NCERT Class 11 Geography — Chapter 1: Life on the earth

mcqeasy

The Convention of Biodiversity was signed at the Earth Summit held in:

Official previous-year question

Verified 1 Aug 2026.

Options

AJohannesburg, 2002
BStockholm, 1972
CRio de Janeiro, 1992
DKyoto, 1997

Did you get this right?

Solution

The correct option is Rio de Janeiro, 1992.

Explanation

The United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED), commonly known as the Earth Summit, was a landmark international conference aimed at reconciling worldwide economic development with the protection of the environment.

Analysis of Options:

Stockholm, 1972 is incorrect: The Stockholm Conference (1972) was the United Nations Conference on the Human Environment. While it laid the foundation for global environmental governance, it predates the Convention on Biological Diversity.
Rio de Janeiro, 1992 is correct: The Earth Summit was held in Rio de Janeiro in 1992. Three major conventions were opened for signature at this summit:
- The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD).
- The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
- The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) (conceptually initiated here, adopted later).
Kyoto, 1997 is incorrect: The conference in Kyoto (1997) led to the adoption of the Kyoto Protocol, which operationalized the UNFCCC by committing industrialized countries to limit and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Johannesburg, 2002 is incorrect: The Johannesburg Summit (2002) was the World Summit on Sustainable Development (Rio+10), held to review the progress of the commitments made at the 1992 Earth Summit.

Key Takeaway: The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) was signed at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro in 1992, along with the adoption of Agenda 21 and the Rio Declaration.

Your note

More from Chapter 1: Life on the earth

Consider the following statements about Endangered Species: 1. They include species which are in danger of extinction. 2. The World Bank publishes the Red List containing information about them. 3. The Red Panda is considered an invasive species and is not endangered. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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Which of the following statements regarding the Convention on Biodiversity is correct?

easy

With reference to the geographical distribution of biodiversity, consider the following statements: 1. The weathering mantle serves as the fundamental basis for the diversity of vegetation. 2. Biodiversity is consistently richer in the polar regions due to lower human interference. 3. The input of solar energy has no role in determining the diversity of vegetation. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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Consider the following statements regarding Genetic Diversity: 1. It refers to the variation of genes within a species. 2. It has no influence on the physical characteristics of individuals within a species. 3. High genetic diversity is essential for the healthy breeding of a population. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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With reference to Species Diversity, consider the following statements: 1. It refers solely to the genetic variation within a single species. 2. It can be measured through richness, abundance, and types. 3. Areas with high species diversity are often termed as 'hotspots of diversity'. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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The correct option is Rio de Janeiro, 1992.

Explanation

Analysis of Options:

Stockholm, 1972 is incorrect: The Stockholm Conference (1972) was the United Nations Conference on the Human Environment. While it laid the foundation for global environmental governance, it predates the Convention on Biological Diversity.
Rio de Janeiro, 1992 is correct: The Earth Summit was held in Rio de Janeiro in 1992. Three major conventions were opened for signature at this summit:
- The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD).
- The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
- The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) (conceptually initiated here, adopted later).
Kyoto, 1997 is incorrect: The conference in Kyoto (1997) led to the adoption of the Kyoto Protocol, which operationalized the UNFCCC by committing industrialized countries to limit and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Johannesburg, 2002 is incorrect: The Johannesburg Summit (2002) was the World Summit on Sustainable Development (Rio+10), held to review the progress of the commitments made at the 1992 Earth Summit.

Key Takeaway: The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) was signed at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro in 1992, along with the adoption of Agenda 21 and the Rio Declaration.