Introduction
Social justice, intrinsically linked to human rights and equitable development, finds a powerful global framework in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Adopted by all United Nations Member States in 2015, the SDGs are a universal call to action to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure that all people enjoy peace and prosperity by 2030. They represent a fundamental shift from the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) by emphasizing universality, integration, and the principle of "Leave No One Behind". For a diverse and developing nation like India, the SDGs are not merely international commitments but a guiding blueprint for national development policies aimed at achieving social justice for its vast population, addressing intertwined challenges of poverty, inequality, health, education, and climate change. This topic explores the direct linkages of SDGs to social justice, India's progress and challenges in achieving them, and the broader global efforts and international frameworks that support these goals.
SDGs and their Relevance to India
Overview of 2030 Agenda
Adoption
Adopted by all 193 UN Member States at the United Nations Sustainable Development Summit in September 2015.
Goals & Targets
Consists of 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and 169 specific targets. These goals are integrated and indivisible, balancing the three dimensions of sustainable development: social, economic, and environmental.
Universality
Applicable to all countries (developed and developing), recognizing shared responsibility.
"Leave No One Behind" Principle
A central tenet, emphasizing a commitment to eradicate poverty in all its forms, end discrimination, and prioritize the needs of the most vulnerable and marginalized populations. This principle directly embodies the spirit of social justice.
Five Ps
The agenda is often articulated around five core elements: People, Planet, Prosperity, Peace, and Partnership.
Direct Linkages to Social Justice
SDG 1: No Poverty
Eradicating extreme poverty for all people everywhere.
Social Justice Link: Poverty is a fundamental injustice, denying basic human dignity and opportunities. This goal directly targets economic inequality.
SDG 2: Zero Hunger
Ending hunger, achieving food security, and improved nutrition.
Social Justice Link: Access to adequate food is a basic human right. Food insecurity disproportionately affects marginalized communities, and this goal addresses this disparity.
SDG 3: Good Health & Well-being
Ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for all at all ages.
Social Justice Link: Health is a prerequisite for human development and participation. This goal addresses inequities in healthcare access, maternal and child health, and disease burden.
SDG 4: Quality Education
Ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education and promoting lifelong learning opportunities for all.
Social Justice Link: Education is an equalizer, empowering individuals and breaking cycles of poverty. This goal addresses disparities in access to quality learning and skills development.
SDG 5: Gender Equality
Achieving gender equality and empowering all women and girls.
Social Justice Link: Gender-based discrimination is a pervasive injustice. This goal targets ending all forms of discrimination and violence against women and girls, ensuring their equal participation.
SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
Reducing inequality within and among countries.
Social Justice Link: This goal directly confronts social justice by focusing on income inequality, discrimination based on age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion, or economic or other status. It seeks to empower and promote the social, economic, and political inclusion of all.
SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
Promoting peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, providing access to justice for all, and building effective, accountable, and inclusive institutions at all levels.
Social Justice Link: Justice and strong, accountable institutions are fundamental for upholding human rights, ensuring rule of law, protecting vulnerable groups, and combating corruption, which disproportionately harms the poor.
India's Progress & Challenges
NITI Aayog's SDG India Index
Purpose: Measures the progress of states and Union Territories on the SDGs. It was first launched in 2018.
Methodology: A composite index based on a range of indicators, designed to track progress at the sub-national level. States/UTs are categorized as Aspirant, Performer, Front Runner, or Achiever.
Latest Edition: SDG India Index & Dashboard 2020-21 (released June 2021). (Note: A comprehensive index for all states has not been released since then, but NITI Aayog has released District SDG Index and various thematic reports).
Top Performers (2020-21): Kerala, Himachal Pradesh, Tamil Nadu.
Bottom Performers (2020-21): Bihar, Jharkhand, Assam (reflecting persistent development gaps).
Improvement Areas: Notable improvements in SDG 6 (Clean Water & Sanitation), SDG 7 (Affordable & Clean Energy), SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities & Communities), and SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption & Production).
Challenges: Persistent challenges in SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), SDG 5 (Gender Equality), SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities), and SDG 16 (Peace, Justice & Strong Institutions).
Integration into National Policy
Flagship schemes like Swachh Bharat Abhiyan (SDG 6), Ayushman Bharat (SDG 3), Poshan Abhiyaan (SDG 2), PM Ujjwala Yojana (SDG 7), and PMAY (SDG 11) are aligned with specific SDGs. NITI Aayog acts as the nodal agency for monitoring SDGs in India.
