sustainability developments environmental protection and control

Sustainability Development

1 Environmental Pollution and Control| Syed Jeelani Basha Asst Prof.

Unit 6

Sustainable Development: Definition - elements of sustainable developments - Indicators

of sustainable development - Sustainability Strategies- Barriers to Sustainability –

Industrialization and sustainable development – Cleaner production in achieving

sustainability

Introduction

Sustainable development is the organizing principle for meeting human development goals

while at the same time sustaining the ability of natural systems to provide the natural

resources and ecosystem services upon which the economy and society depends. The

desirable end result is a state of society where living conditions and resource use continue to

meet human needs without undermining the integrity and stability of the natural systems.

There may be as many definitions of sustainability and sustainable development as there are

groups trying to define it. All the definitions have to do with:

Living within the limits

Understanding the interconnections among economy, society, and environment

Equitable distribution of resources and opportunities

Definition

Sustainability is related to the quality of life in a community -- whether the economic, social

and environmental systems that make up the community are providing a healthy, productive,

meaningful life for all community residents, present and future.

“Sustainability is about making responsible decisions that will reduce your business

negative impact on the environment”. It is not simply about reducing the amount of waste

you produce or using less energy, but is concerned with developing processes that will lead to

businesses becoming completely sustainable in the future.

Models of Sustainable development: (Elements of Sustainable

Development)

Moving towards sustainable development presents tremendous challenges. Human has all the

tools necessary for achieving it. However we tend to forget that in order to survive, we need

to adapt to nature and not vice-versa.

We need to develop the ability to make a choice which respects the relationship between the

three “Es” – Economy, Ecology and Equality. If all the three “E‟s” are incorporated in the

national goals of countries then it would be possible to develop a sustainable society.

Models help us understanding the concepts of Sustainability better. Achieving SD thus,

requires more effective, open, and productive association among the people themselves.

Models help us gather, share, and analyse information; they help coordinating work; and

educate and train professionals, policymakers, and the public in general.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Organizing_principle

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_development_(humanity)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sustainability

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Natural_resource



https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ecosystem_services

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Economy

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Society



The following are some of the constructive models for understanding SD.

Three Element Basic Model

This is one of the most well-known models created using the three dimensions -Economy,

Environment and Society.

The diagram shows three interlocking circles with the triangle of environmental

(conservation), economic (growth), and social (equity) dimensions.

Sustainable Development is modelled on these three elements. This model is called „three

elements‟ or „three circles model‟. It is based considering the society, but does not explicitly

take into account „human quality of life‟.

The Egg of Sustainability

The „Egg of Sustainability‟ model was designed in 1994 by the International Union for the

Conservation of Nature, IUCN

It illustrates the relationship between people and ecosystem as one circle inside another, like

the yolk of an egg. This implies that people are within the ecosystem, and that ultimately one

is entirely dependent upon the other. Just as an egg is good only if both the white and yolk are

good, so a society is well and sustainable only if both, people and the eco-system, are well.

Social and economical development can only take place if the environment offers the

necessary resources: raw materials, space for new production sites and jobs, constitutional

qualities (recreation, health etc.). Ecosystem is therefore to be regarded as a super

coordinated system to the other dimensions of the triangle or prism models: social,

economical, and institutional.

Thus according to this model:

Sustainable development = human well being + ecosystem well being



Prism of Sustainability

This model was developed by the German Wuppertal Institute and defines SD with the help

of four components - economy, environment, society and institution.

In this model the inter-linkages such as care, access, democracy and eco-efficiency need to be

looked at closely as they show the relation between the dimensions which could translate and

influence policy. In each dimension of the prism, there are imperatives (as norms for action).

Indicators are used to measure how far one has actually come in comparison to the overall

vision of SD.

This is described in the following diagram.

The Amoeba Model

The Amoeba Approach is a model used to visually assess a system‟s condition relative to an

optimal condition. The model is circular with the various indicators positioned around the

outside.

