By: Khushbu Ahlawat, Consulting Editor, GSDN
The Environment in Contemporary International Relations
Over the last few decades, concern over the international implications of large-scale environmental problems has begun to command the attention of policymakers. The landmark 1972 United Nations Conference on the Human Environment in Stockholm discussed the right to a healthy and productive environment, including adequate food, safer water, and clean air. However, some progress has been made, notably in improving air and water quality in industrialized nations. But enormous problems remain to be solved and environmental deterioration in developing countries continues at an alarming rate, exacerbated by rapid urbanization, resource dependency, climate vulnerability, and limited institutional capacity to manage environmental risks effectively.
In the contemporary period, climate-induced disasters such as the 2022 floods in Pakistan, prolonged droughts in the Horn of Africa, and recurring wildfires in the United States, Canada, and Southern Europe have demonstrated how environmental degradation directly undermines economic stability, governance capacity, and human security. Is it possible to talk about the rise of a new global (dis)order founded on the challenges posed by environmental issus ? Recent geopolitical developments suggest that environmental stress is increasingly reshaping international politics, as seen in disputes over water-sharing arrangements such as the Nile River Basin, growing climate-related migration pressures in the Sahel and Central America, and the securitization of energy transitions amid global competition for critical minerals like lithium and rare earths.
Through the review of the state of the art on the subject, this article argues the growing importance of the environment, and natural resources in particular, in international relations; and aims to raise awareness among International Relations scholars to the potential positive impact of the development of the discipline in integration with global environmental change studies.. The increasing prominence of climate change within forums such as the UN Security Council debates, G20 summits, and COP negotiations further reinforces the argument that environmental issues are no longer peripheral but central to the contemporary global security agenda.
The Environment as a Multidimensional Issue and a Global Security Risk
Globalization, population growth, economic and social development, natural resource exploitation and scarcity, climate change, and rapid urbanization constitute the principal external drivers shaping the contemporary international system. In the Anthropocene—an era defined by humanity’s decisive impact on planetary systems—environmental sustainability has emerged not merely as a developmental concern but as a core global security imperative.
From an International Relations perspective, environmental risks are multidimensional because they simultaneously affect economic stability, political order, social cohesion, and state sovereignty. Climate change functions as a threat multiplier, intensifying existing vulnerabilities rather than acting as an isolated cause of conflict. Recent global examples illustrate this dynamic clearly: prolonged droughts in the Horn of Africa, climate-induced floods in Pakistan, and rising sea levels threatening small island states such as the Maldives and Tuvalu have undermined livelihoods, strained state capacity, and increased dependence on international assistance—thereby raising risks of instability and conflict.
Different IR theories offer distinct interpretations of this phenomenon.
- Realism views environmental scarcity—particularly of water, energy, and food—as a potential source of interstate rivalry and strategic competition, evident in disputes such as the Nile River Basin tensions and Arctic resource competition.
- Liberal institutionalism emphasizes the necessity of multilateral cooperation and global governance mechanisms, as reflected in frameworks like the Paris Climate Agreement, UNFCCC, and global climate finance regimes, which seek collective responses to transboundary environmental threats.
- Constructivist approaches highlight the evolving norms around environmental responsibility, sustainability, and climate justice, visible in the growing recognition of climate security within UN Security Council debates.
- Human security theory shifts the focus from states to individuals, underscoring how environmental degradation directly threatens food security, health, and displacement, particularly in the Global South.
Taken together, these perspectives demonstrate that environmental issues transcend traditional security boundaries. In an interconnected world, environmental degradation in one region produces political, economic, and security repercussions far beyond national borders, making environmental sustainability a central pillar of contemporary global security thinking. This reality compels states and international institutions to rethink sovereignty, prioritize preventive cooperation, and integrate environmental considerations into strategic planning, diplomacy, and conflict prevention frameworks at both regional and global levels.
