The complex web of global challenges—from climate change and resource scarcity to pandemics and mass migration—has exposed a key fault line in traditional international relations: the predominant lack of a focus on sustainability. The realist and liberal paradigms that have long dominated the field are increasingly insufficient for a world where environmental degradation transcends borders and threatens the very foundation of state security and global stability. A world where sustainable development has become essential to ensure long-lasting results.

This book addresses the urgent need for a new conceptual framework that places sustainability at the heart of international relations. Its primary aim is to bridge the gap between environmental discourse and international relations theory. It seeks to examine how ecological pressures are reshaping power dynamics, national interests, and global governance structures. By integrating sustainability as a core analytical lens, this book aims to equip scholars, students, and policymakers with the tools to understand and navigate the intertwined crises of the Anthropocene, ultimately arguing that a secure and equitable world order is unattainable without a fundamental commitment to ecological and social sustainability.

Walter Leal Filho is a Senior Professor and Head of the Research and Transfer Centre "Sustainable Development and Climate Change Management” at Hamburg University of Applied Sciences in Germany, and Chair of Environment and Technology at Manchester Metropolitan University, UK. He is the initiator of the Word Sustainable Development Symposia (WSSD-U) series, and chairs the Inter-University Sustainable Development Research Programme. Professor Leal Filho has written, co-written, edited or co-edited more than 800 publications, including books, book chapters and papers in refereed journals.

Rajeev Kumar is a renowned academician and administrator with over 17 years of expertise in advancing professional education. He currently serves as a Professor in the Department of Computer Science and Engineering at Moradabad Institute of Technology, Moradabad, Uttar Pradesh, India. Prof. Kumar’s impressive academic credentials include a Ph.D. and a D.Sc. (Post-Doctoral Degree) in Computer Science, and a Postdoctoral Fellowship from Malaysia. He has further enhanced his expertise with certifications in Data Science and Machine Learning using Python and R Programming from IIM Raipur and advanced certifications from IBM and Google. As a senior member of IEEE, Prof. Kumar plays an active role in the IEEE Young Professional Committee and is also associated with the ACM, Computer Society of India (CSI), and SMIEEE. With core expertise in Artificial Intelligence, Cloud Computing, e-governance, and Networking, Prof. Kumar has significantly contributed to advancing academic programs. His efforts include curriculum design, delivering expert talks, and participating in high-impact leadership training programs. He has played a pivotal role in NAAC SSR preparations and has represented his institution at prestigious international academic forums in London, Mauritius, Malaysia, and Dubai.