Challenges in Achieving Targets
- Data Gaps: Lack of granular, real-time, and disaggregated data at sub-national levels for all indicators, making precise monitoring difficult.
- Inter-State Disparities: Significant variations in performance across states, reflecting uneven development.
- Resource Mobilization: Adequate funding and technical resources are needed to meet ambitious targets.
- Implementation Gaps: Challenges in last-mile delivery, targeting errors, and inter-ministerial coordination.
- Leaving No One Behind: Ensuring benefits reach the most vulnerable, including tribal populations, disabled, LGBTQ+ persons, and manual scavengers, remains a persistent challenge.
- Impact of Global Shocks: Events like the COVID-19 pandemic and climate change impacts have slowed progress on several SDGs.
Table 1: Key Social Justice-related SDGs and India's Position (Based on SDG India Index 2020-21 trends)
| SDG | Goal | India's Trend (2020-21) | Key Challenges/Gaps |
|---|---|---|---|
| SDG 1 | No Poverty | Improved | High levels of multidimensional poverty, especially in rural areas; vulnerability to economic shocks. |
| SDG 2 | Zero Hunger | Lagging (Performer) | High prevalence of malnutrition, stunting, wasting; food insecurity for vulnerable groups. |
| SDG 3 | Good Health & Well-being | Improved | High IMR/MMR (though declining), NCDs, healthcare access disparities, low public health expenditure. |
| SDG 4 | Quality Education | Improved | Learning outcomes gaps (ASER), digital divide in education, school dropout rates at secondary level. |
| SDG 5 | Gender Equality | Lagging (Performer) | Declining CSR (in some regions), gender-based violence, low women's labour force participation, political underrepresentation. |
| SDG 10 | Reduced Inequalities | Lagging (Performer/Aspirant) | High income and wealth inequality, caste/religious discrimination, regional disparities. |
| SDG 16 | Peace, Justice & Strong Institutions | Lagging (Performer) | Pendency of court cases, high incarceration rates (esp. undertrials), corruption, violence against vulnerable groups. |
Global Efforts & Frameworks
UN Conventions & Declarations
Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), 1948
Significance: Foundational document, proclaiming universal human rights as inherent, inalienable, and applicable to all. It includes civil, political, economic, social, and cultural rights.
Social Justice Link: Provides the philosophical and legal basis for social justice, enshrining rights to life, liberty, equality, social security, work, education, and an adequate standard of living.
India's Stance: India is a signatory and its Constitution reflects many of the UDHR principles (Fundamental Rights, DPSP).
International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR), 1966
Significance: A multilateral treaty committing its parties to work towards the granting of economic, social, and cultural rights, including labour rights, right to health, right to education, and right to an adequate standard of living.
Social Justice Link: Legally entrenches many social justice principles, obligating states to progressively realize these rights.
India's Stance: India is a signatory and has ratified ICESCR.
Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), 1989
Significance: Most widely ratified human rights treaty. Sets out the civil, political, economic, social, health, and cultural rights of children.
Social Justice Link: Ensures specific protections and provisions for children, a highly vulnerable group, recognizing their unique needs for development, protection, and participation.
India's Stance: India ratified the CRC in 1992.
Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), 1979
Significance: Often described as an international bill of rights for women. Defines what constitutes discrimination against women and sets up an agenda for national action to end such discrimination.
Social Justice Link: Directly addresses gender inequality and discrimination, advocating for women's equal rights in all spheres of life (political, economic, social, cultural, civil).
India's Stance: India ratified CEDAW in 1993.
Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), 2006
Significance: Promotes, protects, and ensures the full and equal enjoyment of all human rights and fundamental freedoms by all persons with disabilities, and promotes respect for their inherent dignity.
Social Justice Link: Addresses the systemic discrimination and marginalization faced by PwDs, calling for their full inclusion and participation in society.
India's Stance: India signed CRPD in 2007 and ratified it in 2007 itself, leading to the enactment of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016.
Role of International Bodies
United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
Role: Lead UN agency for poverty eradication and sustainable development. Supports countries in achieving the SDGs.
Key Initiatives: Publishes the annual Human Development Report (HDR), which measures human development beyond GDP (HDI, IHDI, GII etc.). Supports national capacity building for SDG implementation.
