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UPSC Prelims 2025 GS Paper 1, question 9

Topic: Environment and ecology

Q9

Consider the following statements :

Statement-I : Circular economy reduces the emissions of greenhouse gases.

Statement-II : Circular economy reduces the use of raw materials as inputs.

Statement-III : Circular economy reduces wastage in the production process.

Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

  1. (a) Both Statement-II and Statement-III are correct and both of them explain Statement-ICorrect answer
  2. (b) Both Statement-II and Statement-III are correct but only one of them explains Statement-I
  3. (c) Only one of the Statements II and III is correct and that explains Statement-I
  4. (d) Neither Statement-II nor Statement-III is correct

Solution.

Answer: (a) Both Statement-II and Statement-III are correct and both of them explain Statement-I

  1. Statement-I is correct: transitioning to a circular economy significantly reduces lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions across industrial and material sectors.
  2. Statement-II is correct and explains Statement-I: by reusing, repairing, and recycling materials, a circular economy lowers the extraction and energy-intensive processing of virgin raw materials, directly cutting greenhouse gas emissions.
  3. Statement-III is correct and explains Statement-I: designing out waste and improving resource efficiency in production reduces embodied energy loss and waste-related emissions.