ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES

AND SUSTAINABILITY

By:
Dr. A. RAVIKRISHNAN,
M.Sc., M.Phil., M.Ed., Ph.D., MISTE., MILCS.,
Asst.Prof of Chemistry.
 Sustainability and Management
4.1 DEVELOPMENT

 A true development does not mean a high standard of living with

all benefits and an increase in the GNP (Gross National Product) of
few countries.
 But it brings benefits to all, not only for the present generation,
but also for the future generation.

Definition
 Development is a process that creates growth progress, positive
change in economic, environmental and social component without
damaging the resources of the environment.
4.1.1 Types of development

1. National development
 National development starts from the national planning frame
work.
 These are developments that would make a significant
contributions to overall success (or) its international role.

2. Major development

 Some categories falling under “major development” includes fish

farms, offices, storage and distribution centres, housing estates,
renewables, waste management (or) disposal facilities, mineral extra
ction sites, etc.,
3. Local development
 This is the most common form of development and comprises
of small scale developments including house extensions,
conversions, small and medium housing, industrial development
and small scale renewable developments

4.1.2 Principles of development

The following 7 principles are the important for the development.

 Equitable use.
 Flexibility in use.
 Simple and intuitive use.
 Perceptible information.
 Tolerance for error.
 Low physical effort.
 Size and space for approach and use.
Fig. 4.1 Types of developments
4.1.3 Characteristics of development
 It is a continuous process.
 It is the result of interaction of individual and
environment.
 It is predictable.
 It is both quantitative and qualitative.
 It follows a particular pattern like infancy, childhood,
adolescence and maturity.

4.1.4 Steps involved in concept development

 There are 5 important steps involved, in the development process.

Step 1: Brain storming to create a pool of potential product (or)

service concept.
Step 2: Performing customer research to target your ideal customer.
Step 3: Estimating the market potential for your product (or) service
concept.
Step 4:Creating a prototype for your product.
Step 5:Devising a marketing strategy.

4.1.5 Effects of development

 It increases wealth (or) reduces poverty.
 It improves standards of living, health, education, infrastructure
and technology.

4.1.6 Factors affecting development

 Followings are the important economic factors affecting
development.
1. Natural resources
Examples: Trees, soil, water, minerals, coal, oil, etc.,
 They help countries develop by creating jobs and increasing their
wealth through the sales.
2. Power and energy resources
Examples: Oil, gas, coal and water.
 They, being natural, can be mined and sold quickly.
 They are important for producing power and energy within the
country.

3. Capital accumulation
 If a country has more capital, it can creates more job. Low capital
countries may have a low living wage and high unemployment.

4. Technological resources
Examples: Computers, cell phones, etc.,
 It refers to ability to use advanced technologies within a country.
 It increases business capabilities and economic development of the
country.
 Countries with low technological resources have poor economic
development.
5. Available labour force
 Number of skilled labours within the country increases the
development.
6. Transportation and communications.
7. Education and training.

4.1.7 Advantages and disadvantages of development

Advantages of development
 Increased job satisfaction and morale among employees.
 Increased employee motivation.
 Increased efficiencies in processes, resulting in financial
gain.
 Increased capacity to adopt new technologies and
methods.
 Economic growth increases state capacity and the supply
of public goods.
Disadvantages of development.
 Population growth.
 Weak governance and rapid urbanization.
 Poverty.
 Pollution like smog, acid rain, green house effect,
depletion of ozone layer, sewage and garbage.

4.2 GDP (GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT)

 GDP is the total market value of the goods and services,

produced within a country, during the specified period of time
(usually 12 months (or) a year)
 It is the broadest financial measurement of a nation’s total
economic activity.
4.2.1 Types of GDP

1. Normal GDP
 It is the total value of all goods and services produced at current
market prices.

2. Real GDP
 It is the sum of all goods and services produced at constant prices.

3. Actual GDP
 It is the real-time measurement of all outputs at any interval (or)
any given time.
4.2.2 Significance (or) importance of GDP

 It identifies the present state of economy.

 It is used to compare the economics between countries.

 GDP is objective of policy formulation.

 GDP is the root cause.

 It gives information about the size of economy and how an

economy is performing.

 It is used to determine the development and performance of

the economy.
4.2.3 Calculation of GDP

 There are three different ways of calculating GDP

 The value added approach.

 The income approach (how much is earned as income on
resource used to make stuff).
 xpenditure approach (how much is spent on stuff). Of
three, the expenditure approach is followed.

