Consider the following statements with reference to India's response to climate change: I. India's Long-Term Low Emission Development Strategy (LT-LEDS) is a crucial tool for achieving net-zero emissions by 2070. II. India's 4th Biennial Update Report (BUR-4) submitted in December, 2024 recorded around 8% decrease in Greenhouse gas emissions in 2020 over 2019. III. Climate-resilient development necessarily depends on quick and short-term achievement of emission reduction targets. Which of the following relationships among the above statements is/are correct? 1. Statement I is empirically supported by statement II. 2. Statement III contradicts the approach implicit in statement I. 3. Statement I and statement III together establish the premise of long-term sustainability.

Option (B) — 1 and 2

• India's LT-LEDS was presented at COP27 and outlines pathways to achieve net-zero emissions by 2070, emphasizing long-term, phased transition across sectors.
• India's 4th Biennial Update Report (BUR-4) submitted in December 2024 reported a decrease in GHG emissions in 2020 compared to 2019, providing empirical evidence that India is making progress on emission reduction, which supports Statement I.
• Climate-resilient development is inherently a long-term process requiring sustained, phased efforts. Statement III's emphasis on 'quick and short-term' targets contradicts the long-term approach implicit in LT-LEDS (Statement I).
• Statement III contradicts Statement I rather than complementing it, so together they cannot establish a premise of long-term sustainability.

• 1. Statement I is empirically supported by Statement II: Correct. The emission reduction data in BUR-4 provides empirical backing for the trajectory outlined in LT-LEDS.
• 2. Statement III contradicts the approach implicit in Statement I: Correct. LT-LEDS is a long-term strategy (targeting 2070), while Statement III emphasizes quick, short-term targets, which is contradictory.
• 3. Statement I and Statement III together establish the premise of long-term sustainability: Incorrect. Since Statement III focuses on short-term targets and contradicts Statement I's long-term approach, they cannot together establish a premise of long-term sustainability.