In the question given below, a few sentences are provided which are grammatically correct and meaningful. Connect the pair of sentences using the highlighted word given above the statements in the best possible way without changing the intended meaning. Choose your answer accordingly. CONSEQUENTLY

• I Multiple coastal regions experienced severe ecological degradation following decades of unregulated industrial expansion and excessive resource extraction. I
• I International climate negotiations increasingly emphasized the necessity of creating legally enforceable environmental accountability mechanisms. II
• I Several developing economies accelerated investment in renewable energy infrastructure to reduce dependence on volatile fossil-fuel markets. I
• V Public confidence in environmental governance institutions declined sharply after repeated failures in regulatory enforcement.