MODULE 1- SUSTAINABILITY

Syllabus Covered:
Sustainability- Introduction

Sustainability- Definition

Sustainability- Need & Concept

Social Sustainability Concept

Environmental Sustainability Concept

Economic Sustainability Concept

Sustainable Development

Nexus Between Technology and Sustainable Development

Challenges to Sustainable Development

Multilateral Environmental Agreements and Protocols

Clean Development Mechanism (CDM)

1. SUSTAINABILITY- INTRODUCTION
The concept of sustainability become so important nowadays, because of the irreparable damage

caused to the environment by industrial civilization & consumerism, which originated about 3
centuries ago.

They were based on the following wrong assumptions:

Earth belongs to the humans only

Ignore the fact that humans are part of the Earth's biosphere

Earth's stock of resources is infinite

Environment can bear any amount of damage that is caused by human activity.

The advantages & disadvantages of industrial civilization & consumerism are listed below: -

Advantages

1. Flourished the economy

2. Improved the living quality of the society

Disadvantages

1. Caused irreparable damage to the environment

2. Pose a threat to the life support systems of earth.

3. E.g.,1. The hole in the ozone layer surrounding our planet as a shield against the dangerous

ultraviolet radiation from the sun

4. E.g.,2. Increased carbon dioxide content and greenhouse gases in the atmosphere that cause

global warming

Several warnings concerning the instability of Earth’s life support systems have been raised in

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the recent times. In 1992, some of the world’s senior scientists from 70 countries, signed and sent an

urgent warning “The environment is suffering critical stress…” to the government leaders of all nations

as part of the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (the “Earth Summit”) held

in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. This marked the beginning of the concept sustainability.

Sustainability is based on a simple principle: Everything that we need for our survival and wellbeing
depends, either directly or indirectly, on our natural environment. Sustainability creates and

maintains the conditions under which humans and nature can exist in productive harmony, that permit

fulfilling the requirements of present and future generations. Sustainability is important to making sure

that we have and will continue to have, the water, materials, and resources to protect human health
and our environment

2. SUSTAINABILITY- DEFINITION

Sustainability is the ability to achieve continuing economic prosperity while protecting the natural

systems of the planet and providing a high quality of life for its people.

3. SUSTAINABILITY- NEED & CONCEPT

Sustainability has three components, which are inter-related, as shown in Fig.1:

1. Environment

2. Society

3. Economy

Fig1.Environment economy and society interrelation

Environment gives resources, raw materials to the Economy for production activities. Economy

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creates products and sells it to society for use. Production by Economy and Consumption by Society

lead to the following environmental impacts.

1. Exhaustion of Resources – Water, Petroleum, Forests

2. Loss of Biodiversity - Extinction of Animal/Plant Species due to Water, Soil, Air Pollution

3. Deforestation - conversion of forestland to farms, urban use etc.

4. Ozone Depletion - reduction of the amount of ozone in the stratosphere due to the emission of

chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs). CFC/s emitted from the industries, rises to the Stratosphere.

Sunlight breaks CFCs to release Chlorine. Chlorine reacts with Ozone and destroys it.

5. Acid Deposition – results in acid rain, acid fog and acid mist.

6. Desertification - type of land degradation in which a land region becomes dry, typically losing its

water bodies, vegetation and wildlife.

7. Eutrophication - form of water pollution occurs when excessive fertilizers run into lakes and

rivers. This encourages the overgrowth of algae and other aquatic plants.

8. Global Warming - gradual increase in the average temperature of the Earth's atmosphere and its

oceans, caused by increasing concentrations of greenhouse gases – Carbon oxides, Nitrous

oxides, sulphur oxides, Fluorocarbons

The environmental impact, caused by economy on production and society on consumption, leads to
the following damages to human life.

1. Fresh water scarcity

2. Climate change

3. Exposure to toxics in food, air, water and soil

4. Emerging diseases

5. Food insecurity resulting in poverty

6. Energy scarcity due to depletion of non-renewable resources

7. Ecosystem damage and habitat loss due to pollutant discharges

8. Sea level rise

The need of sustainability is to reduce these damages and create a livable planet earth for the future

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generations. For this, United Nations presented the following key sustainability concepts: -
Intergenerational equity – Expects the present generation to hand over a safe, healthy and
resourceful environment to the future generation. Intra-generational equity – Emphasize the
technological development should support economic growth of the poorer section, so as to reduce the
gap between nations. Sustainability means balancing environment, society and economy, as shown in
fig.2

2.

