Redefining Governance for the Anthropocene: Integrative Policy Frameworks for Sustainable Development in Emerging Economies

Abstract

The Anthropocene epoch underscores humanity’s profound influence on Earth’s systems, demanding new governance paradigms capable of addressing intertwined environmental, economic, and social challenges. This paper examines the redefinition of governance structures in emerging economies through integrative policy frameworks aimed at sustainable development. Drawing on scholarship, it explores how adaptive, polycentric, and participatory models can reconcile economic growth with ecological stability. The study highlights key policy instruments, institutional innovations, and transnational collaborations that enable systemic sustainability transitions. Ultimately, the paper argues for a shift from sectoral governance to integrative, cross-scalar policy approaches responsive to the complex realities of the Anthropocene.