#461

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.

#462

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.

#463

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.

#464

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.

#465

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.

#466

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.

#467

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.

#468

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.

#469

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.

#470

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.

#471

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.

#472

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.

#473

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.

#474

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.

#475

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.

#476

The 26th Constitutional Amendment, passed in October 2024, capped the tenure of the Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) at:

(a) 2 years

(b) 3 years

(c) 4 years

(d) 5 years

Explanation: The 26th Amendment introduced a fixed tenure of three years for the Chief Justice of Pakistan, regardless of their age of superannuation.

#477

Which major reform was introduced in the government pension system in the Federal Budget 2024-25?

(a) Double Pension Scheme

(b) Contributory Pension Scheme

(c) Lifetime Pension for all family members

(d) Pension payment in Dollars

Explanation: To reduce the ballooning pension bill, the government introduced a 'Contributory Pension Scheme' for new employees, where they contribute a portion of their salary toward their retirement fund.

#478

The 'Tajir Dost Scheme' launched by the FBR in 2024 aims to:

(a) Provide loans to traders

(b) Bring retailers and wholesalers into the tax net

(c) Subsidize electricity for shops

(d) Allow duty-free imports for traders

Explanation: The Tajir Dost Scheme is a voluntary tax compliance registration scheme designed to bring unregistered retailers and wholesalers into the formal tax net to broaden the tax base.

#479

In September 2024, the IMF approved a new Extended Fund Facility (EFF) for Pakistan worth approximately:

(a) $3 Billion

(b) $7 Billion

(c) $10 Billion

(d) $1.2 Billion

Explanation: The IMF Executive Board approved a 37-month Extended Fund Facility (EFF) arrangement of about $7 billion to support Pakistan's economic stability and reform program.

#480

Which provincial government launched the 'Kisan Card' initiative in 2024 to provide direct subsidies and loans to farmers?