Sustainability and marginality: Reformulation of environmental identities

Abstract

This paper explores the evolving discourse on sustainability and its relationship to issues of marginality and social justice, with a focus on marginalized communities in India. It examines sustainability's impact on the global political economy, national development trajectories, socio-political structures, and marginalized groups. The limitations of mainstream sustainability are analyzed, including its anthropocentric biases. Concepts like Eco-Ambedkarism that integrate sustainability and anti-caste ideology are discussed as emerging paradigms. Strategies are proposed to expand sustainability's scope by incorporating intersectional issues and facilitating multi-stakeholder dialogues, especially with marginalized communities. The paper underscores that realizing an inclusive, equitable and just form of sustainability requires recognizing the perspectives of historically oppressed groups and consciously addressing deeply entrenched social injustices alongside environmental goals.