Expenditure approach
 The expenditure approach calculates the GDP by calculating the
sum of all the services and goods produced in an economy.
 It is calculated with the following formulae.
 Private consumption + (Gross private investment +
GDP= Government investment) + Government spending +
(Exports − Imports)

Y = C + I + G + (X − M)

where,
Y = Gross Domestic Product.
C = Consumption.
I = Investment.
G = Government spending.
X = Exports.
M = Imports.
4.2.4 Advantages and disadvantages of GDP
Advantages of GDP
 GDP is a broad indicators of development.

 It is easy to measure growth in percentage.

 It is easy to compare to itself and other countries.

 GDP is easy and cheap to collect.

 GDP is calculated from a formula which all countries use

therefore it is reliable indicator.

 It is the very good way for government to know whether

economic policies have been successful.
 It can be broken up into GDP per capita which accounts for the
population of the country when it is calculated.
Disadvantages of GDP

 It does not include non-market transactions.

 It is narrow indicator that fails to show quality of life,

standard of living, happiness, health care.

 It fails to indicate whether the growth of a nation is

sustainable.

 GDP does not account inequality.

 It doesn’t account for environmental impacts of the

economic policies.
 It doesn’t include the activity of informal sector (black market).

 Overseas income not taken into account.

 High inflation may be behind a high GDP rate.

 Government could adjust the figures to gain power.

 Production process could be immoral.

 It measures the growth in the past are not hugely relevant.

4.3 SUSTAINABILITY

It is defined as “meeting our own needs without compromising the

ability of future generations to meet their own needs”.

4.3.1 Need of sustainability

 Sustainability is key to preserving our planet.

 Sustainability helps reduce pollution and conserve resources.

 Sustainability creates jobs and stimulates the economy.

 Sustainability improves public health.

 It protects biodiversity.

 It protects the natural environment.

 It is the choice of non-toxic materials.

 It reduces and reuses the resources.

 It minimizes waste.

 It is used for life-cycle analysis.

4.3.2 Concept (or) Approaches (or) Significance of Sustainability
 To build up the sustainability development, the following
approaches (or) methods are proposed.

1. Developing appropriate technology: It is the one,

 which is locally adaptable, eco-friendly, resource-efficient and
culturally suitable.
 It uses local labours, less resources, and produces minimum
waste.

2. Reduce, Reuse, Recycle (3-R) approach: It insists

 optimum use of natural resources, using it again and again
instead of throwing it on the waste land (or) water and recycling the
material into further products.
 It reduces pressure on our natural resources and reduces waste
generation and pollution.
3. Providing environmental education and awareness:
 By providing environmental education and awareness, the thinking
and attitude of people towards our earth and the environment can be
changed.

4. Consumption of Renewable Resources:

 In order to attain sustainability, it is very important to consume the
natural resources in such a way that the consumption should not
exceed regeneration capacity.

5. Conservation of non renewable resources:

 Non-renewable resources should be conserved by recycling and
reusing.

6. Population Control:
 By controlling population growth, we can make very good
sustainability development.
4.3.3 Economic and Social Challenges of Sustainability

I Economic sustainability
 It refers to the organisation’s ability to manage its resources and
responsibly generate profits in the long term.

Examples
1. A company uniliver
 It has followed a strategy to achieve a balance between
sustainability and the company’s economic performance.

 So, it implemented several measures like increasing package

recycling, promoting the use of recycled materials and responsible
consumption awareness campaigns.
2. A company suez
 It has reduced its emissions, related to electricity consumption, by
95% by using renewable energy and conservation of natural habitats.

Economic challenges
 High rates of unemployment (or) under employment.
 High rates of poverty and low growth.
 Increasing inequality, with many not being included in the growth
process.
 Disruption of major economic activities due to pandemic situation
like tourism.
 Volatile growth dependent on one source.
 Low productivity due to poor human capital development.
 Skills mismatch between skills you have and the jobs you want to
create.
 Lack of quality jobs.
 Macroeconomic instability and recurrent balance of payments
shocks.

2. Social Sustainability
 It refers to strengthening the cohesion and stability of specific
social groups.

Examples
1. A Company CEMEX
 It is working to contribute to the social development of
communities.
 Thus, it offers decent housing through self-building programmes
and loans with favourable access conditions.
2. A Gigante group
 It contributes funds and resources to a range of social causes like
school materials for collaborators and grants to improve visual
health.

