Wirtschaftswachstum, Strukturwandel und Umweltpolitik in Indien: Ansatzpunkte für eine Ökologisierung von Wirtschaft und Gesellschaft

Abstract The environmental crisis in India is primary a resource crisis, having its roots both in "modern" growth and in poverty. The crisis affects the very livelihood of a large section of the population, mainly the poor. India, given the present state of economic affairs, obviously requires economic growth, but increase in the Gross National Product cannot be the only yardstick. The growth trend appears to be extremely resource-intensive, thus leading to strong negative impacts on the environment. India’s environmental policy lacks effectiveness due to severe implementation problems; it is curative and repair-oriented rather than preventive in character. Three aspects of a strategy towards "sustainable development" appear to be worthy of further thought: (a) strengthening of environmental policy and respective institutions; (b) ecological modernization of the production process towards reducing resource (particularly energy) inputs, emissions and waste; (c) a gradual intersectoral shift in investment from hard sectors towards soft sectors. Such a strategy might have a positive impact not only on the environment but also on economic growth, employment and income distribution.