Who gave the definition of sustainable development?

The Brundtland Commission (1987) — formally the World Commission on Environment and Development. It defined sustainable development as 'meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.'

What was the Chipko Movement?

The Chipko Movement (1973) was a non-violent forest conservation movement in Uttarakhand where villagers, especially women, hugged trees to prevent loggers from cutting them. It is one of the earliest environmental movements and inspired global ecological consciousness.

Green GDP is GDP adjusted for environmental degradation and resource depletion. It deducts the cost of environmental damage from conventional GDP, giving a more accurate picture of sustainable economic progress.

What are the main environmental challenges India faces?

Major challenges: (1) Air pollution (urban PM2.5, vehicular emissions); (2) Water pollution (rivers, groundwater); (3) Land degradation and soil erosion; (4) Deforestation; (5) Biodiversity loss; (6) Solid waste management; (7) Climate change impacts (heatwaves, monsoon disruption); (8) Ozone depletion. India ranks among the most polluted countries in air quality indices.

What is the Kyoto Protocol?

The Kyoto Protocol (1997, in force 2005) is an international treaty under the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change. It commits developed countries to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by specified targets. India is a signatory but, as a developing country, was not bound by emission reduction targets in the first commitment period — based on the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities.

What was the Chipko Movement?

The Chipko Movement (1973) was a non-violent forest conservation movement that began in Uttarakhand. Villagers, particularly women led by Sunderlal Bahuguna and Chandi Prasad Bhatt, hugged trees to prevent contractors from cutting them. It became a global symbol of grassroots environmentalism and influenced India's National Forest Policy.

What is the difference between renewable and non-renewable resources?

Renewable resources can replenish themselves naturally over time — solar, wind, hydropower, biomass, geothermal. Non-renewable resources have finite stocks and cannot be replenished within a human timescale — coal, petroleum, natural gas, atomic minerals. Sustainable development requires shifting from non-renewable to renewable resources.

What is Green GDP and why is it important?

Green GDP adjusts conventional GDP by subtracting the cost of environmental degradation and resource depletion. It gives a truer picture of long-run prosperity by accounting for the natural capital being consumed during production. A high GDP with rapid environmental destruction is unsustainable — Green GDP highlights this trade-off.

Are Environment & Sustainable Development MCQs important for CBSE Class 12 boards?

Yes. This chapter is part of Unit 7 (Current Challenges Facing Indian Economy) of CBSE Class 12 Economics, which carries 22 marks weightage — the highest in IED. The Brundtland definition, Kyoto Protocol, Chipko Movement, and India's environmental indicators are tested every year as 1-mark, 3-mark, and 4-mark questions.

How many MCQs does Just Practice offer on Environment & Sustainable Development?

Just Practice has 75 free MCQs on Environment and Sustainable Development for CBSE Class 12 Economics, covering the meaning of environment, threats to the environment, sustainable development (Brundtland), Chipko Movement, climate treaties (Kyoto, Montreal), and India's environmental challenges. Each question includes the correct answer and explanation.

75 MCQs 50 Flashcards Unit 7 · 22 marks weightage Updated April 2026

Unit 7 · Part B: IED · Chapter 9

Environment & Sustainable Development

Q: What is sustainable development?

Sustainable development, defined by the Brundtland Commission (1987), is 'development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.' It balances economic growth, environmental protection, and social equity. The Brundtland definition is the most-cited in CBSE board questions.

Functions of the environment, global warming, Kyoto Protocol, ozone depletion, the Brundtland Commission definition, Chipko Movement, and strategies for sustainability — exam-ready for CBSE Class 12.

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Functions of the Environment

The environment performs four critical functions for human economic activity:

Source of resources: Provides natural resources — renewable (forests, water, solar energy) and non-renewable (coal, oil, minerals) — as inputs to production.
Sink for waste: Absorbs and neutralises waste generated by production and consumption. This is the environment's absorptive capacity.
Sustains life: Provides the ecological services (clean air, water cycle, climate regulation) without which life cannot exist.
Aesthetic value: Provides enjoyment, recreation, and quality of life — mountains, rivers, forests have value beyond mere economics.

When economic activity causes pollution beyond the environment's absorptive capacity, or depletes resources faster than they regenerate, environmental degradation occurs.

