Publication Details
Abstract
The global sustainability agenda, championed through international frameworks like the Paris Agreement and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), promotes a vision of environmentally conscious growth, equity, and resilience. However, this narrative often masks deeper contradictions and structural inadequacies that challenge its practical realization. This paper interrogates the so-called "green myth"—the assumption that sustainable development is steadily progressing through current policy frameworks and technological solutions. It explores a multifaceted spectrum of challenges facing environmental conservation and sustainable growth in the 21st century.
Traditional threats such as climate change, deforestation, and biodiversity loss persist with alarming intensity, while new-age challenges—ranging from digital overdependence and environmental data manipulation to socio-political fragmentation and economic inequalities—further complicate the sustainability landscape. Through a qualitative, interdisciplinary methodology, this study synthesizes insights from academic research, international institutional reports, and real-world case studies across various geopolitical regions. Special focus is given to the gaps between environmental commitments and tangible outcomes, revealing patterns of greenwashing, fragmented governance, and misaligned development priorities.
By analysing global and regional trends, the paper argues for a paradigm shift in how sustainability is conceptualized and implemented. It advocates for intersectional and adaptive governance structures, community-led ecological restoration, ethical technology regulation, and a recalibrated economic model that values ecological boundaries and social justice. Ultimately, the research underscores the necessity of moving beyond symbolic environmentalism to embrace actionable, inclusive, and transformative sustainability strategies.