Social Challenges
 Though social impact, social sustainability challenges, issues are
not easily measurable, they are easier to identify.
 Social sustainability performance challenges include
 Human rights.
 Fair labour practices.
 Living conditions.
 Health and safety.
 Wellness, diversity and equity.
 Work-life balance.
 Empowerment.
 Community engagement.
4.3.4 Aspects of sustainability
 There are 4 aspects of sustainability, of them environmental
sustainability is the fundamental and important aspect.

1. Environmental aspect
 Environmental aspect acknowledges the need to enhance and
maintain the biophysical systems that sustain all the life on earth.
 It includes the structure and function of natural ecosystems and the
interactions between them and people and calls for guardianship (or)
kaitiakitanga of our environment.

2. Social aspect
 Social aspect acknowledges the need for equity
 within and between generations, and
 within and between ethnic and social groups.
 It is inclusive of people’s mental and physical well-being and the
cohesion of their communities based on a fair distribution of
resources.

3. Cultural aspect
 Cultural aspect acknowledges the need to nourish and share
attitudes and values that represent diverse world views and the
political need for all people to express their views freely and to
participate in decision making.
 Addressing these needs can build resilience for the future.

4. Economic aspect
 Economic aspect acknowledges the interactions of humans with
the natural environment in using resources to create goods and
services which add value to their lives.
Relationship between these aspects

Fig. 4.2: Strong sustainability aspects

 It acknowledges the resource use and waste disposal must occur
within the capacity of our planet.
 It encourages a fair trading system that equitably distributes
benefits and costs.
 It further encourages innovation and creativity in developments
that lead to a sustainable future.

 This model shows how our economy is a subset of our society.

 It also shows that everything in our economy and everything in

our society entirely dependent on our environment.

 This relationship means that any impact (or) change to our

environment will impact on society and the economy.

 Therefore any sustainability related issue must be considered

holistically and recognise their interdependence.
4.4 FROM UNSUSTAINABILITY TO SUSTAINABLITY

4.4.1 Unsustainability
 Our ancestors have left a lot of resources for us.
 They used their resources sensibly and not for their greed.
 But we are exploiting limited resources. Instead of using it for our
needs, we are exploiting it for our greeds.

Characteristics of Unsustainability
 Unsustainability is one in which we forget our responsibility
towards the environment.
 In unsustainability, we degrade the available resources.
 It not at all cares about the needs of future generations.
 Unsystematic planning can lead to damage to natural as well as
human-made resources.
 Unsustainability leads to extreme degradation of the environment as
well as the living organism.
Causes for unsustainability
 Developing countries are responsible for the degradation.

 The rate of increase of National pollution. In this regard,

developed countries contribute much more developing countries.

 Raising population.

 People should look at environment as not only reserve of man

but of all living organism.

 People built so many buildings, roads and dams for a luxurious

life-style. We neglected the needs of animals and destroy their
habitats.

 We extract a lot of material from the lithosphere than what we

need.
 We create a lot of chemical compounds, which break down in
the environment and becomes problematic.

 We cut trees at a faster rate than they can grow, which causes
global warming.

 Purchasing and using polythene bags contribute to growth of

pollution.

4.4.2 Characteristics of Sustainability

 It reduces emission of greenhouse gases, which will reduce global
warming and helps in preserving the environment.

 It uses natural and biodegradable materials for reducing the

impact on the environment.
 It emphasis on using renewable energy sources such as wind
and solar energy.

 It follows non-polluting construction practices.

 It protects the natural habitats.

 It improves the quality of human life.

 It minimises the depletion of natural resources.

 It teaches us to respect and care for all the life forms.

 It makes arrangements, so that the future generations are able to

meet their own demands.
Table 4.1 Differences between sustainability and unsustainability

S.No. Sustainability Unsustainability

1. Prevention of natural Exploitation of natural resources
resources. is faster than the planet can
handle and replenish.
2. Long-term economic growth Not quantifying ecosystem
without negatively services and increased
impacting our environment vulnerability
(or) society. to crises.
3. Equality, diversity, social Labour laws, human rights,
cohesion and democracy. gender inequality and poor
treatment of
indigenous people.
4.5 MILLENNIUM DEVELOPMENT GOALS

 The Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) were 8 international

development goals.

 To eradicate extreme poverty and hunger.

