Environment and Natural Resources 12 Political Science Chapter 6 CBSE Notes 2025-26

Environment and natural resources have become central topics in world politics, especially after the 1960s. Environmental problems like land degradation, water scarcity, pollution, and deforestation affect almost every country. These issues are not just scientific but deeply political. They lead to debates about who causes environmental harm, who suffers its effects, and who should take responsibility for addressing the problems.

Environmental Concerns in Global Politics The scale of environmental degradation has increased because of overuse and misuse of resources by humans. Agricultural land is hardly expanding while existing land loses fertility. Overgrazing and overfishing have also led to dwindling resources. Coastal pollution and deforestation are happening worldwide, while millions of people, especially in developing countries, lack access to clean water and sanitation, leading to serious health crises. These challenges cross borders, demanding international cooperation and solutions.

Major International Conference and Global Environmentalism The United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED), or Earth Summit, took place in Rio de Janeiro in 1992. It marked a significant shift, bringing environmental issues to the center of global politics. Over 170 countries, thousands of NGOs, and many companies attended. The summit highlighted the different priorities of developed countries (the ‘global North’) and developing countries (the ‘global South’). While the North focused on issues like ozone depletion and global warming, the South wanted to discuss economic development along with environment management.

Another important milestone was the Brundtland Report (1987), which introduced the idea of sustainable development—economic growth combined with ecological responsibility. The Rio Summit produced various conventions on climate change, biodiversity, and forest management and recommended ‘Agenda 21’—a global plan for sustainable development. However, it left some disagreements unresolved, especially around implementation.

Global Commons and Antarctica Global commons are resources not owned by any one country—they’re shared by everyone. Examples include the earth’s atmosphere, Antarctica, ocean floors, and outer space. Managing these commons is challenging because it requires countries to cooperate and trust one another. Treaties such as the Antarctic Treaty (1959), the Montreal Protocol (1987), and rules for environmental protection in Antarctica help limit exploitation. Still, disagreements, especially between developed and developing countries, continue.

Antarctica is notable as it has 90% of all terrestrial ice and 70% of the planet’s fresh water. Several countries claim parts of it, but most nations treat it as a global commons for research and limited tourism. However, even scientific and minimal human activities can degrade the Antarctic environment.

Common but Differentiated Responsibilities A key idea from the Rio Declaration is that all countries share responsibility for environmental protection, but those who have polluted more—and have more resources—should do more to fix it. This principle, called ‘common but differentiated responsibilities,’ recognizes historic contributions to environmental problems. Agreements like the Kyoto Protocol (1997) set emission targets mainly for developed countries, exempting developing nations like India and China for their lower per capita emissions.

Common Property Resources and Sacred Groves in India Common property resources are managed collectively by a community, following traditional rules about usage and conservation. Examples include village commons and sacred groves—patches of forest preserved for religious reasons. In South India, communities have protected sacred groves for centuries. However, with privatisation, population growth, and shifting policies, many of these commons are now under threat or have been lost, affecting poor communities most.

India’s Stand on Environmental Issues India signed the Kyoto Protocol in 2002 and ratified the Paris Agreement in 2016. India believes developed countries should lead efforts to curb emissions as they bear historical responsibility for most pollution. India’s per capita emissions are still low compared to global averages. At international forums, India argues for financial and technological support from richer nations. Domestically, India has taken steps such as the Energy Conservation Act (2001), the National Auto-fuel Policy, and promotion of renewable energy sources, including a National Mission for Biodiesel.

Environmental Movements Many environmental movements started as grassroots campaigns by ordinary people. Some focus on local issues, while others tackle global ones. Forest movements in the South (like in India, Brazil, and Africa) emphasize that people and forests are closely connected. Unlike countries in the North, where conservation often means keeping people out, in the South, protection and livelihoods are often linked. In India, movements like the Narmada Bachao Andolan fight against big dams, calling for sustainable and equitable river management using non-violence.

Resource Geopolitics Control over resources has historically shaped global politics. The fight for vital resources such as oil and water causes competition and sometimes conflict between countries. Oil, mainly located in West Asia (Gulf region), is essential to the world economy and has played a key role in wars and international relations. Water scarcity and disputes over shared rivers, like between Israel, Syria, Jordan, Turkey, and Iraq, threaten peace in many regions.

Indigenous Peoples and Their Rights Indigenous peoples, often called Scheduled Tribes in India, have distinct cultures and a special connection to land and resources. They have faced loss of land and livelihood, often because of development projects. While some gains have been made in political rights, the cost for these communities has been high. Since the 1970s, indigenous movements worldwide have begun to demand recognition, equality, and the right to protect their traditional lands and resources.

Practice Questions and Activities The chapter concludes with exercises on concepts like global commons, differentiated responsibility, India’s stand, and the balance between development and environmental protection. Teachers are encouraged to guide students in evaluating their own resource consumption and the broader implications for sustainable development.

Class 12 Political Science Chapter 6 Notes – Environment and Natural Resources: Quick Revision Key Points

These Class 12 Contemporary World Politics notes on “Environment and Natural Resources” cover all important topics, including environmental challenges, global commons, resource geopolitics, and India's approach to international treaties. Carefully summarized, these notes simplify complex NCERT content for quick revision before exams and help clarify key terms and events.

By using these CBSE Political Science Chapter 6 revision notes, students can understand differences between developed and developing nations, principles like “common but differentiated responsibilities,” and the significance of international agreements. This concise overview makes last-minute preparation easier and boosts memory of vital points for better class 12 board results.