Environmental Sustainability

Dr. Ashok Kumar Baral

Department of Physics
VIT Bhopal University
 Global Environmental Issues

Environmental Concerns: Our Mother Earth is currently facing a lot of environmental

More Examples from Real Life

concerns. Environmental problems like global warming, acid rain, air pollution, urban
sprawl, waste disposal, ozone layer depletion, water pollution, climate change and
many more affect every human, animal, and nation on this planet

Sooner or later, we will have to recognise that the Earth

has rights, too, to live without pollution. What mankind
must know is that human beings cannot live without
Mother Earth, but the planet can live without humans.
Eva Morales
 Global Environmental Issues
2. Global Warming
More Examples from Real Life
Ozone Depletion. When chlorine and bromine
atoms come into contact with ozone in the
stratosphere, they destroy ozone molecules. One
chlorine atom can destroy over 100,000 ozone
molecules before it is removed from the
stratosphere. Ozone can be destroyed more quickly
than it is naturally created.
 Socio-Environmental Interaction

A socio-environmental (S-E) system refers to a group of humans, social elements, and processes
that interact with each other and nature. Sometimes called socio-ecological systems, they are
more formally defined as complex systems of tightly linked social and environmental subsystems.

►Socio-ecological systems reflect a highly interconnected relationship between society and ecosystems.
 Consumerism and its impact:
It is a social or economical order or movement that encourages consumption of goods and services in ever
increased manner.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nwgtYII07vY
 Consumerism and its Impact
Pollution: As the companies start producing products in large numbers and many new
companies also enter the market, because of the making of products and other activities involved
in making a product, a lot of waste is generated and pollutes the environment.

Natural resource depletion: To produce more products, more resources will be required,
and because of that, after some time, it will lead to a scarcity of resources. If there is a scarcity
of resources and the demand is high, then the product prices will also get higher, causing
inflation in the market.
 Consumerism and its Impact

Poor Labour Standards: Consumerism also promotes poor labour standards and pay for
workers. When companies' products are in high demand, they produce more products but within
the end users' budgets; they do so by keeping production costs low. As a result, companies do
not pay the labour sufficient or reasonable wages, and because of that, the quality of the labours'
standard fall, and they sometimes suffer.

Climate Change: A new study published in the Journal of Industrial Ecology shows that the
stuff we consume is responsible for up to 60 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions and
between 50 and 80 percent of total land, material, and water use.
We all like to put the blame on someone else, the government, or businesses.
… But between 60-80 percent of the impacts on the planet come from household
consumption. If we change our consumption habits, this would have a drastic
effect on our environmental footprint as well
Sustainability

– The capacity of the earth’s natural systems and human cultural

systems to survive, flourish, and adapt into the very long-term
future

© Cengage Learning 2015

 Some Principles of Sustainability
• Nature has sustained itself for billions of years by using solar
energy, biodiversity, and nutrient cycling.

• Our lives and economies depend on energy from the sun and
on natural resources and natural services (natural capital)
provided by the earth.

• Shift toward living more sustainably by:

– Applying full-cost pricing, searching for win-win solutions
– Committing to preserving the earth’s life-support system for future
generations
 Pillars of Sustainability

Sustainability: The ability of fulfilling the needs of current generations

without compromising the needs of future generations, while
ensuring a balance between economic growth, environmental care
and social well-being.

* Sustainability is not only related to the environmental issues.

It is also related to social equity and economic development.

► In this sense Sustainability is categorized into various forms:

(i) Environmental sustainability

(ii) Economic sustainability
(iii) Social sustainability
 Environmental Sustainability
Environmental sustainability focuses on the state of the planet we leave it in. It
encourages individuals to live in a way that creates minimal waste and even
regenerates some of the resources we use every day.

The foundations of environmental sustainability are: safeguarding water, saving

energy, reducing waste, using recyclable packaging, limiting or eliminating the use
of plastics, using sustainable transport, reusing paper and protecting flora and
fauna.

A great example of environmental sustainability is the Swedish city of Stockholm,

which is noted for investing in sustainable infrastructure, its low emissions and for
having excellent air quality, with pollution levels well below average. The city has
thus achieved a balance between economic development and environmental
protection.

Another example is the Bimbo Group, which aims to reduce its environmental
impact through regenerative agriculture with zero carbon emissions, the use of
renewable energies and the reduction of waste.
 Economic Sustainability
It refers to long-term economic growth without harming environmental, social and
cultural aspects of our global community.

When a company is set up, a structure is created that involves expenses and
revenues. Once a balance is struck between both factors, the company earns
profit. Here, Economic sustainability refers to the organisation's ability to manage
its resources and responsibly generate profits in the long term.

An example of this type of sustainability is the company Unilever, which in the year
2010 rolled out a strategy to achieve a balance between sustainability and the
company's economic performance. To do so, it implemented several measures, such
as: increasing package recycling, promoting the use of recycled materials and
responsible consumption awareness campaigns.

Likewise, we can also look to the case of the Suez company, which in its Sustainable
Development Report 2020 reveals that it has reduced its emissions related to
electricity consumption by 95%, by purchasing and generating renewable energy;
that it has implemented energy efficiency measures and that, additionally, in terms
of the conservation of natural habitats, some 81.5% of its facilities are free from
pesticides and crop protection chemicals.
 Social Sustainability

Social sustainability (SocSus) is defined as a measure of the human’s

welfare. SocSus is not a concern regarding simple existence, but a wish to flourish
and have the best lifestyle for which could dream.
 Challenges of Environmental Sustainability
Global warming due to CO2 emissions. The climate change is accelerating and threatens the whole
global ecosystem by causing serious meteorological disasters like droughts, fires and floods, which are
becoming increasingly frequent and more extreme. So, it is strongly advised to mitigate the climate
change.

