Sustainable Development: Principles & Challenges for UPSC
1. Introduction to Sustainable Development
Sustainable Development (SD) refers to development that meets present needs without compromising future generations' ability to meet theirs. It integrates environmental protection, economic growth, and social equity.
Key Facts
- First Defined: 1987 Brundtland Report (Our Common Future)
- Global Framework: 17 SDGs (2015-2030)
- India's Rank: 112/166 in SDG Index 2023
- Triple Bottom Line: People, Planet, Profit
Important Facts for UPSC
- India's SDG score: 63.45 (2023), improved from 60.32 in 2020.
- Best performing goals: SDG 13 (Climate Action), SDG 1 (No Poverty).
- Worst performing: SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), SDG 5 (Gender Equality).
2. Definition and Evolution
Key Milestones
| Year |
Event |
Significance |
| 1972 |
Stockholm Conference |
First UN environment conference |
| 1987 |
Brundtland Report |
Defined sustainable development |
| 1992 |
Rio Earth Summit |
Agenda 21, UNFCCC, CBD |
| 2015 |
UN Summit |
Adopted 17 SDGs |
Key Concepts
- Intergenerational Equity: Fairness between generations
- Carrying Capacity: Environment's limit to sustain activity
- Ecological Footprint: Human demand on ecosystems
Important Facts for UPSC
- India's ecological footprint: 1.19 gha/capita (global avg: 2.75).
- Earth Overshoot Day 2023: July 28 (India's: June 17).
- India ratified Paris Agreement on Oct 2, 2016.
3. Core Principles
Fundamental Principles
| Principle |
Description |
Example |
| Integration |
Balance of environmental, economic, social needs |
Green GDP accounting |
| Precautionary |
Prevent harm even without scientific certainty |
Ban on single-use plastics |
| Polluter Pays |
Polluters bear environmental costs |
Carbon tax |
Operational Principles
- Subsidiarity: Decisions at most local level possible
- Public Participation: Inclusive decision-making
- Common but Differentiated Responsibilities (CBDR): Historical emissions matter
Important Facts for UPSC
- CBDR principle is part of UNFCCC (Rio 1992).
- India follows "Panchamrit" at COP26: 500GW non-fossil energy by 2030.
- National Green Tribunal established in 2010 (Polluter Pays principle).
4. Three Pillars of Sustainability
Environmental Sustainability
- Climate change mitigation
- Biodiversity conservation
- Circular economy
Economic Sustainability
- Green jobs
- Sustainable agriculture
- Renewable energy
Social Sustainability
- Poverty eradication
- Gender equality
- Health and education
Important Facts for UPSC
- India aims for 50% non-fossil energy capacity by 2030.
- LiFE Mission (Lifestyle for Environment) launched in 2022.
- India's forest cover: 21.71% of geographical area (ISFR 2021).
5. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
The 17 Global Goals (2015-2030)
| Goal |
Focus Area |
India's Progress |
| SDG 1 |
No Poverty |
6.3% extreme poverty (2022) |
| SDG 7 |
Affordable Energy |
100% village electrification |
| SDG 13 |
Climate Action |
40% non-fossil capacity (2023) |
India's NITI Aayog SDG Index 2023
- Top States: Kerala (79), Tamil Nadu (78), Himachal Pradesh (74)
- Bottom States: Bihar (52), Jharkhand (56), UP (57)
- Best Performing Goals: SDG 1 (No Poverty), SDG 6 (Clean Water)
Important Facts for UPSC
- SDGs replaced MDGs (Millennium Development Goals) in 2015.
- India's Voluntary National Review submitted in 2017 and 2020.
- Localization through Aspirational Districts Programme.
6. Environmental Sustainability
Key Strategies
| Strategy |
Description |
Examples |
| Circular Economy |
Reduce-Reuse-Recycle |
Plastic Waste Rules 2022 |
| Renewable Energy |
Solar, wind power |
Solar Mission (100GW by 2022) |
| Conservation |
Protect ecosystems |
Project Tiger, CAMPA |
Global Agreements
- Paris Agreement: Limit warming to <2°C
- Montreal Protocol: Ozone-depleting substances
- Nagoya Protocol: Biodiversity benefits
Important Facts for UPSC
- India targets net-zero by 2070 (COP26 pledge).
