Sustainable Development: Concept, SDGs and Institutions

Attempt the quiz above first, then review every question with its correct answer and a short explanation below.

1. Q1.The Brundtland Report of 1987 was titled:

   • A.Silent Spring
   • B.Limits to Growth
   • C.Small Is Beautiful
   • D.Our Common Future✓ Correct Answer

   Explanation: It popularised sustainable development.

2. Q2.How many Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) were adopted by the UN in 2015?

   • A.17✓ Correct Answer
   • B.8
   • C.12
   • D.25

   Explanation: They are part of the 2030 Agenda.

3. Q3.The SDGs are to be achieved by the year:

   • A.2020
   • B.2030✓ Correct Answer
   • C.2025
   • D.2050

   Explanation: The 2030 Agenda was adopted in September 2015.

4. Q4.The Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) were set to be achieved by:

   • A.2005
   • B.2020
   • C.2030
   • D.2015✓ Correct Answer

   Explanation: There were eight MDGs, adopted in 2000.

5. Q5.The headquarters of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is in:

   • A.Geneva
   • B.New York
   • C.Nairobi✓ Correct Answer
   • D.Paris

   Explanation: UNEP was created after the 1972 Stockholm Conference.

6. Q6.Sustainable development means meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of:

   • A.industries to grow
   • B.cities to expand
   • C.trade to flourish
   • D.future generations to meet their needs✓ Correct Answer

   Explanation: This is the Brundtland definition.

7. Q7.Agenda 21 was adopted at the:

   • A.Stockholm Conference, 1972
   • B.Earth Summit, Rio de Janeiro, 1992✓ Correct Answer
   • C.Kyoto Conference, 1997
   • D.Paris Conference, 2015

   Explanation: It is a non-binding action plan for the 21st century.

8. Q8.SDG 13 deals with:

   • A.Zero hunger
   • B.Clean water
   • C.Climate action✓ Correct Answer
   • D.Quality education

   Explanation: It urges urgent action against climate change.

9. Q9.SDG 1 aims to:

   • A.end hunger
   • B.ensure clean energy
   • C.end poverty in all its forms✓ Correct Answer
   • D.promote peace

   Explanation: SDG 2 is zero hunger.

10. Q10.SDG 6 deals with:

    • A.Clean water and sanitation✓ Correct Answer
    • B.Affordable clean energy
    • C.Climate action
    • D.Life on land

    Explanation: SDG 7 deals with clean energy.

11. Q11.The ecological footprint measures:

    • A.human demand on nature's resources✓ Correct Answer
    • B.rainfall in a region
    • C.forest area only
    • D.population density only

    Explanation: It is expressed in global hectares.

12. Q12.The nodal institution for SDG implementation in India is:

    • A.Finance Commission
    • B.Election Commission
    • C.NITI Aayog✓ Correct Answer
    • D.UGC

    Explanation: It prepares the SDG India Index.

13. Q13.The "three pillars" of sustainable development are:

    • A.economic, social and environmental✓ Correct Answer
    • B.political, military and cultural
    • C.urban, rural and industrial
    • D.energy, water and food

    Explanation: All three need balance.

14. Q14.The Earth Summit follow-up held in Johannesburg in 2002 was called:

    • A.World Summit on Sustainable Development✓ Correct Answer
    • B.Rio+20
    • C.Kyoto Summit
    • D.Millennium Summit

    Explanation: Rio+20 was held in 2012.

15. Q15.SDG 5 aims at:

    • A.clean energy
    • B.zero hunger
    • C.gender equality✓ Correct Answer
    • D.climate action

    Explanation: It seeks to empower women and girls.

16. Q16.SDG 7 aims to ensure access to:

    • A.clean water
    • B.affordable and clean energy✓ Correct Answer
    • C.quality education
    • D.decent work

    Explanation: It covers renewable energy and energy efficiency.

17. Q17.The "Limits to Growth" report of 1972 was commissioned by the:

    • A.World Bank
    • B.WHO
    • C.IMF
    • D.Club of Rome✓ Correct Answer

    Explanation: It warned about resource limits.

18. Q18.Rio+20, the UN Conference on Sustainable Development, was held in:

    • A.1992
    • B.2012✓ Correct Answer
    • C.2002
    • D.2015

    Explanation: It launched the process leading to the SDGs.

19. Q19.The "Green GDP" is the GDP adjusted for:

    • A.inflation
    • B.population
    • C.taxation
    • D.environmental degradation and resource depletion✓ Correct Answer

    Explanation: It accounts for the cost of environmental damage.

20. Q20.The Mission LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment) was launched by India in:

    • A.2008
    • B.2022✓ Correct Answer
    • C.2015
    • D.2030

    Explanation: It was first mentioned at COP26 in 2021.