Abstract
Like many cities in developing countries, Calcutta has a very small ecological footprint - it is relatively self-sufficient. However, Calcuttans can see, and wish to attain, the relative comfort of western lifestyles. In addition, they can see through the sustainability rhetoric of western governments who, while demanding that developing countries should become more sustainable, are doing little to initiate and implement sustainability themselves. Indeed, western consultants are pushing inappropriate and unsustainable transport infrastructure on Calcutta. In the meantime, Calcutta and Calcuttans will suffer. (A)