Fig 2. Sustainability

4. SOCIAL- ENVIRONMENTAL AND ECONOMIC SUSTAINABILITY CONCEPTS

The concept of sustainability is based on the basis that people and their communities are made up

of social, economic, and environmental systems that are in constant interaction and that must be kept
in harmony

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SOCIAL SUSTAINABILITY

There are six principles of sustainability that can help a community ensure that its social,

economic, and environmental systems are well integrated and will endure. A community or society
that wants to pursue sustainability will try to:

1. Maintain residents’ quality of life.

Quality of life has many components: income, education, health care, housing, employment,

legal rights. Each locality must define and plan for the quality of life it wants and believes it can

achieve, for now and for future generations.

2. Enhance local economic vitality.

A viable local economy is essential to sustainability. This includes job opportunities,

sufficient tax base and revenue to support government and the provision of infrastructure and

services, and a suitable business climate.

3. Promote social and intergenerational equity.

A sustainable community’s resources and opportunities are available to everyone, regardless

of ethnicity, age, gender, cultural background, religion, or other characteristics. Further, a

sustainable community does not deplete its resources and destroy natural systems.

4. Maintain the quality of the environment.

A sustainable community tries to find ways to co-exist with natural environment and

ecosystem. It avoids unnecessary degradation of the air, oceans, fresh water, and other natural

systems.

5. Incorporate disaster resilience and mitigation into its decisions and actions.

A community is resilient in the face of inevitable natural disasters like tornadoes, hurricanes,

earthquakes, floods, and drought if it takes steps to ensure that such events cause as little damage as

possible.

6. Use a consensus-building, participatory process when making decisions.

Participatory processes are vital to community sustainability... It encourages the identification of

concerns and issues, promotes the wide generation of ideas for dealing with those concerns, and

helps those involved find a way to reach agreement about solutions.

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ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY

Environmental sustainability requires:

1. Maintenance of biodiversity (genes, species and ecosystems)

2. Protection of natural capital (air, water, soils etc)

3. Maintenance of the energy and material cycles of the planet

4. Health and resilience of all life support systems.

This can be achieved by:

1. Reduce dependence upon finite, virgin resources like Fossil fuels, minerals and metals

2. Nature must not be subjected to increased concentrations of substances produced by society. This

requires that consideration be given to the biodegradability of substances and the length of time

it takes the earth to reabsorb them.

3. The physical basis for the productivity and biodiversity of nature must be not systematically

degraded. This requires that we protect diverse and special habitats.

4. There must be efficient use and fair distribution of resources to enable humans to meet their

needs. This requires a reduction in consumerism, especially among wealthy nations.

ECONOMIC SUSTAINABILITY

The economic sustainability ensures that the industry or business is making profit without

creating much damage to environment/ecology. Economic growth is expressed in terms of Gross

Domestic Product (GDP). This is the total amount of production produced within a nation, within one

year. Economic growth has to be sustainable, if it improves quality of human life. Thus population

factor must be included to ensure fair resource consumption.

5. SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

The concept of sustainable development has received much recognition after the Stockholm

declaration in the year 1972.

Sustainable development is the development which meets the needs of the present without

compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. (Definition proposed by the

Brundtland Commission in 1987 in their report “Our Common Future”).

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The three pillars of sustainable development are environment, society and economy as shown in
Fig.3

Fig 3, Pillars of Sustainable Development

Sustainable development should have the following features: -

1. Satisfying human needs

2. Favouring a good quality of life through decent standards of living

3. Sharing resources between rich and poor

4. Acting with concern for future generations

5. Looking at the ‘cradle-to-grave’ impact when consuming

6. Minimizing resource use, waste and pollution

MEASURES OF SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

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The following are the measures of sustainability development: -

(i) Technology:

Using appropriate technology is one which is locally adaptable, eco-friendly, cost effective, resource

efficient and culturally suitable. Nature is often taken as a model, using the natural conditions of that

region as its components. This concept is known as “design with nature”.

(ii) Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle Approach:

The 3-R approach advocating minimization of resource use, using them again, and recycling the

materials. It reduces pressure on our resources as well as reduces waste generation and pollution.

(iii) Promoting Environmental Education and Awareness:

Making environmental education the centre of all learning process will greatly help in changing the

thinking pattern and attitude of people towards our earth and the environment.

(iv) Resource Utilization as Per Carrying Capacity:

Any system can sustain a limited number of organisms on a long-term basis which is known as its

carrying capacity. If the carrying capacity of a system is crossed (say, by over exploitation of a

resource), environmental degradation starts.

