What is 'Greenhouse Gas Protocol'? | UPSC Prelims 2016 PYQ with Answer

It is an international accounting tool for government and business leaders to understand, quantify and manage greenhouse gas emissions
It is an initiative of the United Nations to offer financial incentives to developing countries to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and to adopt eco-friendly technologies
It is an inter-governmental agreement ratified by all the member countries of the United Nations to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to specified levels by the year 2022
It is one of the multilateral REDD+ initiatives hosted by the World Bank

Answer

It is an international accounting tool for government and business leaders to understand, quantify and manage greenhouse gas emissions

(a) The Greenhouse Gas Protocol is a widely used international accounting framework/tool developed by WRI and WBCSD to measure, manage and report GHG emissions. Correct.
(b) This does not refer to a UN financial incentive scheme for developing countries; that description is closer to climate finance/technology transfer mechanisms. Incorrect.
(c) There is no such universally ratified UN agreement under this name fixing emissions to be reduced by 2022. Incorrect.
(d) The Greenhouse Gas Protocol is not a REDD+ initiative hosted by the World Bank. Incorrect.