#441

Which country is the largest foreign holder of US Treasury debt (as of 2024)?

(a) China

(b) Japan

(c) United Kingdom

(d) Saudi Arabia

Explanation: Japan remains the largest foreign holder of US government debt, surpassing China.

#442

The 'loss and damage fund' operationalized at COP28 and funded in 2024 is designed to help:

(a) Oil companies transition to green energy

(b) Vulnerable developing nations deal with climate change impacts

(c) Banks recover from bad loans

(d) Car manufacturers build EVs

Explanation: The fund provides financial assistance to nations most vulnerable to the adverse effects of climate change.

#443

Which major financial goal was agreed upon at the COP29 Climate Summit in Baku in late 2024?

(a) The Glasgow Climate Pact

(b) The New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG)

(c) The Paris Rulebook

(d) The Green Climate Fund 2.0

Explanation: At COP29 in Baku, nations agreed on the New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG), setting a target for developed countries to mobilize at least $300 billion annually by 2035 to support developing nations.

#444

The 2024 UN Biodiversity Conference (COP16) was held in which city?

(a) Montreal, Canada

(b) Kunming, China

(c) Cali, Colombia

(d) Bogotá, Colombia

Explanation: The 16th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (COP16) took place in Cali, Colombia, under the theme 'Peace with Nature'.

#445

The 2024 UNEP Emissions Gap Report stated that current policies put the world on track for a temperature rise of how much by 2100?

(a) 1.5°C - 1.8°C

(b) 2.6°C - 3.1°C

(c) 4.0°C - 5.0°C

(d) 1.0°C - 1.2°C

Explanation: The report warned that without immediate and massive emission cuts, current policies would lead to catastrophic warming of between 2.6°C and 3.1°C this century.

#446

Which EU law, aiming to restore 20% of the bloc's land and sea areas by 2030, officially entered into force in August 2024?

(a) The European Green Deal Act

(b) The Nature Restoration Law

(c) The Biodiversity Protection Act

(d) The Rewilding Europe Directive

Explanation: Despite significant political opposition, the EU Nature Restoration Law was adopted and entered into force in August 2024, setting legally binding targets for ecosystem recovery.

#447

Typhoon Kong-Rey caused significant disruption in October 2024 in which region?

(a) Philippines and Taiwan

(b) Japan and South Korea

(c) Vietnam and Laos

(d) India and Sri Lanka

Explanation: Typhoon Kong-Rey was a powerful tropical cyclone that impacted the Philippines and Taiwan in late October 2024.

#448

Hurricane Beryl, which set records for its early intensity in June 2024, impacted which region?

(a) The Caribbean

(b) The Bay of Bengal

(c) The South Pacific

(d) The Mediterranean

Explanation: Hurricane Beryl was an unusually strong and early Category 5 storm that caused widespread devastation across the Caribbean in June/July 2024.

#449

Which commodity saw a new EU regulation (EUDR) aimed at preventing deforestation come into effect in 2024/2025?

(a) Steel

(b) Coffee, Cocoa, and Soy

(c) Electronics

(d) Plastics

Explanation: The EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) targets commodities like cattle, cocoa, coffee, oil palm, rubber, soya, and wood to ensure they are not produced on deforested land.

#450

The 'Zero Debris Charter' signed by over 12 countries in 2024 relates to:

(a) Ocean plastic cleanup

(b) Space sustainability and junk removal

(c) Mount Everest cleaning expeditions

(d) Nuclear waste disposal

Explanation: The Zero Debris Charter is an initiative facilitated by the European Space Agency to commit nations and companies to becoming debris-neutral in space by 2030.

#451

Which country officially withdrew from the Energy Charter Treaty (ECT) in 2024, citing climate concerns?

(a) United Kingdom

(b) United States

(c) Russia

(d) Saudi Arabia

Explanation: The UK officially withdrew from the Energy Charter Treaty in 2024, following other European nations, because the treaty protected fossil fuel investments and hindered the net-zero transition.

#452

Which South American river basin faced a historic drought in 2024-2025, severely affecting hydropower and transport?

(a) Orinoco

(b) Amazon

(c) Paraná

(d) Magdalena

Explanation: The Amazon basin experienced one of its most severe droughts on record, isolating communities, killing wildlife, and disrupting critical river transport.

#453

Which country hosted the G20 Summit in 2024, placing 'sustainable development' at the core of the agenda?

(a) India

(b) Brazil

(c) South Africa

(d) USA

Explanation: Brazil held the G20 Presidency in 2024, focusing on fighting hunger, climate change, and reforming global governance.

#454

Which state of the US faced severe flooding from 'Upper Midwest Flooding' in 2024, contributing to billion-dollar losses?

(a) Iowa

(b) Arizona

(c) Nevada

(d) Alaska

Explanation: The Upper Midwest, including states like Iowa, faced devastating flooding in 2024, which was categorized as a billion-dollar disaster.

#455

Which country announced plans to host the 'International Solar Alliance' annual assembly in 2024?

(a) India

(b) France

(c) Australia

(d) Chile

Explanation: India, as a founding member and host of the Secretariat, hosted the ISA assembly in New Delhi.

#456

Which African country was the first to unlock debt-for-nature swaps to protect its marine ecosystems in a major 2023/2024 deal?

(a) Gabon

(b) Chad

(c) Zimbabwe

(d) Mali

Explanation: Gabon completed a historic debt-for-nature swap in August 2023, refinancing massive debt to generate funds for marine conservation.

#457

The 'Sentinel-2C' satellite, launched in 2024, is part of which environmental monitoring program?

(a) NASA Artemis

(b) EU Copernicus

(c) SpaceX Starlink

(d) Google Earth

Explanation: Sentinel-2C is part of the European Union's Copernicus Earth observation program, providing vital data on vegetation, land use, and water quality.

#458

Which country faced a 'mega-drought' in 2024 that led to water rationing in its capital, Bogotá?

(a) Brazil

(b) Colombia

(c) Peru

(d) Venezuela

Explanation: Colombia faced a severe drought driven by El Niño, forcing the capital city of Bogotá to implement water rationing measures.

#459

The 26th Constitutional Amendment, passed in late 2024, fixed the tenure of the Chief Justice of Pakistan to:

(a) 2 years

(b) 3 years

(c) 4 years

(d) 5 years

Explanation: The 26th Amendment capped the tenure of the Chief Justice of Pakistan at a fixed term of 3 years.

#460

Which province passed a 'Defamation Bill' in 2024 that caused significant controversy?

(a) Sindh

(b) Punjab

(c) Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

(d) Balochistan

Explanation: The Punjab Assembly passed the controversial Defamation Bill 2024, which was signed into law by the Acting Governor.

April 2024 Current Affairs MCQs & Solutions