Previous Year Question
With reference to the ‘New York Declaration on Forests’, which of the following statements are correct?
It was first endorsed at the United Nations Climate Summit in 2014.
It endorses a global time line to end the loss of forests.
It is a legally binding international declaration.
It is endorsed by Governments, big companies and indigenous communities.
India was one of the signatories at its inception.
Select the correct answer using the codes given below.
1, 2 and 4
1, 3 and 5
3 and 4
2 and 5
Correct Answer: B
Detailed Solution
The New York Declaration on Forests was presented and endorsed at the United Nations Climate Summit held in September 2014. Therefore, Statement 1 is correct.
It is a voluntary international declaration concerning forest protection and the prevention of global deforestation.
Its principal goals included reducing the rate of natural forest loss by at least half by 2020 and striving to end natural forest loss by 2030. Therefore, Statement 2 is correct.
It also supported the restoration of 150 million hectares of degraded landscapes and forestlands by 2020 and an additional 200 million hectares by 2030.
Thus, the Declaration’s total restoration target was approximately 350 million hectares by 2030.
Its other goals included eliminating agriculture-driven deforestation, supporting forest-friendly livelihoods and increasing finance for forest conservation.
It is not a legally binding document like a treaty; it is a voluntary political commitment. Therefore, Statement 3 is not correct.
The Declaration was endorsed by national and subnational governments, large companies, indigenous communities and civil-society organizations. Therefore, Statement 4 is correct.
The participation of indigenous communities is important because many of the world’s natural forests are located within their traditional territories.
The Declaration initially received support from more than 150 governments, companies, indigenous communities and civil-society organizations.
India was not among the initial endorsers or signatories of the Declaration in 2014. Therefore, Statement 5 is not correct.
The Declaration was not a binding treaty or protocol adopted under the UNFCCC.