World Health Organization (WHO)
Role: Directing and coordinating authority on international health within the UN system. Plays a crucial role in achieving SDG 3 (Good Health & Well-being).
Key Initiatives: Sets global health norms and standards, provides technical support to countries, leads global health campaigns (e.g., vaccination, NCD prevention). Publishes various global health reports.
United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF)
Role: Works for the rights and well-being of every child, particularly in developing countries. Focuses on child survival, development, protection, and education.
Key Initiatives: Advocates for children's rights (CRC), delivers humanitarian and development aid, produces reports on child status (e.g., The State of the World's Children).
Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)
Role: Leads international efforts to defeat hunger. Supports countries in achieving food security and sustainable agriculture.
Key Initiatives: Provides expertise in food and agriculture, assists in policy formulation, monitors global food security (e.g., The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World - SOFI report).
International Labour Organization (ILO)
Role: Promotes rights at work, encourages decent employment opportunities, enhances social protection, and strengthens dialogue on work-related issues.
Key Initiatives: Sets international labour standards, works against child labour (e.g., global estimates of child labour), forced labour, and promotes fair wages and social protection.
World Bank
Role: Provides financial and technical assistance to developing countries around the world. Focuses on poverty reduction and shared prosperity.
Key Initiatives: Funds development projects, provides policy advice, publishes various reports on economic development, poverty, and human capital (e.g., World Development Report).
Key Global Reports
World Social Report (UN DESA)
Focus: Produced by the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA). Examines current global social trends and issues, including inequality, poverty, social inclusion, and demographic changes.
Human Development Report (UNDP)
Focus: Annual report published by UNDP. Measures human development beyond economic growth, using the Human Development Index (HDI), Inequality-adjusted HDI (IHDI), Gender Inequality Index (GII), etc.
Relevance: Highlights disparities in human development across countries and within countries, providing a crucial perspective on social justice.
Global Gender Gap Report (World Economic Forum - WEF)
Focus: Annually measures the current state and evolution of gender parity across four key dimensions: Economic Participation and Opportunity, Educational Attainment, Health and Survival, and Political Empowerment.
Relevance: Provides a global benchmark for gender inequality, a key social justice issue. (India's ranking in Global Gender Gap Report 2023 was 127 out of 146 countries, an improvement from 135 in 2022).
Climate Change & Social Justice
Impact on Vulnerable Populations
Climate change disproportionately affects the poor and marginalized, exacerbating existing inequalities.
- Displacement: Rising sea levels, extreme weather events (floods, droughts) force internal and international migration, displacing communities.
- Food & Water Insecurity: Climate impacts on agriculture lead to crop failures, hunger, and scarcity of clean water, affecting subsistence farmers and urban poor most severely.
- Health Impacts: Heat stress, vector-borne diseases, and respiratory illnesses increase, particularly in populations with limited healthcare access.
- Livelihood Loss: Destruction of coastal ecosystems, agricultural land, and informal sector jobs.
Concept of 'Climate Justice'
Definition: Recognizes that climate change is an ethical and political issue, not just an environmental one. It holds that those who are historically least responsible for climate change often suffer its worst consequences, and therefore, solutions must be equitable and fair.
Core Principles:
- Historical Responsibility: Developed nations, historically larger emitters, have a greater responsibility to mitigate and provide financial/technological support.
- Equitable Burden-Sharing: Climate action should not disproportionately burden developing nations or marginalized communities within them.
- Human Rights Approach: Climate action must protect and promote human rights (e.g., right to life, water, food, health, cultural rights).
- Prioritizing Vulnerable: Climate finance and adaptation measures must prioritize the needs of the most vulnerable communities and nations.
Loss and Damage Fund
- Origin: A major breakthrough at COP27 in Sharm El-Sheikh (2022) and operationalized at COP28 in Dubai (2023).
- Purpose: Provides financial assistance to developing countries that are particularly vulnerable to the adverse effects of climate change, to help them cope with irreversible impacts (e.g., property destruction, forced migration, cultural loss) beyond what adaptation can address.
- Significance: A significant step towards climate justice, acknowledging the historical responsibility of developed nations and providing a dedicated mechanism for addressing impacts that cannot be avoided. Initial pledges at COP28 reached over $700 million.
