ENVIRONMENTAL SOVEREIGNTY VS. GLOBAL RESPONSIBILITY: POLITICAL BARRIERS TO CLIMATE SUSTAINABILITY

Environmental sovereignty at this level involves understanding the dynamic relationship between national autonomy and international interdependence. Climate change poses an unprecedented threat to global ecosystems, economies, and societies. Despite growing scientific consensus and public awareness, coordinated international action remains insufficient. One of the core obstacles is the tension between environmental sovereignty the right of states to control their own environmental policies and global responsibility, which calls for collective action beyond national borders. The paper critically examines how political ideologies, economic dependencies, and historical power imbalances contribute to the resistance against global environmental cooperation. It explores the effectiveness and limitations of international climate agreements, such as the Kyoto Protocol and the Paris Agreement, in reconciling national interests with global commitments. Through a combination of theoretical insights, geopolitical analysis, and illustrative case studies including those of the United States, China, India, the European Union, and Small Island Developing States the research highlights the multifaceted political barriers that impede global climate governance. Ultimately, the paper argues that a reimagining of sovereignty, grounded in ecological interdependence and mutual accountability, is essential for overcoming these barriers and achieving climate sustainability.