GREEN LEADERSHIP AND ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY: A STRATEGIC IMPERATIVE FOR HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS IN INDIA

ABSTRACT Environmental sustainability has transitioned from a peripheral concern to a central strategic priority for institutions worldwide. Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in India are uniquely positioned to influence environmental governance through academic instruction, research innovation, campus operations, and societal engagement. However, the effective integration of sustainability into institutional systems requires transformative leadership. This study explores the concept of green leadership as a strategic imperative for Indian HEIs. Drawing upon leadership theories, sustainability governance frameworks, stakeholder theory, and institutional theory, the paper proposes an integrated multidimensional model linking leadership commitment with environmental performance outcomes. The study argues that green leadership enhances institutional resilience, improves regulatory compliance, strengthens stakeholder trust, and contributes to national and global sustainability goals, including commitments under the Paris Agreement and the Sustainable Development Goals framework of the United Nations. The paper concludes with strategic recommendations, implementation pathways, and a future research agenda for empirical validation.