ENVIRONMENTAL SEIENCE AND SUSTAINABLE

DEVELOPMENT
UNIT-III
SUSTAINABILITY

Environmental sustainability aims to improve the quality of human life without putting
unnecessary strain on the earth's supporting ecosystems. It’s about creating an equilibrium
between consumerist human culture and the living world. We can do this by living in a way
that doesn’t waste or unnecessarily deplete natural resources.

Environmental sustainability is important because of how much energy, food, and human-
made resources we use every day. Rapid population growth has resulted in increased farming
and manufacturing, leading to more greenhouse gas emissions, unsustainable energy use, and
deforestation.

What are the three pillars of sustainability?

Aside from benefiting the planet and its inhabitants, environmental sustainability offers plenty
of benefits. The three pillars of sustainability involve economic, social, and environmental
development.

Economic sustainability is the responsibility of businesses and communities. Here, they are
encouraged to use their resources responsibly and efficiently. Economic sustainability is
designed to support long-term economic growth without harming the environmental, social,
and cultural aspects of our global community.

Social sustainability benefits people. Living sustainably as individuals, families,

communities, and countries means healthier air and less money needlessly spent on
healthcare. Using renewable energy sources can reduce droughts, as they require less water
and energy to maintain. The eventual goal is that sustainable development will also reduce
hunger and poverty, and generally provide a better global quality of life, promoting fairly
distributed education and healthcare.

Environmental sustainability focuses on the state of the planet. It encourages individuals to

live in a way that creates minimal waste and even regenerates some of the resources we use
every day.

What are the issues of environmental sustainability?

While environmental sustainability offers clear benefits in terms of global human and animal
health, there are some barriers we may face when working to achieve it.

 Exponential population growth, unsustainable consumption, and production patterns among

the rich are the primary social challenges to achieving global sustainable development. Unless
we see a significant change in global human behavior, sustainability will not be possible. Other
social hurdles include limited awareness and education about sustainability, insufficient
 interaction between civil society and the government, and inadequate incentives for the private
sector to encourage sustainable development.
 Economists have observed that sustainable development focuses on economic growth rather
than people's health or rights. For environmental sustainability to work globally, our
worldview must shift, as we currently treat the environment as part of the economy rather than
the other way around. This change means the economy must be adapted so that environmental
services are maintained. This process is easier said than done, and it will likely take decades
for a shift to begin taking place.

What are the benefits of environmental sustainability?

The benefits of environmental sustainability are:
We can protect ecosystems
We can continue to enjoy nature as it is
We can protect endangered species
Less pollution in the cities results in better respiratory health for all
It could halt or reverse the effects of global warming
We won’t be creating huge landfills all over the world that will take hundreds of years to
breakdown
For businesses, the benefits are:
You reduce your energy usage and thus save money
You produce less waste, which can help you save money and will make you a better choicefor
eco-conscious customers
You can position yourself as a preferred option for environmentally conscious customers by
reducing your pollution output, which can also qualify you for incentives and cost savings in
certain areas
Improve your brand image
Attract and keep better-quality investors, employees, and shareholders
You can rest easy at night knowing you’re not damaging the planet for future generations.
Factors influencing environmental sustainability

1.Environmental sustainability is influenced by several factors that can have

a significant impact on the ecological balance and the planet's ability to sustain life.

Some of the main ones include:

 air, water and soil pollution;

 climate change, caused by the excessive amount of greenhouse gases released into the
atmosphere due to human activities;
  The loss of biodiversity;

 The overexploitation of natural resources;

 Economic models that involve unsustainable consumption.

What goals should we aim to achieve?

To achieve environmental sustainability, a number of key goals must be achieved, including:

 Reducing greenhouse gas emissions, especially in crucial sectors such as power

generation, industry, agriculture and transportation.

 Increasing the production and use of energy from renewable sources.

 Implementing policies to conserve biodiversity by addressing its causes.

 Adopting sustainable practices in agriculture and the food chain, such as precision
agriculture strategies, optimizing and increasing soil quality and productivity through a
series of targeted interventions using technology, regenerative
agriculture and agrivoltaics, non-soil cultivation methods such as hydroponic or
aeroponic systems, and reducing food waste.

 Raising awareness and engaging communities on the issue of environmental

sustainability.
 Promoting the circular economy.

