOCOL

The Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety to theConvention on Biological Diversity is aninternational agreement on biosafety as a supplementto theConvention on Biological Diversity effectivesince 2003. The Biosafety Protocol seeks toprotect biological diversity from the potential risksposed bygenetically modified organisms resulting frommodern biotechnology.

The Protocol seeks to protect biological diversityfrom the potential risks posed by living modifiedorganisms resulting from modern biotechnology. Itestablishes an advance informed agreement (AIA)procedure for ensuring that countries are providedwith the information necessary to make informeddecisions before agreeing to the import of suchorganisms into their territory.

The Biosafety Protocol makes clear that productsfrom new technologies must be based onthe precautionary principle and allow developingnations to balance public health against economicbenefits. It will for example let countries ban importsof a genetically modified organisms if they feel thereis not enough scientific evidence that the productis safe and requires exporters to label shipmentscontaining genetically altered commodities such ascorn or cotton.

NAGOYA PROTOCOL

The Nagoya Protocol on Access to GeneticResources and the Fair and Equitable Sharingof Benefits Arising from their Utilization to theConvention on Biological Diversity is a 2010supplementary agreement to the 1992 Conventionon Biological Diversity (CBD). It prov ides atransparent legal framework for the implementationof one of the three objectives of the CBD: the fairand equitable sharing of benefits arising out of theutilization of genetic resources, thereby contributingto the conservation and sustainable use ofbiodiversity.

UNITED NATIONS DECADE ON BIODIVERSITY

The United Nations General Assembly declared 2011–20 the United Nations Decade onBiodiversity .The UN Decade on Biodiversity servesto support and promote implementation of theobjectives of the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity andthe Aichi Biodiversity Targets, with the goal ofsignificantly reducing biodiversity loss.

RAMSAR CONVENTION

The Ramsar Convention (formally, the Conventionon Wetlands of International Importance,especially as Waterfowl Habitat) is aninternationaltreaty for the conservation andsustainable utilization of wetlands,[1] recognizing thefundamental ecological functions of wetlands and theireconomic, cultural, scientific, and recreational value.It is named after the city of Ramsar in Iran, wherethe Convention was signed in 1971.

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The Convention uses a broad definition ofwetlands. It includes all lakes and rivers, undergroundaquifers, swamps and marshes, wet grasslands,peatlands, oases, estuaries, deltas and tidal flats,mangroves and other coastal areas, coral reefs, andall human-made sites such as fish ponds, ricepaddies, reservoirs and salt pans.

Under the “three pillars” of the Convention, theContracting Parties commit to:

· work towards the wise use of all their wetlands;

· designate suitable wetlands for the list ofWetlands of International Importance (the “RamsarList”) and ensure their effective management;

· cooperate internationally on transboundarywetlands, shared wetland systems and sharedspecies.

CITES

CITES (the Convention on International Trade inEndangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora,also known as the Washington Convention) is amultilateral treaty to protect endangered plants andanimals. It was drafted as a result of a resolutionadopted in 1963 at a meeting of members oftheInternational Union for Conservation ofNature (IUCN). Its aim is to ensure that internationaltrade in specimens of wild animals and plants doesnot threaten the survival of the species in the wild,and it accords varying degrees of protection to morethan 35,000 species of animals and plants.

CONVENTION ON MIGRATORYSPECIES (CMS)

The Convention on the Conservation of MigratorySpecies of Wild Animals - more commonlyabbreviated to just the Convention on MigratorySpecies (CMS) or the Bonn Convention-aims toconserv e terrestr ial, marine and av ianmigratory species throughout their range.

It is an intergovernmental treaty, concluded underthe aegis of the United Nations EnvironmentProgramme, concerned with the conservation ofwildlife and habitats on a global scale.

The CMS is the only global and UN-basedintergovernmental organization establishedexclusively for the conservation and management ofterrestrial, aquatic and avian migratory speciesthroughout their range.