- National Clean Air Programme (NCAP): 40% reduction in PM by 2026.
- Green Credit Programme launched in 2023.
7. Economic Sustainability
Approaches
| Approach |
Description |
Indian Examples |
| Green GDP |
Accounts for environmental costs |
Pilot studies by MoEFCC |
| ESG Investing |
Environment-Social-Governance |
SEBI BRSR reporting |
| Green Jobs |
Renewable energy employment |
Solar sector: 300,000 jobs |
Business Initiatives
- CSR: Mandatory 2% spending (Companies Act)
- PAT Scheme: Perform-Achieve-Trade for energy efficiency
- RE100: Companies committing to 100% renewable energy
Important Facts for UPSC
- India's renewable capacity: 179GW (Jan 2024), target 500GW by 2030.
- UJALA scheme: Distributed 37 crore LED bulbs.
- National Hydrogen Mission launched in 2021.
8. Social Sustainability
Key Aspects
| Aspect |
Indicators |
India's Status |
| Poverty |
SDG 1: No Poverty |
6.3% below $1.90/day (2022) |
| Health |
SDG 3: Good Health |
Ayushman Bharat, 73.4 life expectancy |
| Education |
SDG 4: Quality Education |
NEP 2020, 74% literacy |
Inclusive Development
- Affirmative Action: Reservations, SC/ST schemes
- Women Empowerment: Beti Bachao Beti Padhao
- Urban Sustainability: Smart Cities Mission
Important Facts for UPSC
- NFHS-5 (2019-21): Sex ratio improved to 1020 females/1000 males.
- PM-JAY covers 50 crore beneficiaries (world's largest health scheme).
- India's HDI rank: 132/191 (2021), up from 135 in 2020.
9. Global Challenges
Key Obstacles
| Challenge |
Impact |
Solutions |
| Climate Change |
Extreme weather, sea rise |
Paris Agreement, mitigation |
| Inequality |
SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities |
Progressive taxation |
| Resource Depletion |
Water scarcity, soil loss |
Circular economy |
Implementation Barriers
- Funding Gap: $2.5-3 trillion/year needed globally
- Policy Conflicts: Growth vs environment trade-offs
- Data Limitations: SDG monitoring challenges
Important Facts for UPSC
- Global carbon budget for 1.5°C: 7 years at current emissions.
- Top 1% emit more than bottom 50% (Oxfam 2023).
- India needs $2.5 trillion for SDGs by 2030 (UNESCAP).
10. India's Progress & Policies
Key Initiatives
| Initiative |
SDG Link |
Progress |
| Swachh Bharat |
SDG 6 (Clean Water) |
100% ODF (2019) |
| Ujjwala Yojana |
SDG 7 (Energy) |
9.5 crore LPG connections |
| PM-KISAN |
SDG 1 (No Poverty) |
₹6000/year to 11.5cr farmers |
Institutional Framework
- NITI Aayog: SDG coordination
- MoEFCC: Environmental policies
- CSR Mandate: Companies Act 2013
Important Facts for UPSC
- India reduced emission intensity by 28% (2005-2019), target 45% by 2030.
- International Solar Alliance HQ in Gurugram (121 member nations).
- Coal still accounts for 55% of India's energy mix (2023).
11. UPSC Preparation Tips
Focus Areas
- SDGs and India's progress (NITI Aayog reports)
- Climate change agreements (Paris, COP26/27/28)
- Environmental laws and institutions (NGT, EPA)
- Government schemes with SDG linkages
Preparation Strategy
- Map SDGs to government schemes
- Compare India's performance with neighbors
- Note recent global reports (SDG Index, IPCC)
- Practice answer writing on trade-offs
Important Facts for UPSC
- Previous questions on SDGs, climate justice, and India's commitments.
- Link sustainability to economy (ES 2023's "Green Growth" chapter).
- Understand terms: Carbon budget, CBDR, Net Zero, etc.