Sustainable Development: Global Challenges and Emerging Solutions

Sustainable development has become the central organizing idea for tackling the intertwined crises of poverty, inequality, climate change, and environmental degradation. Yet progress on the 2030 Agenda remains uneven, and many developing countries face the sharpest trade-offs between economic growth, social inclusion and ecological limits. Sustainable Development: Global Challenges and Emerging Solutions gives a comprehensive, evidence-based and policy-relevant account of these challenges and of the solutions now emerging to address them.

The book begins with the concepts, history and theory of sustainable development and the architecture of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It then examines the major challenge areas: poverty and inequality, food security, health, education, clean energy, sustainable cities, climate change and biodiversity loss. It also covers solution pathways, including sustainable production and consumption, the circular economy, green technology, SDG financing and the governance and institutional arrangements needed to deliver change. Throughout, it draws on empirical evidence, comparative cases and developing-country perspectives, particularly the constraints and opportunities faced in South Asia and other emerging economies.

Written for students, researchers, policymakers and development practitioners, the book connects theory with practice and shows how integrated, innovative and well-financed strategies can accelerate progress toward a more inclusive, resilient and sustainable future.