Global Environmental Issues

Global Warming: Greenhouse gases (CO2, CH4 — methane, N2O, CFCs) trap solar radiation in the atmosphere, raising global temperatures. IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change) documents the scientific consensus. Consequences: sea-level rise, extreme weather, biodiversity loss.
Ozone Depletion: CFCs (Chlorofluorocarbons) used in refrigerants and aerosols destroy the stratospheric ozone layer, allowing harmful UV radiation to reach Earth. Montreal Protocol (1987) was the global treaty to phase out CFCs.
Acid Rain: SO2 and NOx emissions from power plants and vehicles react with atmospheric moisture to form H2SO4 (sulphuric acid) and HNO3 (nitric acid) — acid rain. Damages forests, water bodies, and buildings.
Deforestation: Clearing of forests for agriculture, industry, and urbanisation. Reduces carbon sinks, causes soil erosion, destroys biodiversity.
Land Degradation: Soil erosion, waterlogging, salinity from overuse of chemicals and irrigation reduce agricultural productivity.

Sustainable Development

The Brundtland Commission (UN World Commission on Environment and Development, 1987) defined sustainable development as: "Development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs."

Key strategies for sustainable development include:

Shift to renewable energy sources (solar, wind, hydro)
Waste recycling and resource efficiency
Population control and stabilisation
Appropriate technology that minimises environmental impact
Carbon tax — making pollution costly to reduce emissions
Afforestation — planting trees to restore carbon sinks
Environmental accounting / Green GDP — subtracting environmental damage from GDP to get a true picture of national welfare

International Treaties and Agreements

Kyoto Protocol (1997): Binding emission reduction targets for developed (Annex I) countries. Based on CBDR — Common but Differentiated Responsibilities. Developing nations like India had no binding targets under Kyoto.
Paris Agreement (2015): Successor to Kyoto. All countries submit Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). More inclusive but less binding.
Montreal Protocol (1987): Phased out CFC production and use. Considered the most successful international environmental treaty — the ozone hole has slowly been recovering.

India-Specific Environmental Issues

Chipko Movement (1973–74): In Uttarakhand, Gaura Devi led village women to hug trees (chipko = to hug/stick) to prevent commercial felling. Coined: "ecology is permanent economy." Inspired global environmental activism. Led to a ban on tree-felling in Himalayan forests above 1,000 metres.
Ganga Action Plan: Government initiative to reduce pollution in the Ganga. Later succeeded by the Namami Gange programme.
Narmada Bachao Andolan: Movement led by Medha Patkar against the Sardar Sarovar Dam on the Narmada — raised issues of displacement, ecology, and development trade-offs.
Green GDP / Environmental Accounting: Adjusting national income figures by subtracting the cost of environmental degradation to get a realistic measure of sustainable income.

Key Concepts at a Glance

Definition

Brundtland Commission (1987) UN World Commission on Environment and Development. Defined Sustainable Development: "meets the needs of the present without compromising future generations' ability to meet their own needs."

Environment Function

Absorptive Capacity Environment's ability to absorb waste/pollution. When pollution exceeds absorptive capacity, environment degrades. E.g., CO2 beyond forest absorption capacity leads to global warming.

Treaty

Kyoto Protocol (1997) Binding emission reduction targets for developed (Annex I) nations. Principle of CBDR (Common but Differentiated Responsibilities). Developing nations like India had no binding targets.

India

Chipko Movement 1973–74, Uttarakhand. Gaura Devi led women to hug trees to prevent commercial felling. Coined 'ecology is permanent economy'. Led to ban on felling in Himalayan forests. Globally inspirational.

Sample MCQs

1. Sustainable Development was defined by the Brundtland Commission in:

1972
1987 ✓
1992
1997

The Brundtland Commission (WCED — World Commission on Environment and Development) published its report "Our Common Future" in 1987, coining the definition of sustainable development.

2. The Montreal Protocol (1987) was signed to address:

Global warming
Acid rain
Ozone layer depletion ✓
Deforestation

The Montreal Protocol specifically targeted ozone-depleting substances, primarily CFCs. It phased out their production and is considered the most successful international environmental agreement.

3. (Numerical) If a country emits 500 MT of CO2 and the environment can absorb 200 MT, what is the excess emission?

700 MT
200 MT
300 MT ✓
500 MT

Excess emission = Total emission − Absorptive capacity = 500 − 200 = 300 MT. This excess accumulates in the atmosphere, contributing to global warming.

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