Ecological Modernization and Inclusive Growth: Rethinking Development Paradigms for Viksit Bharat 2047

Abstract

India’s aspiration of Viksit Bharat 2047 requires development strategies that balance rapid economic growth with environmental sustainability and social equity. This paper examines Ecological Modernization (EM) as a framework for achieving inclusive growth using secondary data drawn from academic literature, government reports, policy documents, and international case studies. EM reconceptualizes environmental protection not as a constraint but as an opportunity for technological innovation, institutional reform, and green industrial development. Analysis indicates that clean technologies, circular economy practices, and green infrastructure can enhance productivity, employment, and environmental quality. However, technology-led green transitions may exacerbate regional and occupational inequalities if social safeguards are absent. Skills development, social protection, and targeted regional interventions are therefore essential to ensure inclusivity. The study proposes a policy framework encompassing green industrial policy, inclusive labor measures, decentralized governance, and fiscal instruments that internalize environmental costs. Secondary data evidence suggests that EM, when integrated with pro-poor redistribution and participatory governance, can provide a development pathway that is both environmentally resilient and socially just. The findings offer actionable insights for policymakers, scholars, and development practitioners. Overall, this research highlights the potential of EM to guide India toward a sustainable and inclusive Viksit Bharat 2047.