Lines radiate from the centre to the indicators, on a continuum from unsustainable (in the

centre) to sustainable (the outside of the circle). A circle would indicate the optimum

conditions.

Indicators of sustainable development



An indicator helps understand where we are, which way we are going and how far we are

from our goal. It alerts us to a problem before it gets too bad and helps recognize solutions to

fix the problem.

Indicators of SD are different from traditional indicators of economic, social, and

environmental progress. Traditional indicators such as unemployment rate or GDP growth,

stockholder profits, asthma rates, and water quality measure changes in one part of a

community as if they were entirely independent of the other parts. SD indicators on the other

hand, reflect the reality that the three different segments are very tightly interconnected.

Thus, the indicators of SD point to an issue or condition. The following are certain

characteristics that all the SD indicators have in common:

Alert a problem before it gets too bad

Helps recognize what needs to be done to fix the problem

Build clarity and accountability

Reflect a sense of purpose

Illustrate relationships

Show trends

Such multidimensional SD indicators that possess all these characteristics and show the links

among a community‟s economy, environment, and society are described below:

Gross National Happiness (GNH)

Human Development Index (HDI)

Ecological Footprint (EF)

The Happy Planet Index (HPI)

Gross National Happiness (GNH)

Gross National Happiness (GNH) is an attempt to define quality of life in a more holistic and

psychological terms than Gross National Product.

The term was coined by Bhutan‟s King Jigme Singye Wangchuck in 1972.

It serves as a unifying vision for the Five Year planning process and all the derived planning

documents that guide the economic and development plans of Bhutan.

While conventional development models stress economic growth as the ultimate objective,

GNH is based on the assertion that true development of human society takes place when

material and spiritual development occur side by side to complement and reinforce each

other.

The four pillars of GNH are the promotion of equitable and sustainable socio-economic

development, preservation and promotion of cultural values, conservation of the natural

environment, and establishment of good governance.

Human Development Index (HDI)

The Human Development Index (HDI) is the measure of life expectancy, literacy, education,

and standard of living for countries worldwide. It is a standard means of measuring well-

being, especially child welfare. It is used to determine and indicate whether a country is a



developed, developing, or underdeveloped country and also to measure the impact of

economic policies on quality of life.

The index was developed in 1990 by Indian Nobel prize winner Amartya Sen, Pakistani

economist Mahbub ul Haq, with help from Gustav Ranis of Yale University and Lord

Meghnad Desai of the London School of Economics and has been used since then by the

United Nations Development Programme in its annual Human Development Report.

The HDI measures the average achievements in a country in three basic dimensions of human

development:

1. A long and healthy life, as measured by life expectancy at birth.

2. Knowledge, as measured by the adult literacy rate (with two-thirds weightage) and the

combined primary, secondary, and tertiary gross enrolment ratio (with one-third

weightage).

3. A decent standard of living, as measured by the log of GDP (Gross Domestic Product)

per capita at purchasing power parity (PPP) in USD.

Ecological Footprint (EF)

Ecological Footprint (EF) compares human consumption of natural resources with Earth‟s

ecological capacity to regenerate them.

The term “ecological footprint” was coined in 1992 by William Rees, a professor at the

University of British Columbia in Vancouver, Canada. The ecological footprint concept and

calculation method was further developed as the PhD dissertation of Mathis Wackernagel

under Prof. Rees at UBC from 1990-1994. In early 1996, Wackernagel and Rees published

Our Ecological

Footprint: Reducing Human Impact on the Earth.

EF is an estimate of the amount of biologically productive land and sea area needed to

regenerate the resources human population consumes and to absorb the corresponding waste,

given prevailing technology and current understanding. Using this assessment, it is possible

to estimate how many planet Earths it would take to support humanity if everybody lived a

given lifestyle.

Per capita EF is a means of comparing consumption and lifestyles, and check this against

nature‟s ability to provide for this consumption.