CMS and its daughter agreements determinepolicy and provide further guidance on specific issuesthrough their Strategic Plans, Action Plans,resolutions, decisions and guidelines. All maintainon their websites a list of all decisions taken,guidelines issues and Action Plans adopted by theMember States.

INTERNATIONAL TROPICAL TIMBERORGANIZATION

The International Tropical TimberOrganization (ITTO) is an intergovernmentalorganization that promotes conservation of tropicalforest resources and their sustainable management,use and trade.

The organization was established underthe International Tropical Timber Agreement (ITTA),which was sponsored by the United NationsConference on Trade and Development

STOCKHOLM CONVENTION ONPERSISTENT ORGANIC POLLUTANTS

(POPS)

The Stockholm Convention is a global treaty to protecthuman health and the environment from persistentorganic pollutants (POPs). POPs are chemicals thatremain intact in the environment for long periods,become widely distributed geographically, accumulatein the fatty tissue of living organisms and are toxicto humans and wildlife. POPs circulate globally andcan cause damage wherever they travel. Inimplementing the Convention, Governments will takemeasures to eliminate or reduce the release of POPsinto the environment.

PRIOR INFORMED CONSENT (PIC),ROTTERDAM CONVENTION

The Rotterdam Convention is a multilateralenvironmental agreement designed to promote shared

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responsibility and cooperative efforts among Partiesin the international trade of certain hazardouschemicals, in order to protect human health and theenvironment from potential harm and to contribute totheir environmentally sound use by facilitatinginformation exchange about their characteristics,providing for a national decision-making process ontheir import and export and disseminating thesedecisions to Parties.

In other words, the Convention enables the worldto monitor and control the trade in certain hazardouschemicals. It is not a recommendation to ban theglobal trade or use of specific chemicals. It is ratheran instrument to provide importing Parties with thepower to make informed decisions on whichchemicals they want to receive and to exclude thosethey cannot manage safely.

If trade takes place, requirements for labellingand provision of information on potential health andenvironmental effects will promote the safe use ofthese chemicals.

THE BASEL CONVENTION ON THECONTROL OF TRANSBOUNDARY

MOVEMENTS OF HAZARDOUSWASTES

A global agreement, ratified by several membercountries and the European Union for addressingthe problems and challenges posed by hazardouswaste. The Secretariat, in Geneva, Switzerland,facilitates the implementation of the Convention andrelated agreements. It also provides assistance andguidelines on legal and technical issues, gathersstatistical data, and conducts training on the propermanagement of hazardous waste. The Secretariat isadministered by UNEP.

Key objectives of the Basel Convention

To minimize the generation of hazardous wastesin terms of quantity and hazardousness;

To dispose of them as close to the source ofgeneration as possible;

To reduce the movement of hazardous wastes.

The following categories of hazardous waste arecovered by the Convention.

Toxic, poisonous, explosive, corrosive,flammable, ecotoxic and infectious

KYOTO PROTOCOL TO THE UNITEDNATIONS FRAMEWORK CONVENTION

ON CLIMATE CHANGE

The negotiation of the Kyoto Protocol and itsrulebook:

When they adopted the Convention, governmentsknew that its commitments would not be sufficientto seriously tackle climate change. At COP 1 (Berlin,March/April 1995), in a decision known as the BerlinMandate, Parties therefore launched a new round oftalks to decide on stronger and more detailedcommitments for industrialized countries. After twoand a half years of intense negotiations, the KyotoProtocol was adopted at COP 3 in Kyoto, Japan, on11 December 1997.

The complexity of the negotiations, however,meant that considerable “unfinished business”remained even after the Kyoto Protocol itselfwas adopted. The Protocol sketched out thebasic features of i ts “mechanisms” andcompliance system, for example, but did notexplain the al l-important rules of how theywould operate. Although 84 countries signed theProtocol, indicating that they intended to ratify,but many were reluctant to actually do so and bringthe Protocol into force before having a clearer pictureof the treaty’s rulebook. A new round of negotiationswas therefore launched to flesh out the KyotoProtocol’s rulebook, conducted in parallel withnegotiations on ongoing issues under the Convention.This round finally culminated at COP 7 with theadoption of the Marrakesh Accords, setting outdetailed rules for the implementation of the KyotoProtocol. As discussed above, the MarrakeshAccords made considerable progress regarding theimplementation of the Convention.

