Mains Practice Questions

Introduction

Sustainability is not just a policy choice but an ethical responsibility towards future generations and planetary well-being. Ethical governance, corporate accountability, and individual responsibility play a crucial role in ensuring sustainable environmental practices. Ethical decision-making must align economic progress with environmental conservation, fostering a balance between development and ecological responsibility.

Body

• Role of Corporate Ethics in Sustainability
  • Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) mandates ethical environmental practices, requiring companies to mitigate their ecological footprint.
  • The ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) framework promotes sustainable investments, ensuring businesses prioritize long-term ecological well-being.
  • Green supply chains and ethical production models reduce environmental harm, encouraging waste management and renewable energy use.
    • Example: Tata Group’s green manufacturing practices and ITC’s "Well-being Out of Waste" (WOW) initiative promote sustainable waste management.
• Role of Governance in Sustainability
  • Environmental laws and governance frameworks enforce sustainability, ensuring compliance with climate and pollution control policies.
    • Example: NTPC’s focus on clean energy and sustainable mobility aligns business goals with environmental ethics.
  • Government initiatives like the National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC) drive sustainable development in key sectors.
  • Policies like Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) hold corporations accountable for plastic waste management and recycling.
    • Example: India's banning of single-use plastics (2022) reflects policy-driven ethical responsibility toward sustainability.
• Role of Individual Responsibility in Sustainability
  • Ethical consumerism drives demand for sustainable products, encouraging corporate accountability and environmental awareness.
  • Reducing carbon footprints through energy conservation, waste reduction, and afforestation is a moral duty for individuals.
    • For example, the "Swachh Bharat Abhiyan" engaged citizens in waste management, fostering ethical environmental responsibility.
  • Citizen-led movements like "Save Aarey Forest" showcase the power of collective environmental responsibility.
    • Example: Water conservationist Rajendra Singh’s work on reviving rivers highlights ethical individual leadership in sustainability.

Conclusion

Sustainability is not just a legal or economic goal but an ethical imperative requiring commitment from corporations, governments, and individuals. A multi-stakeholder approach combining corporate ethics, strong governance, and responsible citizenship can ensure a resilient and sustainable future.