By Vikas Arora
As we reflect on World Environment Day 2025 under the banner “Beat Plastic Pollution”, we are reminded that environmental degradation is no longer a distant threat. It is a present crisis. Yet, beyond the numbers and protocols lies a deeper moral inquiry: what kind of relationship should human civilisation have with nature?
This is not a new question. Long before the Rio Earth Summit of 1992 laid the groundwork for modern environmental diplomacy, India’s ancient texts offered a profound ecological vision. The Vedas described the universe as composed of the Pancha Mahabhoota—five gross elements—interconnected in harmony. This wasn’t mere mythology; it was philosophy rooted in sustainability.
India, rooted in the wisdom of its ancient texts, has always nurtured a tradition of ecological consciousness. The Vedas invoke nature not merely as a resource, but as a divine presence—“Do not harm the water and the flora; Earth is my mother, I am her son.” This Vedic worldview lays the foundation of what modern environmentalists now call Ecological Democracy or Harit Swaraj. It resonates powerfully with the idea of “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam”—the world as one family—reminding us of the interconnectedness of all life on Earth.
Gandhi: The Earliest Environmentalist
Well before the international community convened in Stockholm (1972) or Rio (1992), Mahatma Gandhi had sounded the alarm on unsustainable consumption:
“The Earth has enough for everyone’s needs, but not for everyone’s greed.
M.K. Gandhi
” Environmental movements in India like Chipko and Narmada Bachao Andolan found philosophical and strategic strength in Gandhi’s emphasis on simplicity, decentralisation, and harmony with nature.
Rio Earth Summit 1992: A Global Turning Point: The 1992 United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) in Rio de Janeiro was a landmark moment that redefined humanity’s relationship with the planet. It produced key international agreements:
Agenda 21: A blueprint for sustainable development.
Rio Declaration: 27 guiding principles on environment and development.
Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD)
United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)
Forest Principles: Guidelines for sustainable forest management.
The concept of Sustainable Development—meeting present needs without compromising future generations—entered global policy vocabulary.
From Rio to Paris to 2025: Key Milestones
🌐 1997 – Kyoto Protocol
• Binding emission reduction targets for developed countries under the UNFCCC.
🌍 2002 – Johannesburg Summit (Rio+10)
• Reviewed implementation of Agenda 21.
• Shifted focus toward poverty eradication and water sanitation.
🌏 2012 – Rio+20 Summit
• Produced “The Future We Want” declaration.
• Introduced concept of Green Economy and reinforced Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
🌎 2015 – Paris Agreement
• Landmark treaty under UNFCCC aiming to limit global warming to below 2°C, ideally 1.5°C.
• Emphasized Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs).
2015 – UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development
• Adopted 17 SDGs and 169 targets addressing climate, inequality, health, and justice.
🌍 2021–2025 – Climate Emergency Era
• IPCC Reports warned of irreversible tipping points.
• COP26 (Glasgow) and COP28 (Dubai) tried to accelerate climate finance, phase-down coal, and push for net-zero.
Plastic, Pollution, and Planetary Limits
The 2025 theme, “Beat Plastic Pollution”, is a reminder of how even seemingly “modern” materials have turned hostile. From oceans choked with microplastics to rivers poisoned by industrial effluents, plastic pollution embodies the core crisis of modernity: excess without foresight.
India, with its tradition of reuse, modest consumption, and ecological reverence, must not replicate the mistakes of the West in the name of development.
The Great Divide: Development vs. Sustainability
Rio exposed the longstanding rift between the Global North and South.
Southern/Developing countries, especially in the Southern Hemisphere, argued that environmental constraints could not be imposed on them while they were still struggling with basic development. They demanded equity, technology transfer, and climate finance.
Northen/Developed nations, having already exhausted much of the planet’s carbon budget, called for emission cuts and green transitions—often without acknowledging their historic responsibility.
This “Green vs. Growth” debate continues to haunt every climate negotiation, including COP26 in Glasgow and COP28 in Dubai. The North-South divide remains unresolved.
"Developmentalism" and Geopolitics:
The New York Times' coverage of the summit highlighted how the summit was framed within the context of geopolitical rivalry and conventional "developmentalist" approaches, which often prioritized economic growth over environmental concerns. The coverage also focused on the interactions between political leaders and largely ignored the concerns of non-governmental organizations and environmental groups.
"Green" vs. "Growth":
The central dilemma was how to reconcile the desire for economic growth in the Southern Hemisphere with the need for environmental protection and sustainable development. This created a tension between the immediate needs of the poor and the long-term goals of the rich, with the South often feeling that the North wanted to keep them in a state of poverty while focusing on environmental concerns.
The Rio Earth Summit (1992): A Turning Point
North-South Divide:
The summit brought to the forefront the unequal distribution of wealth and resources between developed and developing countries, often referred to as the North-South divide.