Conclusion & Way Forward
The SDGs, reinforced by a robust international framework of conventions and bodies, provide a comprehensive roadmap for achieving social justice globally and in India. While India has demonstrated commitment by integrating SDGs into national policy and showing progress on many indicators, significant challenges persist, particularly in addressing deep-seated inequalities and the impacts of global phenomena like climate change.
Significance
- Universal Framework: Provides a globally agreed upon, integrated framework for addressing complex socio-economic and environmental challenges.
- Global Solidarity: Fosters international cooperation and solidarity in tackling shared global problems.
- Accountability: Encourages national and sub-national governments to track progress and be accountable for development outcomes.
- Holistic Development: Shifts focus from mere economic growth to comprehensive human well-being, equity, and environmental sustainability.
- Human Rights Foundation: Reinforces the universality and indivisibility of human rights as the bedrock of development.
Way Forward
- Strengthening Data Systems: Invest in robust, disaggregated, and real-time data collection and monitoring mechanisms to track SDG progress accurately, especially at sub-national levels.
- Enhanced Resource Mobilization: Increase public and private investment, and ensure effective utilization of funds for SDG-aligned programs.
- Cross-Sectoral Convergence: Promote greater synergy and convergence across government ministries, departments, and flagship schemes for integrated SDG implementation.
- Localizing SDGs: Empower local governments and communities to adapt and implement SDGs in a context-specific manner, ensuring inclusivity and participatory governance.
- Multi-Stakeholder Partnerships: Foster stronger partnerships between government, civil society, private sector, academia, and international organizations.
- Addressing Root Causes of Inequality: Implement targeted policies to address income, gender, and social inequalities, focusing on the principle of "Leave No One Behind."
- Climate Resilient Development: Integrate climate action with development planning, prioritizing adaptation and resilience for vulnerable populations, and actively advocating for climate justice and support from developed nations (e.g., via Loss and Damage Fund).
- Innovation and Technology: Leverage technological solutions for improved service delivery, monitoring, and data collection.
Current Affairs & Recent Developments
COP28 (December 2023, Dubai)
A landmark event where the Loss and Damage Fund was operationalized on the first day, with initial pledges exceeding $700 million. This is a significant development for climate justice, acknowledging historical responsibility for climate change and providing financial support to vulnerable nations for irreversible climate impacts.
SDG Summit 2023 (September, New York)
Convened during the UN General Assembly High-Level Week, it aimed to accelerate progress on the SDGs at the halfway point to 2030. Member states adopted a Political Declaration, reaffirming commitment to the 2030 Agenda and identifying priority actions for acceleration. India played an active role in these discussions.
UN Human Development Report 2023-24 (Expected)
While the 2021-22 report highlighted setbacks due to global crises, the upcoming report will likely focus on strategies for renewed progress towards human development and tackling inequalities in a polycrisis world. (Source: UNDP)
Global Gender Gap Report 2023 (WEF, June 2023)
India improved its ranking to 127 out of 146 countries (from 135 in 2022). This highlights progress in some areas (e.g., education enrollment) but persistent challenges in others (e.g., economic participation and political empowerment).
NITI Aayog's District SDG Index
While the overall State SDG Index hasn't been updated since 2020-21, NITI Aayog has continued to release district-level SDG indices and thematic reports (e.g., North Eastern Region District SDG Index) to promote localized monitoring and competition.
UPSC Previous Year Questions & Analysis
Prelims MCQs
1. UPSC CSE 2016
Q: "Sustainable Development Goals" were first proposed in:
- The Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro, 1992
- The World Summit on Sustainable Development in Johannesburg, 2002
- The Rio+20 Conference on Sustainable Development, 2012
- The World Economic Forum Annual Meeting, 2015
Ans: (c)
Hint: The concept of SDGs emerged from the Rio+20 conference in 2012, leading to their final adoption in 2015.
2. UPSC CSE 2018
Q: Which of the following is/are the key feature/features of the 'National Food Security Act, 2013'?
- It entitles a very large proportion of the population to receive foodgrains at subsidized rates.
- It categorizes beneficiaries into 'household' and 'individual' categories.
- It contains provisions for the nutritional support to pregnant women and lactating mothers.
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
- 1 and 2 only
- 3 only
- 1 and 3 only
- 1, 2 and 3
Ans: (c)
Hint: While the Act covers a large proportion, it doesn't categorize beneficiaries into 'household' and 'individual' in the manner implied. It covers priority households and Antyodaya Anna Yojana households. It does have explicit provisions for nutritional support for pregnant women and lactating mothers (SDG 2 link).
