Social Inclusion and Sustainability
subject: (SMEs); economic growth; social inclusion; socio-economic status; sustainability; technology
description: Sustainability and social inclusion are closely intertwined concepts, both centered on ensuring equal access to opportunities, resources, and participation in decision-makingwhile also committing to the long-term protection of the environment. The essay describes how social inclusion catalyzes sustainable development; more specifically, it illuminates why the inclusion of marginalized groups in economic and environmental policy is so crucial. Including marginalized groups in sustainable development processes catalyzes a variety of views and promotes social justice, thereby maximizing the effectiveness of efforts toward sustainability. Access to resources, employment opportunities, and education go hand in hand in building a just and fair society. Sustainable job opportunities are tied to environmental goals and narrow the economic gap. Equal access to education also allows everybody, regardless of their background, to join in and benefit from the environmentally sound practices. To minimize the inequalities associated with environmental degradation and climatic change impacts on vulnerable populations, environmental justice is key to social inclusion, as every citizen should be represented through buildings that cause minimum damage to the environment. There should be an investment in inclusive urban development, sustainable housing, and infrastructure for human settlement. This paper emphasizes that social inclusion and sustainability goals harmoniously balance each other in the pursuit of an equitable, resilient, and ecologically responsible future. 2026 John Wiley & Sons Ltd. All rights reserved.
creator: Nanjundan, Preethi; Thomas, Lijo; Indu, P.V.; Eslamian, Saeid
source: Global Nexus Handbook, Volume 1-3;Volume;3;pp.965-974
publisher: wiley
date: 01-01-2026
rights: Restricted Access; Hardcopy may be available in the library
relation: ISBN: 978-139424808-7; 978-139424805-6;
language: English
type: Book chapter
coverage: Nanjundan P., Department of Data Science, CHRIST University, Pune, India; Thomas L., Department of Data Science, CHRIST University, Pune, India; Indu P.V., Department of Data Science, CHRIST University, Pune, India; Eslamian S., Department of Water Science and Engineering, College of Agriculture, Isfahan University of Technology, Isfahan, Iran