Asia is at the front line of climate change. Extreme heat in India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh, wildfires in Australia, typhoons in Japan, are real and present dangers and likely to become more frequent as climate change intensifies. McKinsey’s report on ‘Climate risk and response in Asia’, finds that, without adaptation and mitigation, Asia is expected to experience more severe socioeconomic impacts of climate change than other parts of the world. Large cities in the Indian Subcontinent could be among the first places in the world to experience heat waves that exceed the survivability threshold. Just as information systems and cybersecurity have become integrated into corporate and public-sector decision making, climate change will also need to feature as a major factor in decisions. Climate science tells us that some amount of warming over the next decade is already locked in due to past emissions, and temperatures will continue to rise. India anticipates a significant infrastructure build out over the next decades with projects worth $1.77 trillion across 34 sub sectors, according to the National Infrastructure Pipeline. Robust regulations around outdoor work could significantly reduce the economic risk of lost hours as well as the toll on life from heat waves. The good news is that we have started to see some Indian states and cities pursuing such policies. Ahmedabad City Corporation introduced a heat action plan- the first of its kind in India in response to the 2010 heat wave that killed 300 people in a single day. The city now has a heat-wave early warning system, a citywide programme of roof reflectivity to keep buildings cool, and teams to distribute cool water and rehydration tablets during heat waves. Renewable energy has grown rapidly in India and can contribute 30 per cent of gross electricity generation by 2030, according to the Central Electricity Authority.
Which of the following strategies is not appropriate to reduce the climate change risk?
Correct Answer :
Decreasing energy efficiency.
Solution :
Correct Answer: Decreasing energy efficiency.
Explanation:
Climate change mitigation and adaptation strategies aim to lower greenhouse gas emissions, improve energy utilization, transition to clean energy sources, and build resilience against extreme weather events.
Let us evaluate each of the given options:
1. Decreasing energy efficiency: Energy efficiency refers to using less energy to achieve the same or better outcome. Decreasing energy efficiency leads to unnecessary energy waste, higher demand for power generation, and increased greenhouse gas emissions. Therefore, this is counterproductive and not an appropriate strategy to combat climate change.
2. Carbon Pricing System: Mechanisms such as carbon taxes or cap-and-trade systems create financial incentives for businesses and individuals to reduce their carbon emissions.
3. Decarbonising industrial operations and buildings: Shifting industrial processes and building energy systems away from fossil fuels significantly lowers total atmospheric carbon contributions.
4. Investments in adaptive technologies: As highlighted in the passage, investing in cooling infrastructure, early warning systems, and climate-resilient architecture reduces socioeconomic risks and protects vulnerable communities.
Thus, among all options, Decreasing energy efficiency is the only inappropriate measure for climate risk reduction.
Access expert-curated educational resources and study materials—completely free.
Create, conduct, and manage professional online assessments with Mindyard. Perfect for teachers and institutes.
Copyright © 2026 Mindyard. All Rights Reserved.