3. UPSC CSE 2020
Q: The Global Gender Gap Index is released by which of the following organizations?
- World Economic Forum
- United Nations Women
- United Nations Development Programme
- World Health Organization
Ans: (a)
Hint: The Global Gender Gap Report, which includes the Index, is a flagship publication of the World Economic Forum.
Mains Questions
UPSC CSE 2017 (GS Paper II)
Q: "The 'Sustainable Development Goals' (SDGs) with their universal applicability have taken the global development discourse a step further compared to the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs)." Discuss.
- Compare MDGs (developing countries focused, specific targets, 8 goals) with SDGs (universal, integrated, 17 goals, "leave no one behind", focus on environment, peace, justice).
- Emphasize how the universality, comprehensiveness, and strong social justice focus (e.g., SDG 10 on inequalities, SDG 16 on institutions) of SDGs make them a more advanced framework.
UPSC CSE 2019 (GS Paper II)
Q: "The 'Human Capital Formation' in India faces multiple challenges. Suggest effective measures for skill development and vocational training to address these challenges."
- Directly relates to SDG 4 (Quality Education) and SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth).
- Discuss challenges in human capital formation (poor health, education outcomes, skill gaps, digital divide, etc.) and then link measures for skill development (PMKVY, DDU-GKY) to achieve these SDGs and address social justice issues related to employability and livelihood.
UPSC CSE 2022 (GS Paper III)
Q: "Describe the key points of the revised Global Forest Goals (GFG) framework of the United Nations (UN) and analyse the extent to which India has implemented the revised GFG." (Can be linked to SDG 15 and Climate Justice)
- While focusing on forest goals, one can draw a connection to environmental social justice. SDG 15 (Life on Land) directly links.
- Discuss how sustainable forest management contributes to livelihoods of forest-dependent communities (social justice), indigenous rights, and climate change mitigation, thereby serving principles of climate justice by protecting vulnerable ecosystems and communities.
Trend Analysis
Over the last 10 years, UPSC's questioning style for "Sustainable Development Goals & Social Justice" has become more nuanced and analytical for both Prelims and Mains:
Prelims:
- Core Concepts: Consistent focus on the basic understanding of SDGs (17 goals, 2030 Agenda, "Leave No One Behind").
- Specific Goals: Questions often test knowledge of specific SDG numbers and their associated objectives, especially those directly related to social themes (Poverty, Hunger, Health, Education, Gender, Inequality).
- Reports & Indices: NITI Aayog's SDG India Index is highly relevant, often asking about its purpose, methodology, or top/bottom performing states. Global reports like HDR and Global Gender Gap Report are also frequently tested for their issuing body or key findings.
- International Conventions: Awareness of major UN human rights conventions (UDHR, ICESCR, CRC, CEDAW, CRPD) and their broad objectives is important.
- Current Affairs Integration: Recent developments related to SDG summits (e.g., 2023 summit), climate change (Loss and Damage Fund), or India's specific SDG progress reports are increasingly asked.
Mains:
- Analytical Comparison: Questions frequently require a comparative analysis (e.g., MDGs vs. SDGs) or a critical examination of India's progress.
- Integration and Mainstreaming: Focus on how SDGs are integrated into national policies and flagship schemes, and the challenges in achieving specific targets.
- Social Justice Nexus: Strong emphasis on the direct linkages between specific SDGs and various dimensions of social justice (e.g., how SDG 10 directly addresses inequality, or how SDG 5 tackles gender injustice).
- Global Challenges & Cooperation: Climate change's impact on vulnerable populations, the concept of 'climate justice', and the role of international cooperation (including bodies like UNDP, World Bank) are recurring themes. Questions often ask about India's role and commitment to these global efforts.
- Implementation Gaps: Similar to other social justice topics, Mains questions will probe the challenges in implementation, resource mobilization, data gaps, and inter-state disparities in achieving SDG targets.
- Way Forward: Solutions-oriented approach, focusing on specific measures for accelerating SDG progress, strengthening data, and fostering multi-stakeholder partnerships.
Original Practice Questions
Original Prelims MCQs
1. Consider the following statements regarding India's progress on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):
- NITI Aayog is the nodal agency responsible for monitoring and facilitating SDG implementation in India.
