Class 12 Political Science Chapter 6: Environment and Natural Resources
Chapter overview
Global environmental concerns, common resources, sustainable development and competing claims over resources. These Class 12 Political Science chapter notes organise the key ideas, developments and terms for focused study. Read the explanations alongside the prescribed NCERT textbook, and use the revision prompts to check how well you can connect causes, processes and outcomes.
How to study this chapter: identify the central question, explain each development in its political context, and support answers with relevant examples and evidence from the textbook.
Introduction
This chapter examines the growing significance of environmental issues in world politics, the challenges of sustainable development, and the global governance of natural resources.
1. Environmental Concerns in Global Politics
Emergence as Global Issue:
- Gained prominence since 1970s
- UN Conference on Human Environment (Stockholm, 1972)
- Rio Earth Summit (1992)
- Paris Agreement (2015)
Key Environmental Problems:
| Issue | Causes | Impacts |
|---|---|---|
| Climate Change | Greenhouse gas emissions, deforestation | Rising temperatures, extreme weather, sea level rise |
| Biodiversity Loss | Habitat destruction, pollution, overexploitation | Species extinction, ecosystem collapse |
| Water Scarcity | Overuse, pollution, climate change | Health crises, conflicts, agricultural failure |
| Pollution | Industrial waste, plastics, chemicals | Health problems, ecosystem damage |
2. Global Environmental Agreements
Major International Agreements:
- Montreal Protocol (1987): Phasing out ozone-depleting substances
- UNFCCC (1992): Framework for climate change action
- Kyoto Protocol (1997): Binding emissions targets for developed nations
- Paris Agreement (2015): Global climate pact with national commitments
- CITES: Regulates wildlife trade to protect endangered species
Case Study: Paris Agreement
- Adopted in 2015, entered force in 2016
- Aims to limit global warming to well below 2°C
- Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs)
- US withdrawal (2017) and re-entry (2021)
- India's commitments: 40% non-fossil fuel capacity by 2030
3. Resource Geopolitics
What is Resource Geopolitics?
Resource geopolitics refers to the strategic competition between nations over access to and control of vital natural resources.
Key Resources and Conflicts:
- Oil: Middle East conflicts, OPEC influence
- Water: Transboundary river disputes (Nile, Indus, Mekong)
- Minerals: Rare earth elements competition
- Fisheries: Overfishing and maritime disputes
India's Resource Challenges:
- Energy security and import dependence
- Water disputes with neighbors (Indus, Brahmaputra)
- Land degradation and soil erosion
- Forest conservation vs development needs
4. Common but Differentiated Responsibilities (CBDR)
Principle of CBDR:
The CBDR principle, established in the 1992 Rio Earth Summit, recognizes that:
- All nations share responsibility for environmental protection (common)
- Developed countries should take greater responsibility due to:
- Their historical emissions
- Greater financial and technological capabilities
- Higher per capita resource consumption
Application in Climate Agreements:
- Kyoto Protocol (1997): Only developed countries had binding targets
- Paris Agreement (2015): All countries contribute, but flexibility for developing nations
- Climate finance: $100 billion/year pledge from developed to developing countries
Controversies:
- Developed nations argue emerging economies (China, India) should do more
- Developing nations emphasize "right to develop" and historical responsibility
- Debates over measurement of responsibilities and contributions
5. Sustainable Development
Concept:
- "Development that meets present needs without compromising future generations" (Brundtland Report, 1987)
- Balances economic growth, social inclusion, environmental protection
Approaches:
| Approach | Focus | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Green Technology | Clean energy, efficiency | Solar power, electric vehicles |
| Circular Economy | Reduce, reuse, recycle | Waste management systems |
| Conservation | Protecting ecosystems | National parks, wildlife reserves |
| International Cooperation | Global solutions | Climate funds, technology transfer |
6. India's Environmental Policies
Key Initiatives:
- National Action Plan on Climate Change (2008)
- International Solar Alliance (2015)
- Swachh Bharat Mission (Clean India)
- National Mission for Green India
- Faster Adoption of Electric Vehicles (FAME) scheme
Challenges:
- Balancing development and conservation
- Air pollution in cities
- Groundwater depletion
- Waste management
Key Terms
- Anthropocene: New geological age marked by human impact on Earth
- Carbon Footprint: Total greenhouse gas emissions caused by an entity
- Common but Differentiated Responsibilities: Climate action principle recognizing differing national capabilities
- Ecological Footprint: Measure of human demand on nature
- Greenwashing: Deceptive environmental claims by corporations
7. Important Questions
- Explain how environmental issues have become important in global politics.
- Analyze the significance of the Paris Agreement on climate change.
- What is sustainable development? Discuss India's approach to it.
- Examine the geopolitics of oil and water resources with examples.
- Critically evaluate India's environmental policies and their implementation.
- Explain the concept of resource geopolitics with suitable examples.
- What is the principle of Common but Differentiated Responsibilities? How has it influenced global climate agreements?
Quick revision
- State the chapter’s central political question in your own words.
- Connect major causes, turning points and consequences rather than memorising isolated facts.
- Use precise terms and examples from the prescribed NCERT chapter.
- Organise long answers with an introduction, linked points and a clear conclusion.
Important questions for practice
- Explain the major developments and ideas discussed in this chapter and show how they are connected.
- Analyse the causes and consequences of one important change covered in the chapter.
- Compare the key political positions, institutions or processes discussed in the chapter.
- How does this chapter help explain a wider change in Indian or world politics?
These are practice prompts, not verified previous-year questions. Develop answers from the prescribed textbook and notes above.