Air pollution and water contamination. Experts estimate that nearly 90% of humanity breathes polluted
air. That’s why, it is important to reduce air pollution and minimize the use of chemicals, treating more
wastewater – to cut rates of respiratory illnesses, thus preventing seven million deaths a year.
Contaminated water also causes major health problems.

Pollution of the oceans, seas and inland waters. The oceans have become the giant waste dumps for
plastic and other synthetic materials. Due to economic advancement of many economically
underdeveloped regions – there are serious environmental problems related to the oceans such as
damage to ecosystems from dumping pollutants, wastewater and fuel spills.

Slow energy transition and insufficient share of renewable energy. Quite a number of the world’s
population lacks access to electricity and depends on fossil fuels for cooking. This situation requires an
energy transition towards a cleaner, more accessible and efficient model based on the use of renewable
energy sources to build communities that are more sustainable.
 Challenges of Environmental Sustainability

Uncompromising food production harms. Overexploitation of natural resources and disturbance of the
environment depletes the soil and damages the marine ecosystems. It requires focus and consideration
in order to change the food production model and food habits, including a more plant-based diet
featuring local ingredients to save energy and reduce gas emissions.

Animal species extinction and destruction of their natural habits. The experts from UN call for
protecting biodiversity and undertake conclusive actions to put an end to these threats and conserve
our natural heritage, including our increasingly threatened forests. Animal species extinction and
destruction of their natural habits.

Significant development of modern cities and agglomerations without a transparent and

comprehensive urban strategy. The growth of cities, which will need to accommodate around 5 billion
people by 2030, will be another of the decade’s big environmental challenges. The metropolises of the
future will need to be compact, safe, inclusive, ecological and energy efficient, with more green spaces,
more environmentally friendly buildings and more sustainable methods of transport which put the
needs of pedestrians above those of traffic. Due to such circumstances there is a necessity to create and
maintain sustainable urban development and mobility.
 Challenges of Environmental Sustainability

Hydric stress and water scarcity. The lack of this resource affects more than 40% of the world
population, and according to the World Economic Forum, agriculture accounts for more than 70% of the
water used in the planet’s most arid countries. The responsible use of hydrological resources will
improve food and energy production, as well as protecting the biodiversity of our water ecosystems and
helping us slow climate change.

Overpopulation and waste management. The world population is expected to exceed 8.5 billion by
2030, forcing us to considerably reduce the amount of waste we generate through prevention,
reduction, reuse and recycling as part of the circular economy, with the aim of minimizing the impact on
health and the environment.
 Challenges of Environmental Sustainability

Hydric stress and water scarcity. The lack of this resource affects more than 40% of the world
population, and according to the World Economic Forum, agriculture accounts for more than 70% of the
water used in the planet’s most arid countries. The responsible use of hydrological resources will
improve food and energy production, as well as protecting the biodiversity of our water ecosystems and
helping us slow climate change.

Overpopulation and waste management. The world population is expected to exceed 8.5 billion by
2030, forcing us to considerably reduce the amount of waste we generate through prevention,
reduction, reuse and recycling as part of the circular economy, with the aim of minimizing the impact on
health and the environment.
 Role of Technologies for sustainable development
Hardware, software and other technologies are an essential tool for sustainable development. They can
be instrumental in ensuring that people:

►have access to clean water (through water purification, efficiency, delivery, and sanitation
technologies).

► have access to energy that is clean, affordable, and sustainable (e.g., through energy-efficient
technologies and technologies that use alternative sources of energy).

► live in a less toxic environment (e.g., by putting in place alternative agricultural and industrial
technologies that reduce the quantity and toxicity of the raw materials and processes, as well as
treatment techniques).

► live in a more stable environment by mitigating the effects of climate change (e.g., more energy-
efficient processes and emissions control) and adapting to climate change (e.g., using GIS to assist in
land use planning); and are able to more effectively and efficiently manage natural resources.

► have effective environmental governance regimes (e.g., in monitoring compliance and enforcement,
providing public access to information, building capacity, and raising public awareness).
Some Technological innovations for Sustainability
1. Public electric transport.

2. Electric trucks.

3. Cheap energy storage

4. Long-term storage (Li-Batteries)

5. Plastic recycling

6. LED light efficiency

7. Accessible solar power

8. Carbon capture and storage

9. Hydrogen energies (Fuel Cells)

 Sustainability: Technology
H&M’s “Let’s Close the Gap” project began in 2013 as a CE best practice that collects and
categorizes discarded clothing from customers.
 If the garment is in decent condition, they will restore it and find a new owner
for it.
 If a garment reaches the end of its useful life, H&M will recycle it and reuse the
material in new goods.

Customers who bring in their old clothes

are rewarded with tokens that can be used
to get a discount at H&M shops.
Incentivizing customers creates a
complete CE loop.

In 2019, 57% of H&M’s raw

materials were sustainable,
according to Forbes. By 2030, the
company hopes to improve it by 100
percent.
 Sustainability: Technology
Case Study 2: Tata Power (solar plants on the roofs)
Rooftops offer a lot of empty space that can be used to install solar panels. Such initiatives have
been taken in various parts of the world. Tata Power does it in India and generates green
electricity by using idle places of buildings.

In 2021, Tata Power was able to spread their program throughout 90 Indian cities, producing
421 million watts of electricity, which is equivalent to nearly 40
thousand homes’ yearly electricity use in the US.
We expect that in the near future the cooperation between energy and construction
companies will enhance the use of idle places in buildings in a more effective way. Such an
industrial symbiosis reduces both sectors’ ESG risk.