(v) Improving Quality of Life Including Social, Cultural and Economic Dimensions:

Development should not focus just on one-section of already affluent people. Rather it should

include sharing of benefits between the rich and the poor. The tribal, ethnic people and their cultural

heritage should also be conserved.

6. NEXUS BETWEEN TECHNOLOGY AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

Technology is the offspring of science. Technological innovation can be seen as a ‘double edged

sword’, with respect to sustainable development.

1. Technology improves quality of life, eliminate diseases and increase life expectancy

2. On the other hand, technology creates irreparable environmental damage due to resource

extraction and pollution of air, water, soil.

As technology advances, the environmental degradation accelerates exponentially. Also, the benefits

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of technological innovations are mostly enjoyed by the developed countries. The technology remains
as a dream for underdeveloped countries which still face poverty, inadequate sanitation facilities etc.
Hence it is essential to integrate technology, society into sustainability.

Technology can support sustainability by

1. Conserving natural capital (renewable and non-renewable resources)

2. Reducing waste and pollution

3. Raising efficiency standards

4. Finding substitutes for toxic/hazardous materials

Pollution prevention and cleaner production technologies are more cost effective than end of pipe
waste treatment technology. Some of the technological applications towards sustainable development
in various sectors are given below.

1. SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURAL TECHNOLOGY

Sustainable agriculture integrates three main goals-environmental health, economic profitability,

and social and economic equity. Some of the common ways towards sustainable agriculture are:

a) Integrated Pest Management (IPM)

b) Rotational Grazing

c) Soil conservation

d) Water quality/wetlands

e) Cover crops

f) Crop/ landscape diversity

g) Nutrient management

h) Agro-forestry

2. SUSTAINABLE ENERGY

Sustainable energy is the energy that, in its production or consumption, has minimal negative

impacts on human health and the healthy functioning of vital ecological systems, including the

global environment. This can be achieved by using the following:

a. Renewable energy sources

i. Solar

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ii. Biomass (It is a renewable energy resource derived from the carbonaceous waste of

various human and natural activities. It is derived from numerous sources, including the

by-products from the timber industry, agricultural crops, raw material from the forest,

major parts of household waste and wood.)

iii. Wind

iv. Tide

v. Geothermal Heat

b. Energy efficient systems - upgrading the efficiency of the existing equipment, reduction of

energy loss, saving of fuel, and optimization of its operating conditions and service life provide

an ecologically safe strategy.

7. CHALLENGES TO SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

The path of sustainable development can only lead us to the future. Some of the major challenges

exist in the modern world that may hinder the effort towards sustainable development are given

below: -

1. Misconception about sustainable development

The popular perception that development and environment protection should not go

together, has to be changed.

2. Population explosion in developing economies (require more food, energy, goods)

developed & underdeveloped countries)

4. Poverty (To achieve sustainable development, eradication of poverty is vital.

5. Over dependence on fossil fuels leading to global warming & climate change

6. Loss in Biodiversity

7. Freshwater scarcity

8. High cost of appropriate technology to tap renewable energy sources

9. Poor solid waste management system (focusing on mere waste disposal)

10. Public awareness

11. Absence of strict environment laws and legislations to control pollution

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12. Absence of adequate political and industrial will for moving towards a sustainable future

13. Lack of co-ordination between the three pillars of sustainable development

– Economy, Society, Environment – in finding long term solutions

14. Corruption and misuse of sustainable development assistance funds

8. MULTILATERAL ENVIRONMENTAL AGREEMENTS AND PROTOCOLS

A multilateral environmental agreement (MEA) is a legally binding agreement between two or

more countries containing commitments to meet specific environment-related objectives. MEA can

be expressed as a Treaty, Convention, Agreement, Pact, Accord or Protocol. MEA is an international

legal instrument that

has environmental protection/sustainable development as their goal

concluded between a large number of states or international organizations as parties

concluded in written form

governed by international law

The 1972 Stockholm Conference on the Human Development was the first attempt to address

inter-relationships of environment and development at global level. It adopted first global action plan

for environment and established the United National Environmental Programme (UNEP). MEAs

have flourished in last three decades, especially after the 1972 International Stockholm Conference

and the 1992 United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED), due to the

following reasons:

–Response to the gravity of environmental problems

–Growing understanding of regional and global nature of environmental problems

MEA PROCESS

MEAs are developed through a thorough negotiation process among concerned countries.