 To achieve universal primary education.
 To promote gender equality and empower women.
 To reduce child mortality.
 To improve maternal health.
 To combat HIV/AIDS, malaria, and other diseases.
 To ensure environmental sustainability.
 To develop a global partnership for development.
4.6 SUSTAINABILITY PROTOCOLS

 Sustainability protocols are sustainability standard and

certifications.
 These are voluntary guidelines used by producers,
manufacturers, traders, retailers and service providers to
demonstrate their commitment to good environmental, social,
ethical and food safety practices.
 There are over 400 such standards across the world.
 The sustainability protocols listed below are important because
they build awareness and policy support, create clear guideline and
goals.
 They have third-party verification and maintain consistency
within a portfolio while developing Green economy.
Few sustainability protocols
 LEED

 WELL

 Fitwel

 Living building challenge

 BREAM

 Passive house

 National Green Building Standard

 Built green

 Evergreen sustainable development standard (ESDS)

 Introduction of eco-labels and standards for organic food and other
food products.

 Triple bottom line, it includes a set of practices (or) criteria for

how a crop should be sustainably grown (or) a resource should be
ethically harvested.

 It includes, responsible fishing practices that do not endanger

marine biodiversity (or) respect for humanrights and the payment
of fair wages on a coffee (or) tea plantation.

 Sustainability protocols are accompanied by a verification

process (certification) to evaluate that an enterprise complies with
a standard as well as a traceability process for certified products to
be sold along the supply chain, often resulting in a consumer-
facing label.
 It also focus on capacity building and working with partners and
other organizations to support small holders (or) disadvantages
producers to make the social and environmental improvements
needed to meet the standard.

4.7 SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

Definition
 Sustainable development is the development that meets the needs
of the present without compromising the ability of future generations
to meet their own needs.

4.7.1 Aim of true sustainable development

 It aims at optimum use of natural resources with high degree of
sustainability, minimum wastage, least generation of toxic by-
products and maximum productivity.
1. Inter - generational equity:
 It states that we should hand over a safe, healthy and resourceful
environment to our future generations.

2. Intra - generational equity:

 It states that the technological development of rich countries
should support the economic growth of the poor countries and help
in narrowing the wealth gap and lead to sustainability.

3. Place more emphasis on pollution prevention and waste reduction.

4. Recycle and reuse as many of our waste products and resources

possible.

5. Make more goods that last longer and easy to use, recycle and
repair.
6. Depends on renewable sources of energy (sun, wind, water, bio-
mass).

7. Sustain earths biodiversity.

8. Earth degrading activities should be discouraged.

9. Reduce poverty and rate of population growth.

10. Don’t use high quality energy to do a job.

4.7.2 Goals of Sustainable Development

 There are a total of 17 goals

 End poverty everywhere, in all its forms.

 End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition.
 Ensuring good health and promote the well-being of all age groups.

 Ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education.

 Achieving gender quality and empowering all women and children.

 Ensuring the availability and sustainable management of water and

sanitation for all.

 Ensuring access to affordable, reliable, clean and modern energy

for all.

 Promoting sustainable economic growth.

 Building resilient infrastructure and promoting sustainable

industrialisation.
 Reducing inequality within and among countries.

 Making cities and human settlements inclusive, safe resilient

and sustainable.

 Ensuring sustainable consumption and production patterns.

 Taking urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts.

 Conserving and sustainabily using the oceans, seas and marine

resources for sustainable development.

 Protecting, restoring and promoting the sustainable use of

terrestrial ecosystems.

 Promoting peaceful societies for sustainable development.

 Strengthening the means of implementation and revitalising the
global partnership for sustainable development.

4.7.3 Sustainable development targets

 Eradicate extreme poverty for all the people everywhere.

 Reduce at least by half the proportion of men, women and

children of all ages living in poverty.

 Implement nationally appropriate social protection systems and

measures for all including floors.

 Ensure that all men and women, in particular the poor and the
vulnerable, have equal rights to economic resources, natural
resources and new technology and financial services.
 Built the resilience of the poor and those in vulnerable
situations and reduce their exposure to climate related events and
disasters.

 Ensure significant mobilization of resources from a variety of

sources from developed countries to less developed countries.

 End hunger and ensure access by all people, in particular the

poor people and people in vulnerable situations.

 End all forms of malnutrition.

 Double the agricultural productivity and income of small scale

food producers.

 Ensure sustainable food production systems and implement

resilient agricultural practices.
 Maintain the genetic diversity of seeds, cultivated plants and
farmed animals.

 Increase investment in rural infrastructure, agricultural research

and technological development to enhance agricultural productive
capacity.

