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Sustainable Consumption and Production (SCP)

PYQs

8

Articles

1

Momentum

21

Phase IFoundation

Background

Overview

This concept is crucial for understanding global environmental challenges, India's development model choices, resource management, and its role in international climate and sustainability discourse (GS3: Environment, Economy).

Sustainable Consumption and Production (SCP) is a holistic approach to minimizing the negative environmental impacts of consumption and production patterns while maximizing resource efficiency and social equity. It aims to decouple economic growth from resource depletion and environmental degradation.

Phase IIStatic core

Facts & tables

Key facts

Core objective

Decoupling economic growth from resource depletion and environmental degradation.

Global relevance

Integral to UN Sustainable Development Goal 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production).

Approach

Promotes circular economy principles, resource efficiency, and waste reduction.

Impact

Addresses issues like climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution.

Reference table

Static syllabus anchors

TypeReference
Conceptual areaEnvironment & Ecology
Phase IIIExam lens

Prelims angle

Overview

Prelims angle: Multi-statement analysis

Prelims angle: Conceptual understanding

Quick revision

  • Decoupling economic growth from resource use.
  • Minimizing environmental impact of production/consumption.
  • Promoting resource efficiency and circular economy.
  • Key to achieving UN SDGs, especially SDG 12.
  • Requires behavioral and systemic changes.

High-confidence PYQs

2026Multi-statement analysis, Conceptual understanding

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...

Environment & EcologyOpen question
2025Multi-statement analysis, Conceptual understanding

With reference to Direct Air Capture, an emerging technology, which of the following statements is/are correct? I. It can be used as a way of carbon sequest...

Environment & EcologyOpen question
2023Statement-based questions, Conceptual understanding

Consider the following statements: Statement-I: Carbon markets are likely to be one of the most widespread tools in the fight against climate change. State...

Environment & EcologyOpen question
2022Multi-statement analysis, Conceptual understanding

"System of Rice Intensification" of cultivation, in which alternate wetting and drying of rice fields is practised, results in: 1. Reduced seed requirement ...

Environment & EcologyOpen question
2021Terminology-based question, Purpose or function of a policy tool

The ‘Common Carbon Metric’, supported by UNEP, has been developed for

Environment & EcologyOpen question
2019Conceptual understanding, Terminology-based question

In the context of which of the following do some scientists suggest the use of cirrus cloud thinning technique and the injection of sulphate aerosols into th...

Science & TechnologyOpen question
2016Statement-based questions, Conceptual understanding

Proper design and effective implementation of UN-REDD+ Programme can significantly contribute to - 1. Protection of biodiversity 2. Resilience of forest ec...

Environment & EcologyOpen question
2015Multi-statement analysis, Institutional roles and functions

With reference to ‘Forest Carbon Partnership Facility’, which of the following statements is/are correct? 1. It is a global partnership of governments, busin...

Environment & EcologyOpen question

Topic timeline

Environment & Ecology
Prelims 2015· Multi-statement analysis, Institutional roles and functions

With reference to ‘Forest Carbon Partnership Facility’, which of the following statements is/are correct? 1. It is a global partnership of governments, busin...

Open question
Prelims 2016· Statement-based questions, Conceptual understanding

Proper design and effective implementation of UN-REDD+ Programme can significantly contribute to - 1. Protection of biodiversity 2. Resilience of forest ec...

Open question
Prelims 2019· Conceptual understanding, Terminology-based question

In the context of which of the following do some scientists suggest the use of cirrus cloud thinning technique and the injection of sulphate aerosols into th...

Open question
Prelims 2021· Terminology-based question, Purpose or function of a policy tool

The ‘Common Carbon Metric’, supported by UNEP, has been developed for

Open question
Prelims 2022· Multi-statement analysis, Conceptual understanding

"System of Rice Intensification" of cultivation, in which alternate wetting and drying of rice fields is practised, results in: 1. Reduced seed requirement ...

Open question
Prelims 2023· Statement-based questions, Conceptual understanding

Consider the following statements: Statement-I: Carbon markets are likely to be one of the most widespread tools in the fight against climate change. State...

Open question
Prelims 2025· Multi-statement analysis, Conceptual understanding

With reference to Direct Air Capture, an emerging technology, which of the following statements is/are correct? I. It can be used as a way of carbon sequest...

Open question
Prelims 2026· Multi-statement analysis, Conceptual understanding

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...

Open question

U.S. model of consumption will require six Earths if adopted by India, says RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat

16 Jun 2026 · SCP focuses on minimizing environmental impact while ensuring economic growth and social equity, a critical aspect of global sustainability efforts.

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