Context:
The Asian Conference on Geography (ACG 2025) is being held at Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi. This is the first-ever edition of this prestigious conference hosted in India.
The conference underscores three deeply interconnected issues — climate change, urbanization, and sustainable resource management — which collectively determine the sustainability of our shared future.
India has emerged as a global torchbearer in linking economic progress with environmental sustainability, guided by PM Narendra Modi’s vision to achieve net-zero by 2070 and promote LiFE – Lifestyle for Environment.
Key Highlights:
Asia’s Climate Stakes & Challenges
Asia lies at the centre of global transformation — strong industrial and economic dynamism, but contributes >50% of global GHG emissions.
IPCC Sixth Assessment Report warns the region faces growing vulnerability to extreme weather — heatwaves, floods, and water stress — if emissions continue at current levels.
South Asia alone — 750 million people exposed to severe climate hazards including Himalayan glacier melt, coastal flooding, urban heat islands.
Delhi / Dhaka / Bangkok / Manila projected to be among the most climate-vulnerable megacities by 2050.
Urbanisation Stress
Urbanisation → symbol of progress but emerging as challenge due to:
- unplanned expansion
• encroachment of floodplains
• groundwater depletion
• pollution rise
Example: 2014 Srinagar floods — disasters are often aggravated by human negligence + poor planning.
Waste, Resources & Circular Economy
- Nearly 80% of wastewater in developing Asia → discharged untreated
• Urban India generates >55 million tonnes solid waste annually → growing at 5% per year
Waste-to-wealth = future pathway
Eg. Dehradun’s used cooking oil recycling → supports environmental goals + generates community-level income.
Public Participation = central pillar
“No government initiative can succeed without public participation.”
Swachh Bharat’s success = mass behavioural shift by citizens.
India’s Policy Framework for Sustainable Development
India embeds sustainability via:
- NAPCC
• State Action Plans
• Smart Cities Mission
• AMRUT
• Swachh Bharat Mission
LiFE initiative by PM Modi → global movement toward responsible consumption + sustainable living.
“India’s initiatives, from Green Hydrogen to Bio-Economy, Circular Economy, and Digital India, reflect our determination to harmonize economic growth with ecological balance.”
Relevant Mains Points :
- Relationship between climate + demography + resource economics
• Urbanisation externalities → floodplain violation → ecological disaster escalation
• Circular economy = industrial transformation model for developing Asia
• Behavioural change → mass-social movement → governance multiplier
• India’s climate policy → multi-pillar integrated (GH2 / bio-economy / digital public infrastructure)
UPSC Relevance: - GS-1 → Urbanisation; environmental geography
• GS-2 → Policy + governance frameworks
• GS-3 → Climate change mitigation, circular economy