 Correct and prevent trade restrictions and distortions in world

agricultural markets.

 Adopt measures to ensure the proper functioning of food

commodity markets.

 Reduce the global maternal mortality ratio to less than 70 per

1,00,000 live births.
 End preventable deaths of new borns and children under 5 years
of age.

 End the epidemics of AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria, hepatities,

water-borne diseases.

 Reduce by one third premature mortality from non-

communicable diseases through prevention and treatment.

 Strengthen the prevention and treatment of substance abuse like

narcotic drug abuse and harmful use of alcohol.

 Halve the number of global death and injuries from road

accidents.

 Ensure universal access to sexual and reproductive healthcare

services like family planning.
 Achieve universal health coverage including financial risk
protection.

 Reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous

chemicals and air, water, soil pollution.

4.7.4 Sustainable development indicators

 Proportion of the population living below the international
poverty line by sex, age, employment status.

 Proportion of the population living below the national

poverty line by sex and age.

 Proportion of population covered by social protection floors.

 Proportion of total adult population with secure tenure rights

to land with legally recognized documentation.
 Proportion of local governments that adopt and implement local
disaster risk reduction strategies in line with national disaster risk
reduction strategies.

 Proportion of total government spending on essential services.

 Prevalence of under nourishment.

 Prevalence of stunting and mal-nutrition among children and 5

years of age and prevalence of anaemia in women aged 15 to 49
years.

 Average income of small-scale food producers.

 Proportion of agricultural area under productive and sustainable

agricultural practices.
 Proportion of local breeds classified as being at risk of
extinction.

 Total official flows to the agricultural sector.

 Agricultural export subsidies.

 Indicator of food price anomalies.

 Maternal mortality ratio.

 Under - 5 mortality rate.

 Hepatities B (or) Tuberculosis incidence per 100,000 population.

Malaria incidence (or) HIV infections per 1000 population.
 Suicide mortality rate.

 Alcohol per capital consumption within a calendar year in litres

of pure alcohol.

 Death rate due to road traffic injuries.

 Proportion of women of reproductive age, who have their need

for family planning.

 Coverage of essential health services.

 Mortality rate due to unsafe water, sanitation and lack of

hygiene.
4.7.5 Intervention areas of sustainable development goals
 Implementation of sustainable development goals are some
what difficult because of the following interventions.

 Climate change.

 Use of natural resources.

 Waste production.

 Water pollution.

 Deforestation.

 Over fishing.
  Poverty.

 Ocean acidification.

 Air pollution.

4.8 CLIMATE CHANGE

 Climate change refers to the long-term shifts in temperatures

and weather pattern.

 These changes may be natural (through variations in solar

cycle) (or) artificial (human activities like burning of fossil fuels
like coal, oil and gases).
4.8.1 Causes of climate change

 Presence of green house gases in the atmosphere increases the

global temperature.

 Depletion of ozone layer also increases the global temperature.

 Uneven distribution of rainfall.

 Rotation of earth on its axis.

 Seasonal changes.
4.8.2 Effect (or) Issues of climate change
 Even small changes in climatic conditions may disturb agriculture
that would lead to migration of animals including humans.

 Climate change may upset the hydrological cycle, results in

floods and droughts in different regions of the world.

 Global pattern of winds and ocean currents also gets disturbed by

climate.

 More frequent and intense drought.

 Sea levels gets raised.

 Melting glaciers and warming oceans can directly harm animals

and destroy the places they live.
 Higher temperature increases heat related illnesses and make
working outdoors more difficult.

 If conditions are hot wild fires start more easily and spread more
rapidly.

 As green house concentration increases, global surface temperature

also increases.

4.8.3 Possible solutions to climate change

 Burning of fossil fuels like coal, oil and gas must be avoided.

 Renewable energy sources like solar, wind, tidal and geothermal

power must be used instead of fossil fuels.

 Reducing petrol and diesel vehicles, planes and ships and

switching to electric vehicles stop climate change.
 Heat our homes in a green way, by insulating walls and roofs
and switching away from oil (or) gas boilers to heat pumps.

 The best way for individuals to help stop climate change is by

reducing their meat and dairy consumption (or) by going fully
vegetarian.

 Planting more trees in the right place will absorb more carbon
from the emissions.

 Protect forests, which fight against climate change.

 Oceans also absorb large amounts of CO from the atmosphere,

2
which helps to keep our climate stable.
 Reducing overall consumption in more wealthy countries can
help put less strain on the planet.