- As per the latest SDG India Index, India has shown significant improvement in SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) indicators.
- The principle of "Leave No One Behind" is a central guiding tenet of India's SDG implementation strategy.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- 1 and 2 only
- 1 and 3 only
- 2 and 3 only
- 1, 2 and 3
Ans: (b)
Explanation:
Statement 1 is correct. NITI Aayog is indeed the nodal agency for SDG implementation and monitoring in India.
Statement 2 is incorrect. As per the SDG India Index 2020-21, SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) remained one of the challenging goals where India was categorized as a 'Performer' but with persistent issues, not significant improvement across the board.
Statement 3 is correct. The "Leave No One Behind" principle of the 2030 Agenda is a core aspect of India's approach to equitable and inclusive development.
2. Which of the following UN Conventions/Declarations primarily aims to eliminate all forms of discrimination against women?
- Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR)
- International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR)
- Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW)
- Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD)
Ans: (c)
Explanation: CEDAW is specifically designed as an international bill of rights for women, aiming to eliminate discrimination against women in all forms. While other conventions address human rights broadly, CEDAW's focus is precise.
Original Descriptive Questions for Mains
Question: "The principle of 'Leave No One Behind' is central to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), reflecting a strong commitment to social justice. Critically analyze India's efforts to operationalize this principle in its SDG implementation, highlighting the challenges that persist for specific vulnerable groups." (15 marks, 250 words)
Key Points/Structure for Answering:
- Introduction: Define 'Leave No One Behind' as the core of SDGs and its direct link to social justice. State India's commitment.
- India's Efforts to Operationalize: Policy alignment (Flagship schemes like Ayushman Bharat, PMAY, MGNREGA, Poshan Abhiyaan designed to reach marginalized). Data Disaggregation (NITI Aayog's SDG India Index attempts to disaggregate data). Targeted Interventions (schemes for SC/ST, women, elderly, PwDs, minorities). Legal Frameworks (RPwD Act 2016, Transgender Persons Act 2019, POCSO, JJ Act). DBT/Aadhaar (tools to ensure benefits reach intended beneficiaries directly).
- Challenges that Persist for Vulnerable Groups: Exclusion Errors (many deserving individuals fall through the cracks due to rigid eligibility, documentation, digital exclusion). Intersectionality (individuals facing multiple vulnerabilities often experience compounded exclusion). Social Stigma & Discrimination (e.g., LGBTQ+, manual scavengers, certain castes continues to hinder access). Last-Mile Delivery (bureaucratic apathy, lack of awareness, geographical barriers). Data Gaps (insufficient granular data for specific vulnerable sub-groups). COVID-19 Impact (disproportionately affected migrant workers, urban poor, daily wage earners).
- Conclusion: Emphasize that while India has made strides, realizing 'Leave No One Behind' requires going beyond programmatic approaches to dismantle systemic discrimination, strengthen grassroots governance, ensure universal access to basic rights, and build robust data ecosystems that capture every individual's needs.
Question: "The concept of 'climate justice' has emerged as a critical dimension of the global climate change discourse. Elaborate on this concept and discuss how the operationalization of the Loss and Damage Fund at COP28 contributes to advancing climate justice for developing countries." (15 marks, 250 words)
Key Points/Structure for Answering:
- Introduction: Briefly define climate change as a global challenge with uneven impacts, leading to the rise of 'climate justice'.
- Elaboration on 'Climate Justice' Concept: Ethical & Political Issue (not just environmental; addresses fairness, equity, and human rights). Historical Responsibility (developed nations, having contributed most to emissions, bear greater responsibility). Disproportionate Impact (vulnerable communities/nations bear the brunt despite low contributions). Equitable Burden-Sharing (calls for fair distribution of responsibilities and costs). Human Rights Link (climate action must protect human rights).
- Loss and Damage Fund at COP28 & Climate Justice: Context (long-standing demand by developing nations for financial support). Operationalization at COP28 (a breakthrough decision). Contribution to Climate Justice (Acknowledgement of Responsibility by developed nations; Dedicated Financing for unavoidable impacts; Solidarity & Equity with developing nations; Protection of Vulnerable populations).
- Conclusion: Conclude by emphasizing that the Loss and Damage Fund, while a significant milestone, is just a first step towards true climate justice. Continued commitment, substantial funding, and equitable governance of the fund are essential.