Q. With reference to the Surat Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS), consider the following statements:
  1. It is the world’s first market-based mechanism for trading carbon dioxide emissions.
  2. The scheme initially provided 100% of emissions permits through auction.
  3. Plants under the ETS had permits to cover their emissions 99% of the time during the study.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Answer: 3 only
Notes: • Statement 1 is incorrect: Surat ETS is the world's first market-based scheme for trading particulate pollution, not carbon dioxide. • Statement 2 is incorrect: 80% of permits were given for free, and only 20% were auctioned. • Statement 3 is correct: Plants in the scheme had permits to cover 99% of their emissions during the study period.

This question is part of UPSC Daily 20 MCQ Series Course on GKToday Android app.