Environmental Threats to Security
Environmental issues increasingly intersect with both security and economic stability, two foundational concerns of the modern state. Since the 2007 United Nations Security Council debate on climate change, environmental degradation has been progressively reframed as a security concern rather than a purely developmental or scientific issue. This securitization has been reinforced through repeated discussions in G20 summits, World Economic Forum meetings, and high-level climate diplomacy, underscoring the recognition that environmental stress can destabilize states and regions.
Contemporary global developments validate this shift.
Climate-induced disasters such as the 2022 floods in Pakistan, prolonged droughts in the Horn of Africa, and wildfires across Southern Europe, Canada, and Australia have exposed how environmental shocks undermine economic productivity, strain governance structures, and intensify humanitarian crises. These events illustrate what the UN has termed climate change as a “threat multiplier”, exacerbating existing political, social, and economic vulnerabilities.
Historically, the roots of this crisis can be traced back to the Industrial Revolution, which established resource-intensive growth patterns based on fossil fuels, large-scale water use, and rapid urbanization. While this model accelerated economic development, it also entrenched unsustainable consumption patterns. Climate change has further aggravated these pressures, particularly in resource-dependent economies.
Water insecurity represents one of the most acute manifestations of environmental threats to security. Over the past six decades, global water consumption has grown at more than twice the rate of population growth, with climate change intensifying variability in rainfall and freshwater availability.
Current examples include the Nile River Basin tensions, where Ethiopia’s Grand Renaissance Dam has heightened diplomatic friction with Egypt and Sudan, and the Indus Basin, where climate stress compounds already sensitive India–Pakistan relations. As Homer-Dixon argues, “environmental scarcity can contribute to violent conflict by increasing economic deprivation and weakening institutions”.
From a Realist perspective, such resource scarcity increases the likelihood of competition and strategic rivalry among states. In contrast, Liberal Institutionalists emphasize the role of international cooperation and regimes, arguing, as Robert Keohane notes, that “international institutions matter because they facilitate cooperation under conditions of interdependence”. Environmental regimes thus become essential tools for managing shared vulnerabilities in an anarchic international system.
Why Global Environmental Issues “Belong” to International Relations
The environment is arguably the most global, transboundary, and multidimensional issue confronting the international system today. Its impacts transcend borders, link domestic politics with global outcomes, and challenge traditional notions of sovereignty—making it a central concern for International Relations as a discipline.
International Relations, by design, examines diplomatic relations, strategic interactions, cross-border flows, and global governance mechanisms, positioning it uniquely to analyze environmental challenges. As Hedley Bull observed, “order in world politics is maintained not only by power, but by shared interests and common rules”. Environmental protection increasingly constitutes one such shared interest.
Globalization has intensified the interaction between domestic and international spheres. Environmental degradation within a state—whether deforestation, pollution, or climate vulnerability—now produces global consequences through migration, supply-chain disruptions, and security spillovers. Recent climate-driven migration from the Sahel, Central America, and South Asia demonstrates how environmental stress can influence border politics, regional stability, and international humanitarian regimes.
From a Constructivist perspective, environmental security reflects evolving global norms and identities. The growing discourse on climate justice, sustainability, and global citizenship shows how ideas shape state behavior. As Alexander Wendt famously argued, “anarchy is what states make of it”—and environmental cooperation illustrates how shared perceptions of risk can transform state interactions.
Despite this relevance, International Relations as a discipline still faces challenges, particularly in parts of the Global South where institutional capacity and academic resources remain limited. Strengthening IR scholarship on environmental issues is therefore critical not only for theoretical development but also for informing policy-making and public awareness in an interconnected world.
India’s Stand
As a responsible emerging power and a leading voice of the Global South, India has increasingly positioned itself as a constructive yet assertive actor in global environmental governance. This role is reflected in its Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (INDCs) and its sustained commitment to reducing the emissions intensity of GDP while safeguarding developmental priorities. India’s climate diplomacy is rooted in the principle of Common but Differentiated Responsibilities and Respective Capabilities (CBDR-RC), consistently emphasizing historical emissions and equity in burden-sharing.
