Previous Year Question
Consider the following statements:
The International Solar Alliance was launched at the United Nations Climate Change Conference in 2015.
The Alliance includes all the member countries of the United Nations.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
1 only
2 only
Both 1 and 2
Neither 1 nor 2
Correct Answer: A
Detailed Solution
Statement 1 is correct: The International Solar Alliance was jointly launched by India and France in 2015.
It was announced on 30 November 2015 during the UNFCCC COP21 climate conference held in Paris.
Its objective was to enable the large-scale and affordable use of solar energy by increasing cooperation among solar-resource-rich countries.
The Alliance works on mobilising finance for solar projects, technological cooperation, capacity building and solutions to common challenges.
It aims to reduce the cost and financial risks of solar-energy projects and increase access to solar energy in member countries.
The headquarters of the ISA is located in Gurugram, Haryana, India.
It is the first treaty-based intergovernmental organisation headquartered in India.
The ISA Framework Agreement was opened for signature in 2016 and entered into force in 2017 after obtaining the required ratifications.
Statement 2 was incorrect in the context of the question: Initially, ISA membership was proposed mainly for solar-resource-rich countries located between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn.
Approximately 121 countries located in this tropical region were invited to participate in the Alliance.
Therefore, in 2016, it was incorrect to state that all member countries of the United Nations were included in the Alliance.
The ISA Framework Agreement was subsequently amended to open eligibility for membership to all member countries of the United Nations.
However, being eligible for membership and every UN member country actually joining the ISA are different situations.
The Alliance’s work extends to areas such as solar mini-grids, solar agricultural pumps, solar cold chains, rooftop solar systems and financing arrangements for solar projects.
The ISA is particularly important for developing countries that have substantial solar resources but limited finance, technology and institutional capacity.