The Happy Planet Index (HPI)

The Happy Planet Index (HPI) is an index of human well-being and environmental impact.

The index challenges other well-established indices such as Gross Domestic Product (GDP)

and the Human Development Index (HDI).

It was introduced by the New Economics Foundation (NEF), in July 2006.

The HPI is based on the principle that most people want to live long and fulfilling lives, and

the country which is doing the best is the one that allows its citizens to do so, whilst avoiding

infringing on the opportunity of future people and people in other countries to do the same.



The Happy Planet Index is an innovative measure that shows the ecological efficiency with

which human well-being is delivered. It is the first ever index to combine environmental

impact with human well-being. Each country‟s HPI value is a function of its average life

satisfaction, life expectancy at birth, and ecological footprint per capita. Analysing its results

could help us to move towards a world where we can all live good lives without costing the

earth.

The Index doesn‟t reveal the „happiest‟ country in the world. It shows the relative efficiency

with which nations convert the planet‟s natural resources into long and happy lives for their

citizens. The nations that score well show that achieving, long, happy lives without over-

utilising the resources is possible.

Sustainability Strategies

The strategic aims and objectives for sustainability are

1. Student experience

To enhance the student experience by providing a physical environment that fosters informal

learning for sustainability (supporting sustainable lifestyles and offering sustainability related

volunteering and study opportunities), taking advantage of our ecologically rich and

aesthetically beautiful physical environment.

2. Employability and Graduate

To enhance graduate employability in relation to the skills that businesses, organisations and

individuals need in order to respond to the global sustainability challenges, and to take

advantage of the emerging international green economy.

3. Development

To provide all students, to access to education for sustainability.

4. Research

To raise awareness and communicate research which is related to environmental

sustainability and to ensure that our operations are informed by this research where possible.

5. Partnership and engagement

We shall create opportunities where students, staff and alumni can develop and share their

knowledge, skills and experience to engage with and contribute effectively to tackling global

challenges.

6. Estate management



To reduce the environmental impact, of our operational activities and make a positive

contribution to the local environment, through the management of our estate.

7. Quality assurance

To ensure that the aims, objectives and targets contained within this strategy are delivered to

the highest standards and in a transparent and verifiable manner.

Industrialization and Sustainable Development

Sustainable industrialisation is a long-term process of transformation towards a desired vision

of an industrialised economy.

It contributes to wealth creation, social development and environmental sustainability.

Necessity of Industrialization

1. Applying technological progress

2. Driving and diffusing innovation

3. Developing new skills and attitudes

4. Stimulating modern services

5. Internationalizing economies

Classification of Industries

Resource-based industries ( processed food, wood, leather, refined petroleum & rubber

products);

1. Low technology industries (textiles, garments, footwear, furniture, glassware, toys);

2. Medium technology industries (automotive industry, chemicals, machinery)

3. High technology industries (electronics, pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, precision

instruments, aerospace).



The Sustainable Industrialization Triangle

Design R‟s

Principles

1. Systemic Nature: Systems are interrelated and interconnected, therefore human

activities inevitably impact other systems in unexpected ways.

2. Equity and social justice: Access to the elements required for survival on this planet

is an innate human right. All humans, including those generations to come, are

entitled to clean air, water, land, housing, food, and health services.



3. Pollution and Toxics: Pollution and the production of toxics degrades human and

environmental health, therefore the production of waste, pollution, and toxics should

be eliminated or controlled.

4. Precautionary Principle: Technological innovations creates threats and risks to human

health and the environment, precautionary measures should be taken even if some

cause and effect relationships are not fully established scientifically. The proponent

of a technological innovation should bear the “burden of proof“ for

presenting evidence of harmlessness. If this is not forthcoming, then a "no

action policy” should be adopted.

5. Stewardship: All businesses, industries, governments, NGO & individuals have

important responsibilities for the integrity of life-supporting systems.