The result is a mutually agreed upon treaty adopted via a high-level related conference, and

signed by the signatories (states);

“Party”/ country ratifies (accepts, approves or accedes) the convention

After ratification of a fixed/ defined number of signatories, the convention enters into force

Once a Party has finalized the ratification process; it is subject to all its provisions.

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MEAs

a. MEAs related to protection and conservation of biodiversity - CBD / Cartagena Protocol, CITES,

RAMSAR

b. MEAs focusing on protecting land from negative “altering”/land-use - UN Convention to

Combat Desertification (UNCCD)

c. MEAs aimed at protection of atmosphere from pollutants - Vienna Convention / Montreal

Protocol on Substances that Deplete Ozone Layer, UN Framework Convention on Climate

Change / The Kyoto Protocol

d. MEAs relevant to marine environment - UNCLOS/Fish Stocks Agreement, Global Program of

Action for the Protection of the Marine Environment from Land-Based Activities (GPA)

e. MEAs deal with hazardous impacts of wastes and chemical pollution - Basel Convention on the

Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal, Rotterdam

Convention on the Prior Informed Consent for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in

International Trade (PIC), Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs)

The Kyoto Protocol

The Kyoto Protocol, a legally binding global agreement by 192 countries, was adopted in

Kyoto, Japan, on 11 December 1997 and entered into force on 16 February 2005. The Kyoto

Protocol is an international agreement linked to the United Nations Framework Convention on

Climate Change, which commits its Parties by setting internationally binding emission reduction

targets. The Protocol places a heavier burden on developed nations – Australia, USA, European

Countries, under the principle of "common but differentiated responsibilities”, recognizing that

developed countries are principally responsible for the current high levels of GHG emissions in the

atmosphere as a result of more than 150 years of industrial activity.

9. CLEAN DEVELOPMENT MECHANISM (CDM)

The Clean Development Mechanism is regarded as one of the most important internationally

implemented market-based mechanisms to reduce carbon emissions. Created under the Kyoto

Protocol, the CDM was designed to help developed nations meet domestic greenhouse gas (GHG)

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reduction commitments by investing in low-cost emission reduction projects in developing

countries.

The Clean Development Mechanism (CDM), established under the Kyoto Protocol, is the

primary international offset program in existence today. It generates offset through investments in

GHG reduction, and avoidance projects in developing countries. These offset credits, called

Certified Emission Reduction credits (CERs), represent a reduction in one metric ton of carbon

dioxide (CO2) emitted to the atmosphere. Developed countries can use CERs to more cost-effectively
achieve their Kyoto Protocol GHG emission reduction targets. The stated purpose of the Clean
Development Mechanism is to help developing countries achieve sustainable development, and
assist industrialized countries in complying with their emission reduction commitments.

Fig. Clean Development Mechanism

PURPOSE OF CLEAN DEVELOPMENT MECHANISM

Private companies fund projects in developing countries that reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

They must also meet sustainable development criteria and the “additionality” requirement, which

means the emission reductions made, must be “additional” to what would have been possible

without CDM funding. Upon verification, the CDM awards these projects certified emission

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reductions (CERs), each equivalent to one ton of carbon dioxide. CERs are then sold to developed

countries, which use them to meet a part of their reduction commitments under the Kyoto Protocol.

CERs are also called “offset credits” because they “offset” the developed countries’ emissions with

reductions in developing countries.

CDM allows countries to continue emitting greenhouse gases, so long as they pay for reductions

made elsewhere. The justification for this is based on the premise that it would be far more

expensive to implement emission reduction in industrialized countries than in developing countries.

It would help developing countries to gain sustainable development benefits from the entry of

“clean” and more energy efficient technologies.

IMPORTANT QUESTIONS

1. Define Sustainability.

2. Write a short note on the need of sustainability.

3. Explain sustainability with respect to social, economic, environmental concept.

4. Define Sustainable Development.

5. Explain the link between Sustainable Development and Technology.

6. What is MEA? Name some MEAs.

7. Define the process of MEAs.

8. What is Kyoto Protocol?

9. What are the challenges of Sustainable Development?

10. Explain the purpose of Clean Development Mechanism.

11. What are the salient features of Water Act?

12. What are the salient features of Air Act?

PROJECT (ASSIGNMENT)

a) Identifying/assessment of sustainability in your neighbourhood in education, housing, water

resources, energy resources, food supplies, land use, environmental protection etc.

b) Identify the threats for sustainability in any selected area and explore solutions for the same.

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