Read the passage and answer the questions that follow: Earlier this week,…
2023
Read the passage and answer the questions that follow:
Earlier this week, European Union (EU) lawmakers laid the groundwork for the rollout of its proposed carbon border adjustment mechanism from 2026. Essentially a carbon border tax, it is shrouded in green principles of pricing carbon, reducing emissions and preventing carbon leakage to combat global warming. But in reality it is nothing but a tax against emerging economies like India exporting to the EU. True, the European bloc has ambitious climate targets of cutting greenhouse gases by 55% over this decade and seeks to withdraw free carbon allowances for its most polluting industries. However, by targeting imports of carbon-intensive goods such as aluminium, steel, cement, fertilisers and electricity it is imposing European emission standards on emerging economies. This is a clear violation of the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities of international climate action. The rich countries of the global north bear historic responsibility for global warming. But after having achieved a high standard of living through centuries of polluting industries, they now want to slam the development door shut on the rest of the world. Further exemplifying this hypocrisy is the fact that when the Ukraine war pushed up energy prices last year, EU nations had no qualms falling back on dirty coal. Plus, rich nations have done little to mobilise the targeted $100 billion for climate funding to help developing nations transition to low-carbon pathways. Thus, India is right to object to the EU carbon tax. It should prepare retaliatory measures, including taking the matter to World Trade Organization (WTO) and flagging it as a non-tariff barrier.
The ambitious climate targets of the European bloc aim to
A. Withdraw free carbon allowances for its most polluting industries
B. Reduce emissions
C. Prevent carbon leakage
D. Use coal when energy prices rise
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:
Answer: D. A, B and C only — CONCEPTFor passage-based multiple-statement questions, classify each statement by its role in the source: an explicit objective or policy, a supporting…
- A.
A, B and D only
- B.
B and C only
- C.
C and D only
- D.
A, B and C only
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: D
CONCEPT
For passage-based multiple-statement questions, classify each statement by its role in the source: an explicit objective or policy, a supporting principle, or merely an example or criticism. The accepted combination must include every statement that serves the role asked for in the stem and exclude statements serving a different role.
APPLICATION
The passage says that the European bloc has a target of cutting greenhouse gases by 55% over the decade and seeks to withdraw free carbon allowances from its most polluting industries. This supports statements A and B.
At the start, the carbon border mechanism is associated with pricing carbon, reducing emissions, and preventing carbon leakage. Thus statement C also belongs to the stated climate aims.
The return to coal appears later as an example of the bloc’s conduct when energy prices rose during the Ukraine war. It is presented as criticism, not as a climate aim, so statement D is excluded.
CROSS-CHECK AND CONTRAST
A, B and D only includes D, which the passage uses as a wartime-energy example rather than a climate objective.
B and C only leaves out A, although withdrawing free allowances is explicitly described as something the bloc seeks.
C and D only both includes the coal example and omits the explicitly stated allowance and emissions measures.
A, B and C only groups the allowance policy, emissions reduction, and prevention of carbon leakage while excluding the coal example.
RESULT
Therefore, the combination supported by the passage is A, B and C only.