Maintain the integrity of systems

Consume and use responsibly

Protect and restore ecosystems

Protect human health, vulnerable populations, and communities

6. Energy Efficiency

Energy Intensity is the amount of energy consumed per unit of service or activity. Embodied

energy may be reduced by designing durable, adaptable products and buildings which are

made from local, renewable materials.

Embodied Energy: “Embodied energy is the total primary energy consumed during the life

time of a product, ideally the boundaries would be set from the extraction of raw materials

(inc fuels) to the end of the products lifetime (including energy from; manufacturing,

transport, energy to manufacture capital equipment, heating & lighting of factory...etc), this

boundary condition is known as Cradle to Grave” (Jones, 2007).

Environmental Burden:

Renewability: Production activities should minimize the use of materials which do not

regenerate at the same rate at which they are consumed, including from fossil fuels, minerals,

long-lived plants, and declining populations of animals.

Conclusion

Industrialization without sustainability has been known to cost the society in increasing

inequality, poor living conditions for the poor, supposed scarcity of resources, etc..

In the future, mankind will look to achieve sustainability in all aspects of life, not so much

because we will want to, but because we will need to.



Cleaner production in achieving sustainability

1. Environment Management Systems (EMS) and standards

To encourage industry and government and other organisations to examine and monitor their

environmental performance and set targets for improvement, through the broad adoption and

implementation of EMS.

The benefits of an EMS which are similar to those of cleaner production are:

Minimising environmental risk liabilities;

Maximising the efficient use of resources;

Reducing waste;

Demonstrating a good corporate image;

Building awareness of environmental concern among employees;

Gaining a better understanding of the environmental impacts of business activities; and

Increasing profit, while improving environmental performance, through more efficient

operations.

2. Environmental Accounting

To develop effective management accounting systems which incorporate environmental costs

into traditional business financial calculations.

3. Environmental Labelling

To assist consumers, both organisations and individuals, to make environmentally responsible

product choices, by informing them of the environmental impacts of products and providing a

standardised means of comparing products.



4. Life Cycle Assessment

To identify and minimise all the environmental impacts associated with a product, production

process or service throughout its lifecycle.

Benefits:

Improve its understanding of products and processes

Establish a comprehensive baseline of data on a system‟s performance

Compare environmental impacts and economic costs of alternative products,

technologies or practices; reduce greenhouse gas emissions;

Identify points within a system‟s life cycle where the greatest reduction in resource

requirements and emissions can be achieved

5. Cleaner Production Training

To ensure cleaner production training is available, relevant and consistent across all sectors

and levels of industry, for all levels of staff.

Training providers work with industry and professional associations to incorporate cleaner

production training into academic, professional and vocational courses.

6. Design For the Environment



To encourage product manufacturers to redesign products to reduce their environmental

impact. Known as „design for the environment‟ (DFE), or „ecodesign‟ this approach

examines a product‟s entire lifecycle and proposes changes to how the product is designed to

minimize its environmental impact during its lifetime.

These impacts are reduced by adopting the following strategies:

•Raw materials

- Design for resource conservation

•Manufacturing

- Design for cleaner production

•Use

- Design for energy efficiency

- Design for water conservation

- Design for minimal consumption

- Design for low-impact use

- Design for service and repair

•End of life

- Design for re-use

- Design for re-manufacture

- Design for disassembly

- Design for recycling

- Design for safe disposal

• Distribution

- Design for efficient distribution

Cleaner Production is a preventive, company- specific environmental protection initiative,

intended to minimize waste and emissions and maximize product output and sustainability.

Cleaner Production provides a practical way of moving towards sustainable

development.

Cleaner Production allows the producers of goods and the providers of services to

produce more with less-less raw material, less energy, less waste, and thus, less

environmental impact and greater sustainability.

Cleaner Production is the step beyond waste management – it deals with the source of

the problem, rather than the symptoms.

“Cleaner Production primarily supports the long term objective of Sustainable

Development”