 Avoid of using plastics.

 Reduce carbon pollution to avoid the worst consequence of

climate change.

 Provide financial support to developing countries, so people and

nature can successfully adapt.
4.9 CASE STUDIES

4.9.1 Climate change on Chennai, East Coast Road (ECR) and Old
Mahabalipuram Road (OMR)

 ECR and OMR are the today’s landmark will receive the highest
climate impact.

 Due to Chennai’s land use patterns, population stress and abuse of

natural resources, climate has changed drastically in the last few
years.

 Climate induced impacts like drought, floods, heavy rains and

winds are becoming increasingly evident in the city.

 On one end of the continuum is summer water crises and on the

other end is monsoonal flood disasters.
Reason for flood in Chennai
 Increasing population and building / Land use pattern have
changed the natural hydrology of the city.

 The water which needs to naturally drain into the sea via, the
regional watershed are now blocked by buildings and artificial man-
made structures.

 These are all reason for flood in Chennai city.

Remedy
 Researchers predicts that Chennai’s climate is more unpredictable
and aggressive.

 Climate change will affect people and the environment.

 People need to take action to reduce the emission of green house

gases that is the root cause for climate change.
4.9.2 Climate change on Chennai, Ennore

 Ennore thermal power station (ETPS), a 660 MW coal-fired

thermal power plant in Ennore at north Chennai, CPCL’s oil
refinery, Madras Fertilizers Ltd, Tamil Nadu Petroproducts Ltd
and Madras Petrochemical Ltd.

 These six factories were, operating in violation of prescribed

air pollution norms for nearly 60%, responsible for drastic climate
change.

 More than 56 lakh tonnes of coal ash is spread over the river
bed with flyash deposits ranging in depth from 1 ft to 8 ft.
Issues (or) effects

 Ground-level particulate matter pollution due to emissions,

from above said 6 factories at around Ennore, exceeded the
carrying capacity of the area in the vicinity of the plant.

 Ground-level SO 2 and NO 2 pollution exceeded the carrying

capacity of the area.

 In Ennore, children and women are particularly affected and

gynecological problems were particularly reported by respondents.

 Natural drainage pattern have been considerably altered due to

fly ash pond construction and ash contamination. This will have an
impact on local hydrology and flooding.
 Climate change manifeasts in the form of rising sea levels,
increased heat stress, intense rain events and droughts and ocean
desertification due to warming seas.

 More than 120 million litres of hot waste water is discharged

daily, from Ennore power plant, into the Ocean. Such discharge in
an already warming Ocean will create localised marine deserts.

4.10 CARBON CREDIT

4.10.1 Definition

 A carbon credit is a tradable permit (or) certificate that

represents the right to emit a set amount of CO 2 (or) 1 tone of CO 2
(or) the equivalent amount of green house gas.
4.10.2 Concept
 Kyoto protocol is an international agreement that aims to
manage and reduce carbon dioxide emissions and green house
gases.

 Kyoto protocol introduced the concept of carbon credits.

 According to this, a country should reduce carbon emissions

in the atmosphere.

 A carbon credit is a tradable certificate that allows its holder to

emit green house gases.

 One carbon credit is equal to one ton of carbon dioxide.

 Countries need to reduce their emissions by 5.2% compared to

the numbers recorded.
 Countries and companies need to be designed to reduce carbon
emissions without the need to buy credits.

 Less the purchase, less will be the carbon release into the
atmosphere.

4.10.3 Types of carbon credits

 There are two types of carbon credits.

1. Voluntary emissions reduction (VER)

 It is a carbon offset that is exchanged in the over-the-counter
(or) voluntary market for credits.

2. Certified emissions reduction (CER)

 It relies on emission credits created through a regulatory frame
work with the purpose of off-setting a project’s emissions.
4.10.4 How to get carbon credit

 Carbon credits and carbon markets are a component of a

national and international attempts to mitigate the growth in
concentrations of green house gases (GHGs).

 One carbon credit is equal to one ton of CO 2 (or) CO 2

equivalent gases.

 There are many companies, that sell carbon credits to

commercial and individual customers who are interested in
lowering their carbon foot print.

