GE3451 - ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES AND SUSTAINABILITY

CLASS : II Year All Branches

UNIT IV
SUSTAINABILITY AND
MANAGEMENT
Development, GDP, Sustainability - concept, needs and
challenges-economic, social and aspects of sustainability-
from unsustainability to sustainability-millennium
development goals, and protocols-Sustainable Development
Goals-targets, indicators and intervention areas Climate
change- Global, Regional and local environmental issues and
possible solutions-case studies. Concept of Carbon Credit,
Carbon Footprint. Environmental management in industry-A
case study.
 UNIT IV 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 framework.

 These are developments that would make a significant contribution 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 extraction 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

Fig. 4.1 Types of 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.

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).
  Expenditure 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 indicator 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 considered.

 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:

 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.

II. 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

recognize 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 greed’s.

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 minimizes the depletion of natural resources.

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

 It decides, so that the future generations are able to meet their own demands.
Table 4.1 Differences between sustainability and unsustainability

S.No. Sustainability Unsustainability

Prevention of natural resources. Exploitation of natural resources is faster

than the planet can handle and
replenish.

Long-term economic growth without

Not quantifying ecosystem services and
negatively impacting our increased vulnerability to crises.
environment (or) society.

Equality, diversity, social Labour laws, human rights, gender

cohesion and democracy. 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 reduce 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.

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.

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, 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 greenhouse 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 Petro products 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 SO2 and NO2 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 has been considerably altered due to fly ash pond
construction and ash contamination. This will have an impact on local hydrology
and flooding.

 Climate change manifests 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

Definition

 A carbon credit is a tradable permit (or) certificate that represents the right to
emit a set amount of CO (or) 1 tone of CO (or) the equivalent amount of green
house gas.

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.

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.

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 (or) CO 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.

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 greenhouse gas emissions, but it is not
possible to stop the negative impacts caused by the global warming.

4.11 CARBON FOOTPRINT

Definition

It is the total amount of green house gases (including CO and 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 futureFootprint

Bigger your carbonFootprint : 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

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%.

Causes of a carbon footprint

 The major contributors to carbon footprints are

 food: (especially meat (beef))

 consumption

 transportation

 house hold energy

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.

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.

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.

4.12.2 Characteristics of environmental management

 Environmental management supports sustainable development.

 It demands the multidisciplinary approach.

 It has to integrate different development viewpoints.

 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.

4.12.3 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

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.
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.

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.