Sustainable Development:
The summit's core theme was sustainable development, recognizing that economic growth and environmental protection must be pursued together.
"Brown Agenda":
The summit acknowledged the unique environmental challenges faced by urban areas in developing countries, often referred to as the "brown agenda," including pollution, inadequate infrastructure, and poverty.
Developing World's Concerns:
Developing countries expressed concerns that the North, having already industrialized and benefited from resource extraction, was now imposing environmental restrictions that would hinder their development.
Criticism of the World Bank:
The World Bank has faced criticism regarding its lending practices and the impact of its projects on the environment and local communities.
The Rio Summit and Beyond
"Our Common Future":
The summit built upon the recommendations of the 1987 Brundtland Report, which emphasized the interconnectedness of environment and development.
Rio+20:
The 20th anniversary of the Rio Earth Summit, known as Rio+20, reiterated the commitments made in 1992 and aimed to set new benchmarks for action.
India’s Climate Trajectory: From Principles to Practice
India has walked a careful, principled path. While it contributes less than 4% of global CO₂ emissions, it shoulders the burden of being home to over 1.4 billion people vulnerable to climate impacts.
Key national steps include:
NAPCC with eight National Missions.
Enhanced INDC targets for 2030, including 40% energy from non-fossil sources.
India’s Net-Zero Target by 2070.
National Hydrogen Mission and the 450 GW renewable energy goal.
Transition from BS-IV to BS-VI emission norms.
‘LiFE’ Movement (Lifestyle for Environment): A global Indian initiative promoting sustainable lifestyles.
At COP27 and the G20, India echoed its civilizational theme: “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” — One Earth, One Family, One Future.
The Sundarbans: A Living Laboratory of Climate Change
Nowhere is the climate crisis more visible than in the Sundarbans, the world’s largest mangrove forest and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Rising sea levels, saline water intrusion, and intensified cyclones have jeopardized its unique ecosystem.
Local communities face displacement, livelihood loss, and health hazards. The region's degradation isn’t just a local tragedy—it’s a global warning.
As a biodiversity hotspot, carbon sink, and storm buffer, the Sundarbans are critical to both environmental and human survival. Yet they continue to receive fragmented, underfunded conservation attention.
The Future We Must Choose
The Brundtland Report (1987) declared, “Our Common Future”, but we are now hurtling toward “Our Common Peril.”
Sustainability is not merely an economic or ecological choice—it is a civilizational test. India, with its philosophical grounding, demographic weight, and democratic traditions, is uniquely positioned to lead the global South into a new era of climate justice.
We must advocate for:
Loss and Damage Funds to compensate vulnerable nations.
Stronger regional cooperation through platforms like BRICS.
Localization of SDGs, especially in ecologically sensitive zones.
Integration of indigenous knowledge systems into climate adaptation.
Reform of global institutions like the World Bank to prioritize green equity.
Conclusion: Reclaiming Ecological Swaraj
Gandhi once said, “What we do to the environment is a reflection of what we are doing to ourselves.” As we approach a decisive decade, let us revisit not only Rio’s resolutions but also India’s ancient civilizational wisdom.
Sustainable development cannot be an export from Western capitals; it must rise from native soil, informed by ethics, equity, and ecology.
The age of extractive growth is over. The age of Ecological Swaraj—where the planet’s health is placed at the centre of progress—has begun.
Suggested Readings for GS Paper 3:
Brundtland Commission Report (1987)
India’s NDCs and Climate Action Tracker
IPCC AR6 Synthesis Report (2023)
SDG India Index (by NITI Aayog)
“Loss and Damage in the Sundarbans” – Zero Carbon Analytics
UPSC Related Important Questions:
Discuss the importance of the Sundarbans delta and the challenges it faces due to climate change.
Analyze the impact of rising sea levels and increased cyclone frequency on the Sundarbans ecosystem.
Examine the role of mangrove forests in carbon sequestration and climate change mitigation, focusing on the Sundarbans.
Evaluate the effectiveness of conservation efforts in the Sundarbans in the face of climate change.
Discuss the socio-economic impacts of climate change on the communities living in the Sundarbans.
Analyze the significance of the Sundarbans as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and its role in biodiversity conservation.
What are the challenges to the sustainability of the Sundarbans and what measures can be taken to address them?
How does climate change affect the livelihoods of people in the Sundarbans?
What are the key differences between the Sundarbans and other mangrove ecosystems?
What is the significance of the Ramsar recognition of the Sundarbans?
Conflict between developed and developing countries regarding support for mitigation ?
Do you agree that the occurrence of climate change is due to excessive exploitation of natural resources by the developed countries?
Challenges for India in Achieving Net-Zero Emissions by 2070
Discuss the characteristics of the monsoon climate and explain the factors that influence its behaviour?
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