 Buyers and sellers can also use an exchange platform to trade,

which is like a stock exchange for carbon credits.
4.10.5 Advantages and Disadvantages of Carbon Credits

Advantages of Carbon Credit

 Each carbon credit corresponds to one ton of carbon that was not
emitted into the atmosphere.
 The company that does not have an alternative to reduce its
emission finds an advantage in the purchase of this credit.
 The purchase of carbon credits by companies that are
environmentally conscious is favorable for their image.
 Sometimes the company behaves sustainably, but it cannot stop
emitting some amount of carbon. In this case, the purchase of
credit shows how much the company cares about encouraging
sustainable activities.
 It enables companies to support decarbonization beyond their
own carbon footprint.
Disadvantages of Carbon Credit

 Some institutions and countries can accommodate themselves in

the exchange market to continue emitting their greenhouse gases.

 Companies do not invest in action to avoid emissions because

they are able to buy unlimited credits.

 The reduction of 1 ton of carbon that is 1 credit, will never be

enough.

 It is an alternative for emergency needs, not to rest on the fact

that the other has saved.

 Main focus of carbon credit is to reduce green house gas

emissions, but it is not possible to stop the negative impacts caused
by the globle warming.
4.11 CARBON FOOTPRINT
Definition
It is the total amount of green house gases (including CO2 and 4
CH ) that are generated (emitted) by our direct and indirect
activities.

Individual carbon footprint

 It is the sum total of their direct and indirect carbon emissions over
the course of a year.

i.e., Smaller your carbon : better for the future

Footprint

Bigger your carbon

Footprint : Have bigger negative
impact in environment
 The average carbon footprint for a person in united state is 16
tons. Globally, the average is closer to 4 tones.

 To avoid 2°C rise in global temperatures, the average global

carbon footprint per year needs to drop under 2 tons by 2050.

Fig. 4.3 Carbon Footprint

4.11.1 Sources of carbon footprint
 Climate change.

 Natural process like volcanos.

 Green house gases emitted from human activities.

 Pollution released by human beings doing human things.

 Transportation accounted for about 28% of total country.

 Electricity generation accounted for about 28%.

 Industrial activities 22%.

 Heating and cooling in homes and businesses contribute

11%.
4.11.2 Causes of a carbon footprint
 The major contributors to carbon footprints are

 food: (especially meat (beef))

 consumption
 transportation
 house hold energy

4.11.3 How to lower (control) carbon footprint (or) 15 ways to

reduce your carbon footprint

 Lowering individual carbon footprint from 16 tons to 2 tons

does not happen over night.

 But, by making small changes in our action we can reduce

carbon footprint.
 Once you understand where your emission comes from, you
can take steps to reduce your impact.

 Calculate your carbon footprint.

 Drive less.

 Switch to an electric (or) hybrid car.

 Travel smart.

 Switch to renewable energy.

 Consider solar panels.

 Make your home more efficient.

  Turn your thermostat just 2 degrees cooler in winter and
2 degrees warmer in summer.

 Get energy efficient appliances.

 Unplug electrical devices when not in use.

 Buy locally - sourced food.

 Start a home garden.

 Eat less meat.

 Don’t waste water.

 Reduce, reuse and recycle.

4.12 ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT

Environmental management is a set of practices and processes

that enable any organization, whether private (or) public, to
reduce its environmental impacts and increasing its operating
efficiency.

4.12.1 Objective (or) Aim of EM

 To mitigate adverse impacts on various environmental
components, which have been identified during the rapid
environmental impact assessment study.

 To protect environmental resources.

 To enhance the value of environmental components where

possible.
 To monitoring plan to enable evaluation of the success (or)
failure of environmental management measures.

 To carry out reorientation of the plan if found necessary.

 To implement the protective and enhancement measures by

adopting suitable planning and design criteria for construction of
the project.

 To improve the quality of human life.

 To prevent and solve environmental problems.

 To establish limits and standards.

 To warn against threats and identify opportunities.

 To develop strategy for improving quality of life.

 To identify new eco-friendly technologies for sustainable

development.

 To protect the environment from the effects of manufacturing

byproducts.

 To protect your business from non compliance fines and

penalties.
4.12.2 Principles of environmental management
 There are 7 basic principles, which are some guiding principles
of environmental management.

 These principles are helpful in environmental decision making.

1. Polluter pays principle (PPP)

 It states that firms discharge polluting effluent to the
environment.

 If measures are adopted to reduce pollution, the cost should be

paid by the polluters (firms).

2. The user pays principle (UPP)

 It states that all resource users should pay the cost of the use of a
resource and related services.
3. The precautionary principle (PP)
 It states that a substance (or) activity, posing a threat to the
environment, is prevented from adversely affecting the
environment.

