The role of UNEP for the protection of environment — MCQs

All questions with answers and explanations

Read the full set here, or use the practice card above to test yourself one question at a time.

1. UNEP was created by which instrument, and when?

   • UN General Assembly Resolution 2997 (XXVII), 15 December 1972 (correct answer)
   • The Kyoto Protocol, 1997
   • The Stockholm Declaration's Principle 21
   • The Paris Agreement, 2016

   Explanation. UNEP was established by UN General Assembly Resolution 2997 (XXVII) on 15 December 1972, following the Stockholm Conference's recommendation.

2. UNEP's headquarters are located in:

   • Geneva, Switzerland
   • Nairobi, Kenya (correct answer)
   • New Delhi, India
   • Vienna, Austria

   Explanation. UNEP is headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya.

3. UNEP's primary role in the international environmental regime is best described as:

   • A global environmental police force with direct enforcement power
   • Catalytic and coordinating — monitoring, agenda-setting, and supporting treaty negotiation and secretariats (correct answer)
   • A World Trade Organization tribunal for environmental disputes
   • A body with authority to impose binding fines on polluting States

   Explanation. UNEP does not have direct enforcement power; its role is catalytic and coordinating, supporting the negotiation and administration of multilateral environmental agreements.

4. The UN Environment Assembly, which succeeded the UNEP Governing Council in 2013, is significant because it has:

   • A private corporate board of directors
   • Universal membership of all UN Member States, replacing the 58-member Governing Council (correct answer)
   • The power to declare war on polluting states
   • Direct control over the World Bank's budget

   Explanation. The Governing Council had 58 members. Its first session with universal membership was held in Nairobi in February 2013, and the General Assembly renamed it the UN Environment Assembly by resolution 67/251 in March 2013.

5. The Convention on Biological Diversity was adopted at Nairobi on 22 May 1992 under whose auspices?

   • UNESCO
   • UNEP (correct answer)
   • The World Health Organization
   • The World Trade Organization

   Explanation. Many multilateral environmental agreements grew out of UNEP work. The Convention on Biological Diversity was adopted in Nairobi on 22 May 1992 under UNEP auspices.

6. The Governing Council of UNEP had how many members?

   • 12
   • 58 (correct answer)
   • 100
   • 193

   Explanation. The resolution 2997 (XXVII) of 15 December 1972 led to UNEP and a 58-member Governing Council.