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HELSINKI PROTOCOL ON THEREDUCTION OF SULPHUR

EMISSIONS OR THEIR

The Protocol to the Convention on Long-rangeTransboundary Air Pollution on the Reduction ofSulphur Emissions or their Transboundary Fluxesby at least 30 per cent was entered into force in1987.

SOFIA PROTOCOL CONTROL OFEMISSIONS OF NITROGEN OXIDES

In 1988 the Protocol concerning the Control ofEmissions of Nitrogen Oxides or their TransboundaryFluxes was adopted in Sofia (Bulgaria). This Protocolrequires as a first step, to freeze emissions of nitrogenoxides or their Transboundary Fluxes. The generalreference year is 1987 (with the exception of theUnited States that chose to relate its emission targetto 1978).

GENEVA PROTOCOL TO CONTROLOF EMISSIONS OF VOLATILE

ORGANIC COMPOUNDS OR THEIRTRANSBOUNDARY FLUXES (VOCS

PROTOCOL)

In November 1991, the Protocol to the Conventionon Long-range Transboundary Air Pollution on theControl of Emissions of Volatile Organic Compounds(VOCs, i.e. hydrocarbons) or their TransboundaryFluxes, the second major air pollutant responsiblefor the formation of ground level ozone, was adopted.It has entered into force on 29 September 1997.

THE MONTREAL PROTOCOL ONSUBSTANCES THAT DEPLETE THE

OZONE LAYER

The Montreal Protocol on Substances that Depletethe Ozone Layer is a landmark internationalagreement designed to protect the stratospheric

ozone layer. The treaty was originally signed in 1987and substantially amended in 1990 and 1992. TheMontreal Protocol stipulates that the production andconsumption of compounds that deplete ozone inthe stratosphere—chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs),halons, carbon tetrachloride, and methyl chloroform—are to be phased out by 2000 (2005 for methylchloroform). Scientific theory and evidence suggestthat, once emitted to the atmosphere, thesecompounds could signif icantly deplete thestratospheric ozone layer that shields the planetfrom damaging UV-B radiation. The United NationsEnvironment Programme (UNEP) has prepared aMontreal Protocol Handbook that provides additionaldetail and explanation of the provisions. (CIESIN’sThematic Guide on Ozone Depletion and GlobalEnvironmental Change presents an-in-depth look atcauses, human and environmental effects, and policyresponses to stratospheric ozone depletion.)

The Vienna Convention for the Protection of theOzone Layer (1985), which outl ines states’responsibilities for protecting human health and theenvironment against the adverse effects of ozonedepletion, established the framework under whichthe Montreal Protocol was negotiated.

UNITED NATIONS CONVENTION ONTHE LAW OF THE SEA 1982

The United Nations Convention on the Law of theSea was opened for signature on 10 December 1982in Montego Bay, Jamaica. This marked theculmination of more than 14 years of work involvingparticipation by more than 150 countries representingall regions of the world. The convention entered intoforce in accordance with its article 308 on 16November 1994.

Today, the Convention on the Law of the Sea isthe primary international legal document regulatingall marine sector activities. It provides detailedprovisions governing access to the seas, protectionand preservation of the marine environment, thesustainable management of living resources, and theexploitation of non-living resources.

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CONVENTION FOR PROTECTION OFTHE WORLD CULTURAL AND

NATURAL HERITAGE 1972 (WORLDHERITAGE CONVENTION)

The most significant feature of the 1972 WorldHeritage Convention is that it links together in asingle document the concepts of nature conservationand the preservation of cultural properties. TheConvention recognizes the way in which peopleinteract with nature, and the fundamental need topreserve the balance between the two.