4. Principle of effectiveness and efficiency

 The efficiency of resource use may be accomplished by the
use of policy instruments that create incentive to minimize
wasteful use.

5. The principle of responsibility

 It is the responsibility of all persons, to use the environmental
resources in an ecological sustainable, economically efficient and
socially fair manner.
6. The principle of participation
 It is the duty of all the persons to participate in collectively
environmental decision making activities.

7. The principle of proportionality

 It is based on the concept of balance. A balance is to maintain
between the economic development on the one hand and
environmental protection on the other hand.

4.12.3 Steps involved in environmental management

 The following 5 steps are involved in environmental management.

Flow Chart

Fig. 4.4 Environmental Management

Step 1: Environmental policy
 It is the mission of an organization, which starts with establishing
an environmental policy.

Step 2: Planning
 It involves identifying the resources, processes, significant
impacts and pollution prevention opportunities.

 It also includes objectives and targets for improvement efforts.

Step 3: Implementation
 This step consists of defining the structure, responsibilities and
programs.

 It also develops and implements standard operating procedures

and training.
Step 4: Checking and correction
 It includes monitoring and measuring problems identification
and corrective and preventive action implementation.

Step 5: Management review

 It involves modification of environmental management system
to ensure solutions on compliance.
 Based on the result of checking and correction, management
must take corrective actions.

4.12.4 Characteristics of environmental management

 Environmental management supports sustainable
development.

 It demands the multidisciplinary approach.

 It has to integrate different development view points.

  It seeks to integrate natural and social science.

 It can extend from short-term to long-term and from

local to global level.

 It deals with a world affected by humans.

4.12.5 Benefits of Environmental Management

 Improved environmental performance

 Enhanced compliance

 Pollution prevention

 Resource conservation

 Attracts new customers/markets

 Increased efficiency/reduced costs

 Enhanced employee morale

 Enhanced image with public, regulators, lenders and investors.

4.13 CASE STUDTIES

4.13.1 Electronic waste (E-waste) Recycling, Dell company

 Dell company, through its “legacy of good” programme, the
technology giant has plan to cut waste, create more eco-friendly
products.
 It plans to use 50 m pounds of recycled plastic and other
sustainable materials, create 100% recyclable (or) compostable
packaging and recover 2 bn pounds of electronic waste.
 Dell sourced 4.5 m kilos of recycled plastic to make monitors
and desktops.

 Dell eliminated 20 m pounds of packaging waste and generating

more than 18 m in cost savings.

 Its intention to reduce packaging waste, replacing non

biodegradable, oil-base material with organic alternatives such as
bamboo and mushrooms.

 As a part of its effort to encourage others to see waste as a

valuable resource.

 Finally, the most appropriate environmental management

strategy to control environmental pollution is cleaner production.
 So, according to environmental management principles, cleaner
production is a proactive approach where companies take preventive
measure to reduce waste production at source.

4.13.2 Biomedical waste management in Nepal

 Due to improper environment management techniques, Nepal has
many problems with medical waste, which impact adversely the
environment including human health.

 Nepal Health Resource council in collaboration with world health

organization (WHO) has developed national health care waste
management guidelines and training manuals for medical professionals,
but it has not been functioning well.

 As a result, many hospitals use small scale incinerators (or) open

burn (or) dump the waste in their premises until the garbage pickers
comes and dispose in the landfill.
 Incinerator facilities, if properly implemented, not only reduce
final disposal of waste, but also produce electricity/heat, saving
(energy) resources.

 This situation in Nepal is much worsen because it was not

properly built and there are residents who could directly be affected
by emissions resulted from the smoke around the burning
equipment.

4.13.3 Municipal solid waste management in solapur city,

Maharashtra, India
 Total waste generated in solapur corporation area is 420 MT/day,
of which 50% is biodegradable, 25% is recyclable, 15.3% is green
and 9.9% is debris and slit.

 About 51% of the total solid waste, collected from entire city, is
biodegradable.
 The waste is disposed daily to the landfill site located on Tuljapur
road and Bhogaon.

 The disposal site is open and gives rise to contamination and the
treatment process is not followed.

 The landfill sites are not well maintained, which create the threat of
groundwater contamination due to leachate percolation.

 Most of the waste remains lying down in open causing pollution with
the odour and smell unless degrades naturally.

 A treatment plant of anaerobic digestion is in progress to extract

energy from organic waste generating the biogas.