Development refers to the process of the creation and growth of something new or pre-existing. Infrastructural development and the creation of more and more civic amenities can pose a threat to the environment, given the thoughtless way it is often carried out. Hence, there arises the need to protect the environment as these developmental tasks are undertaken. Environmental protection is the act of conserving and protecting the environment from the actions of individuals, organisations, and governments. Environment protection involves conserving natural resources and reducing the risks to the environment from hazardous materials causing contamination. 

Environmental Impact of Development

With more and more development, we are likely to see an impact on the environment. The environmental impacts of development include higher consumption rates of non-renewable resources, higher levels of pollution, global warming, and the loss of natural habitats, ecosystems, and biodiversity. 

With development, we increase our consumption, depleting our non-renewable resources stocks. For example, in the past century, there has been a decline in the availability of natural resources, like, 

• Forests (for creating space for agriculture and obtaining timber) 
• Coal, gas, oil (acting as sources of fuel) 
• Fishing stocks (due to overfishing) 
• Species diversity (damage to natural resources and destruction of natural habitats has led to species extinction) 

Given this destruction to the environment, there is a need to recognise the importance of the environment and the need for conservation of the environment. One way of doing this is turning to sustainable development. 

Sustainable Development

Sustainable development is one of the core ideas espoused by the United Nations, to balance human developmental goals and sustain natural systems so that they have the ability to provide the essential natural resources and ecosystem on which our very society and economy depend. It refers to utilising the environment to fulfil our current development goals, all the while leaving the planet in a state for upcoming generations. 

The idea of sustainable development recognises the importance of the environment and the need to conserve the environment for future generations. The concept of sustainable development reflects the very essence of development and protecting the environment going hand-in-hand. This concept was first mentioned in the 1987 Brundtland Commission Report, which described it as “development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.”

17 Sustainable Development Goals

The Department of Economic and Social Affairs of the United Nations has laid down the 17 Sustainable Development Goals in its 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. These goals are:

• Zero poverty
• No hunger
• Good health and well-being
• Gender equality
• Quality education
• Clean water and sanitation
• Economic growth and decent opportunities for work
• Reduced inequalities
• Clean and affordable energy
• Industry, innovation, and infrastructure development
• Sustainable cities and communities
• Responsible production and consumption
• Consideration of life below water
• Consideration of life on land
• Climate action
• Peace, justice, and strong institutions
• Partnerships to achieve the goals

Development while Protecting the Environment

While some economists believe that development invariably causes environmental damage, there are some who hold a much more positive view. Development can be consistent with protecting the environment and even improving it. This involves, 

• A Shift to Renewable Energy Sources

Renewable energy is becoming cheaper than non-renewable energy production, like burning coal. This has led to a 39% decline in new construction starts since 2017 and an 84% drop from 2015.

• Social Cost Pricing

Since development leads to external costs to the environment, such as pollution and toxins, economists consider it socially efficient to include these social costs in the pricing of the commodity (i.e., carbon tax). If the tax is made to compensate for the external costs to the environment, it might promote socially efficient practices and efforts to protect the environment, as people realise the need to conserve the environment. 

• Environment as a Public Good

Government ownership of the environment and its resources, environmental policies, and regulations can be imposed to limit the external costs of development on the environment and bring about the awareness to conserve the environment. 

• Technological Development

Technological advancement can be used to increase the output of the energy sources, lower costs, and a reduction in its environmental costs. For example, replacing cars that run on petrol with electric cars. 

While addressing the International Judicial Conference 2020, the Prime Minister pointed out that its forest cover has also increased substantially during its journey from the 11th to the 5th largest economy in the world. The example of India’s growth goes on to show an example of how infrastructural development is possible while protecting the environment. This requires a combination of personal awareness on the part of the citizens and stringent measures imposed by the government, especially on the hazardous practices of big corporations.