UPSC CSE Prelims
Question 29
Which one of the following statements best describes the term 'Social Cost of Carbon'? It is a measure, in monetary value, of the —
View correct answer and explanation
Correct answer: A
Correct Option: A (long-term damage done by a tonne of CO₂ emissions in a given year.)
Explanation: The social cost of carbon estimates the present monetary value of future societal damage from one additional tonne of CO2 emitted in a given year.
Option-wise Analysis:
A. Correct - it monetises climate impacts of an incremental tonne of CO2.
B. Incorrect - This describes fuel requirements, not marginal climate damages.
C. Incorrect - Climate-refugee adaptation expenses are only one possible component of damage, not the definition.
D. Incorrect - An individual carbon footprint measures emissions volume, not monetary external damage.