GLOBAL PROGRAM OF ACTION FORTHE PROTECTION OF THE MARINEENVIRONMENT FROM LAND-BASED

ACTIVITIES (GPA)

Over 100 governments adopted the GPA. The GPAis aimed at preventing the degradation of the marineenvironment from land-based activities, with targetsincluding sewage, persistent organic pollutants,radioactivity, metals, oils, nutrients, sedimentmobilisation, litter and habitat destruction. The GPAis designed to be a source of practical guidance tostates in taking actions within their respectivepolicies, priorities and resources.

JAKARTA MANDATE ON MARINE ANDCOASTAL BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY

In view of their common concern for the conservationand sustainable use of marine and coastalbiodiversity, the parties to the Convention onBiological Diversity 1992 agreed on a program ofaction for implementing the convention. The program,called the Jakarta Mandate on Marine and CoastalBiological Diversity, was adopted in 1995.

MAJOR MULTILATERALENVIRONMENT AGREEMENTS (MEAS)

RATIFIED BY INDIA

Convention on Wetlands of International Importance-1971 India ratified this convention in 1982. Issued

covered in this convention were Conservation andwise use of wetlands, primarily as habitat for thewater-birds.

Convention for the Protection of World Culturaland Natural Heritage-1972 India Ratif ied thisconvention on 04.11.1977

Convention on International Trade in EndangeredSpecies-1973 India ratified this convention on20.07.1976

Bonn Convention on Migratory Species of WildAnimals-1979 India ratified this convention on01.11.1983 Issued covered were Conservation,management and wise use of migratory species ofwild animals and their habitats.

Vienna Convention for Protection of the OzoneLayer-1985 India ratif ied this convention on18.03.1991Issues covered were Protection ofatmospheric ozone layer above the planetaryboundary layer.

Montreal Protocol on Substances that Depletethe Ozone Laye-1987 India ratified this conventionon 19.06.1992 Issues covered were Protection ofatmospheric ozone layer above the planetaryboundary layer

Basel Convention on Tran boundary Movementsof Hazardous Wastes and their Disposal-1989 Indiaratified this convention on 24.06.1992 Issued coveredwere Regulation of trans boundary movements ofhazardous wastes and their disposal

United Nations Framework Convention on ClimateChange (UNFCCC)-1992 India ratified this conventionon 01.11.1993 the issues covered were Changes inthe earth’s climate system due to anthropogenicinterference

Kyoto Protocol to the UNFCCC-1997 India ratifiedthis convention on 26.08.2002 Quantified emissionlimitation and reduction commitments for Annex IParties

Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) 1992India ratified this convention on 18.02.1994 Issuescovered were Biological diversity and biologicalresources

Cartagena Protocol on Bio safety to the CBD-2000 India ratified this convention on 11.09.2003Issues covered were Regulation of trans boundary

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movement, transit, handling and use of living modifiedorganisms (LMOs)

Uni ted Nations Convent ion to CombatDesertification 1994 India ratified this convention on17.12.1996 Issues covered were Combatingdesertification and mitigate the effects of drought,particularly in Africa

Rotterdam Convention on the Prior InformedConsent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicalsand Pesticides in International Trade-1998 Indiaratified this convention on 24.05.2005 Issues coveredwere Promote shared responsibility and cooperativeefforts among the Parties in the international tradeof certain hazardous chemicals, in order to protect

human health and the environment from potentialharm and to contribute to their environmentally sounduse.

Stockholm Convention on Persistent OrganicPollutants – 2001 India ratified this convention on13.01.2006 Issues covered were Protect humanhealth and the environment from persistent organicpollutants.

Global Tiger Forum of tiger range countries hasbeen created for addressing international issuesrelated to tiger conservation. India has also activelysupported numerous regional and bi lateralprogrammes on biodiversity.