Among the practices of great importance for sustainability, it is essential to conserve and
sustainably manage natural resources, including water, soil, forests, wildlife and natural
habitats, to ensure the ecological balance of the planet and the availability of these resources
for future generations.

2.What is social sustainability?

Social sustainability involves a focus on the well-being of people and communities.

It’s about promoting equity, human rights, access to education and health care, and
decent work.

Social sustainability aims to create inclusive societies, reduce inequality, and ensure long-
term well-being for all people while preserving social cohesion and justice.
To achieve sustainability, it is necessary to overcome:

 Poverty and socioeconomic inequality.

 Discrimination, prejudice and social exclusion.

 Lack of access to resources.

 Insecurity and conflict, locally, regionally and globally.

 Poor governance, which includes phenomena such as corruption and institutional

inefficiency.

In the path to social sustainability, the promotion of systems and policies that can reduce
social and economic inequalities play a particularly important role in ensuring equitable
access to opportunities and resources for all members of society.

In addition to the fight against inequality, the goals to be achieved in terms of social
sustainability include:

 The promotion of policies to respect basic human rights, such as the right to health and
education.

 The adoption of practices that value and include people of diverse backgrounds,
gender, ethnicity, ability, and sexual orientation.

 The creation of safer living environments with more efficient administration of justice.
 The improvement of people's health and mental and physical well-being through
quality health services.

3. What is economic sustainability?

Economic sustainability is the approach whereby economic activities are conducted in such
a way as to preserve and promote long-term economic well-being. In practice, it aims to
create a balance between economic growth, resource efficiency, social equity and financial
stability.
Factors influencing economic sustainability include:

 The responsible management of resources.

 The capacity for efficiency and innovation of economic systems and enterprises.

 Financial stability at the macro level.

  States' level of social innovation, that is, each country's commitment to promoting
policies, programs and initiatives that address crucial social issues such as poverty,
gender equality, access to education and health care, environmental sustainability, and
other social issues.

 International cooperation and partnerships between public administration and private

enterprises.
 The level of equity and social inclusion.

 Corporate responsibility.

How an economy becomes sustainable

To make an economic system sustainable, it is necessary to encourage energy generation

from renewable sources, to adopt policies and regulations that encourage energy efficiency,
and the promotion of economic models based on the circular economy which, as such, are
able to reduce waste and contain resource exploitation.

Achieving these goals requires fostering social and economic inclusion, technological
innovation through dedicated investments, promotion of efficient and transparent
governance, as well as public awareness and education.

Responsible management of economic resources is of paramount importance because it

implies and ensures:

 The minimization of environmental impact;

 Social and economic equity;

 A more resilient and challenge-capable economy;

 A more widespread adherence of companies to management based on principles of
responsibility and ethics.

Is there also a fourth ethical pillar?

There’s another pillar of sustainability, which we could imagine as the midpoint of a triangle
connecting the other three.

Processes leading to sustainable development would not really be such if all those involved
in supply chains did not receive fair – and sustainable – remuneration. Also included in this
pillar are some of the practices we’ve already considered, for example, respecting human
rights and promoting social responsibility.

In short, the ethical pillar consists of the core set of fundamental guidelines that underpin
the practical actions provided for in the other three: these
include integrity, transparency, fairness, respect for diversity and promotion of collective
welfare.

The pillars of sustainability are interconnected-

The pillars of sustainability are closely interconnected, in that every action taken within each
of the spheres has spillover effects on the others. There is a strong interconnection between
the environmental and economic spheres, where good environmental practices, such as
responsible resource management, are essential to maintaining the stability of the economy
and the very existence of the food supply chain. Not only that: some sustainability strategies,
such as transitioning to a low-carbon economy and adopting sustainable practices, can create
economic opportunities, promote innovation and increase the competitiveness of businesses.

The social sphere is also connected to both the environmental and economic spheres. It is
well established that in an equitable and inclusive society, where inequalities are reduced,
social cohesion, active citizen participation and the basis for a sustainable and resilient
economy are fostered – just as it is evident that people's health and well-being are closely
linked to the quality of the environment in which they live.

