Context:
The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) released the 7th edition of the Global Environment Outlook (GEO) titled “A Future We Choose”, providing a comprehensive assessment of global environmental trends, challenges, and pathways to sustainability.
Key Concerns Highlighted in GEO-7
Climate Change & Emissions: Greenhouse gas emissions have increased by 1.5% annually since 1990, undermining climate targets.
Pollution: Approximately 9 million deaths globally are attributed annually to air, water, and soil pollution.
Land Degradation: Current land degradation rates could result in the loss of fertile and productive land equivalent to the size of Colombia or Ethiopia each year.
Key Recommendations
Integration of Indigenous and Local Knowledge: Leveraging traditional ecological knowledge for climate adaptation, biodiversity conservation, and sustainable resource management.
Investment for Net-Zero: Estimated annual investment of US$8 trillion till 2050 required to achieve global net-zero emissions.
Whole-of-Society & Government Approaches:
oShifting focus from GDP growth alone to indicators tracking human and natural capital.
oEncouraging multi-sectoral and inclusive decision-making to achieve sustainable development goals.
IAS-2026 - OPTIONAL / GEOGRAPHY / PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION / SOCIOLOGY / ANTHROPOLOGY / ORIENTATION ON 03 & 04-10-2025 