1. Find out the incorrect pairs:(i) Montreal Protocol— Ozone protection(ii) Nagoya Protocol — ABS Mechanism(iii) Cartagena Protocol — LMOs (Living

Modified Organisms)(a) i, only (b) ii, iii only(c) iii only(d) None of the above

2. Which of the following CoP meet on climatechange is in the correct chronological order?

(UPSC-2014)(a) Bali, Copenhagen Cancun, Doha(b) Bali, Cancun, Copenhagen, Doha(c) Cancun, Bali, Copenhagen, Doha(d) Cancun, Bali, Doha, Copenhagen

3. Match the conventions/summits in List-I withList-II and select the correct answer usingcodes given below :

List-I List-IIA. Montreal Convention (i) ozone depletionB. Rio-Summit (ii) Greenhouse gasC. Ramsar Convention (iii) Convention of

biological diversityD. Kyoto Protocol (iv) Wetlands

convention

Code:A B C D

(a) iii ii i iv(b) iv iii i ii

(c) i iii iv ii(d) i ii iv iii

4. In the event of a rise in sea levels due toglobal warming, the east coast will be morevulnerable then the west coast. Why?(a) East coast has lower coastal slopes

(b) Drainage by non-perennial rivers in the eastcoast

(c) Absence of natural harbours along the eastcoast

(d) All the above5. Which of the following are NOT related to

conventions/agreements on climate change?(i) Nagohya Protocol(ii) Cartagena Protocol(iii) Warsaw Convention(iv) Ramsar Convention(a) i, ii and iii only (b) i, ii and iv only

(c) ii and iii only (d) None of the above

Objective Questions

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www.vvrias.IES MASTER

6. The main gas responsible for ozone depletionis

(Maharastra PCS-2014)(a) carbon dioxide (b) nitrogen dioxide(c) methane (d) chlorofluoro carbon

7. Which of the following is the correct definitionof “Agenda-21”? (UPPSC-2013)(a) It is an action plan of UNO for protecting

human rights.

(b) It is a book of 21 chapters on nucleardisarmament.

(c) It is an action plan for conservation of globalenvironment in 21st century

(d) It is agenda for the election of the presidentin the next meeting of SAARC.

8. Appropriate measures to reduce overall greenhous gas emissions are commitments of

(a) Kyoto Protocol (b) Montreal Protocol(c) Environment Act (d) Earth Summit.

1. (d)

2. (a)

ANSWERS

3. (c)

4. (a)

5. (b)

6. (d)

7. (c)

8. (a)

Limited solvent use in laboratories andchemical and pharmaceutical industry.

(iv) 1, 1, 1, -trichloroethane — Limited solventuse in laboratories and chemical andpharmaceutical industry.

(v) Methyl bromide — Historically used infumigation, soil treatment, pest control,quarantine, market gardening. Methylbromide is no longer registered for use inIreland.

(vi) Hydrobromofluorocarbons - Historically usedin fire suppression systems and fire fighting,(vii) Bromochloromethane — Llistoncallyused in the manufacture of biocides.

7. (c) Agenda 21 is a comprehensive plan of actionto be taken globally, nationally and locallyby organizations of the United NationsSystem, governments, and major groups inevery area in which human impacts on theenvironment.Agenda 21, the Rio Declaration onEnvironment and Development, and theStatement of principles for the SustainableManagement of Forests were adopted bymore than 18 Governments at the UnitedNations Conference on Environment and

1. (d) All are correct and there is no incorrectpair.

4. (a) According to the ministry, the sea level isa rising faster and faster due to climatechange, and is estimated at about 3.2 mmper year, or almost of 1 cm every 3 years.In the year 2007, the rise was estimated ataround 2 mm per year. It is expected thateast coast of India will be more vulnerablethan the west coast, because of its lowlying nature and hence the tendency ofcoastal flooding will rise if the sea levelrises significantly.

5. (b) CoP-19 was held at Warsaw on climatechange. Ramsar Convention is related towetlands conservation and Nagoya andCartagena protocols are related tobiodiversity conservation.

6. (d) Ozone depleting substance(i) CFC and HCFCs — Mostly used in

refrigeration, air conditioning and heat pumpsystems. Only HCFCs can continue to beused for a limited period of time.

(ii) Halons — Used historical ly as f iresuppression agents and firefighting, but nowonly allowed in very limited situations.

(iii) Carbon tetrachloride Janer

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