From a Human Security perspective, India frames climate change as a threat to livelihoods, food security, water availability, and public health rather than merely an environmental or technical challenge. This approach is particularly relevant for a country with high climate vulnerability, as demonstrated by increasing heatwaves, erratic monsoons, glacial retreat in the Himalayas, and coastal risks in states such as Odisha and Gujarat. These domestic realities shape India’s emphasis on adaptation and resilience-building alongside mitigation efforts.
India’s leadership in the International Solar Alliance (ISA) exemplifies how environmental cooperation is deployed as an instrument of South–South diplomacy. By promoting affordable renewable energy solutions for developing countries, India seeks to reshape global energy transitions in a more inclusive manner. This aligns with Liberal Institutionalism, which, as Robert Keohane argues, recognizes that “international institutions facilitate cooperation by reducing uncertainty and transaction costs”. The ISA serves precisely this function by institutionalizing collaboration among climate-vulnerable states.
From a Constructivist standpoint, India’s climate diplomacy also reflects norm entrepreneurship. By foregrounding equity, climate justice, and sustainable development, India contributes to reshaping global narratives around environmental responsibility. As Alexander Wendt famously observed, “identities and interests are socially constructed”—a process evident in India’s efforts to redefine climate leadership beyond emission reduction metrics alone.
Furthermore, India’s climate engagement increasingly functions as an instrument of soft power. As Joseph Nye notes, “power in the modern world increasingly rests on the ability to shape preferences”. Through renewable energy leadership, climate finance advocacy, and multilateral engagement, India seeks to enhance its normative influence without compromising economic growth.
In sum, India’s environmental strategy reflects a pragmatic synthesis of national interest, ethical responsibility, and strategic diplomacy. By integrating development concerns with global environmental commitments, India exemplifies how emerging powers can contribute meaningfully to shaping a more equitable and cooperative global environmental order.
Conclusion
The environmental challenges examined in this article underscore the necessity of adopting a holistic understanding of environmental insecurity—one that accounts for its structural causes, socio-political contexts, and far-reaching consequences. Climate change, resource scarcity, and ecological degradation are no longer peripheral concerns; they now constitute central determinants of economic stability, political order, and human security. As Barry Buzan aptly argues, “security is about survival, but survival is not only military”—a recognition that environmental threats fundamentally reshape the meaning of security in the contemporary international system.
International Relations, as a multidisciplinary field, possesses the analytical tools required to interpret and respond to these challenges. By integrating insights from security studies, political economy, and global governance, the discipline enables a shift from reactive crisis management toward preventive and cooperative global strategies. The increasing incorporation of climate security into UN Security Council debates, G20 agendas, and COP negotiations demonstrates how environmental concerns are steadily redefining international norms and institutional priorities.
While environmental stress can intensify competition and conflict—particularly in fragile regions—it simultaneously creates unprecedented opportunities for cooperation. Transnational initiatives such as the Paris Climate Agreement, global climate finance mechanisms, and renewable energy alliances illustrate how shared ecological vulnerability can foster multilateral engagement. As Hedley Bull observed, “international order is sustained by common interests and shared rules”—and environmental preservation has emerged as one of the most compelling common interests of the twenty-first century.
Ultimately, the global environmental crisis calls for a transformation not only in policy frameworks but also in collective political imagination. Preserving the planet demands a reconceptualization of sovereignty, responsibility, and development—anchored in global solidarity and long-term sustainability. By embracing this challenge, International Relations can contribute to shaping a new global order—one defined not by domination or rivalry, but by cooperation, resilience, and the shared imperative to safeguard humanity’s common environmental future.
About the Author
Khushbu Ahlawat is a research analyst with a strong academic background in International Relations and Political Science. She has undertaken research projects at Jawaharlal Nehru University, contributing to analytical work on international and regional security issues. Alongside her research experience, she has professional exposure to Human Resources, with involvement in talent acquisition and organizational operations. She holds a Master’s degree in International Relations from Christ University, Bangalore, and a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from the University of Delhi.