The 17 SDGs are:

1. Poverty - End poverty in all its forms everywhere

2. Food - End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote
sustainable agriculture
3. Health -Ensure healthy lives and promote well- being for all at all ages
4. Education - Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong
learning opportunities for all
5. Women - Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls
6. Water - Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for
all
7. Energy - Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all
8. Economy - Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full
and productive employment and decent work for all
9. Infrastructure - Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable
industrialization and foster innovation
10.Inequality - Reduce inequality within and among countries
11.Habitation - Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and
sustainable
12.Consumption - Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns
13.Climate-Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts, ensuring that
both mitigation and adaptation strategies are in place
NEXUS BETWEEN TECHNOLGY AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

The areas where technologies can play a major role in sustainable development are:
1. To improve productivity and soil and water conservation, and maintain reasonable
costs of food and fibre.
2. To increase soil fertility.
3. To improving water availability and efficiency of use.
4. To reducing food losses.
5.To enable farmers to modernize their farming practices and this becomes feasible to
them.
6.Technologies to provide and improve energy services for developing world populations.
7.More efficient biomass stoves to reduce fuel use and reduce the hazardous smoke
emissions.
8.Energy-efficient pumps, fertilizers, and mechanical traction to improve agricultural
productivity.
9. For many developing countries, provision of basic water, sewer, and refuse disposal
services are major environmental priorities.
10. Developing countries need more sanitary services systems serving rural and urban
areas.

multilateral environmental agreements and protocols

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALs (SDG):

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a set of 17 global goals established by the
United Nations in 2015 as part of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The SDGs
are designed to address various social, economic, and environmental challenges facing the
world, with the overarching aim of promoting sustainable development that is inclusive,
equitable, and environmentally responsible. The SDGs build on the Millennium Development
Goals (MDGs), which were established in 2000 and aimed to address poverty and other global
issues by 2015.

The 17 Sustainable Development Goals are as follows:

1. No Poverty: End poverty in all its forms and ensure social protection for all.
2. Zero Hunger: End hunger, achieve food security, improve nutrition, and promote sustainable
agriculture.
3. Good Health and Well-being: Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all
ages.
4. Quality Education: Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong
learning opportunities for all.
5. Gender Equality: Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls.
6. Clean Water and Sanitation: Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and
sanitation for all.
7. Affordable and Clean Energy: Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern
energy for all.
8. Decent Work and Economic Growth: Promote sustained, inclusive, and sustainable
economic growth, full and productive employment, and decent work for all.
9. Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure: Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive
and sustainable industrialization, and foster innovation.
10. Reduced Inequalities: Reduce inequality within and among countries.
11. Sustainable Cities and Communities: Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe,
resilient, and sustainable.
12. Responsible Consumption and Production: Ensure sustainable consumption and
production patterns.
13. Climate Action: Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts.
14. Life below Water: Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas, and marine resources
for sustainable development.
15. Life on Land: Protect, restore, and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems,
sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and
biodiversity loss.
16. Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions: Promote peaceful and inclusive societies, provide
access to justice for all, and build effective, accountable, and inclusive institutions at all levels.
17. Partnerships for the Goals: Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the
global partnership for sustainable development.

CLEAN DEVELOPMENT MECHANISM

History and Objectives of the Mechanism:

Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) is an economic instrument for inducing

initiatives to meet the challenges faced by the impending threat of climate change. It is
a mechanism for promoting technology transfer and investment from developed
countries to the developing countries for projects to reduce the emissions of Greenhouse
Gases (GHGs).

The mechanism allows the governments or private parties of developed countries to

make investment for emission reduction projects in developing countries and, in turn,
get the benefit in terms of “Certified Emission Reduction (CER)” which could be
credited against their national emission reduction targets.

The concept of CDM owes its origin to the Kyoto Protocol (1997) under the UN
Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) mooted at the United Nations
Conference on Environment and Development (Earth Summit) in 1992. The Convention
on Climate Change and the follow-up initiatives were prompted by the increasing
 evidence of global warming triggered by anthropogenic emissions of Greenhouse Gases
(GHGs) which include Carbon Dioxide, Nitrous Oxide, Methane, Halogenated
Hydrocarbon and Tropospheric Ozone.

Purpose
The purpose of the CDM is to promote clean development in developing countries, i.e.,
the "non-
Annex I" countries (countries that aren't listed in Annex I of the Framework
Convention). The
CDM is one of the Protocol's "project-based" mechanisms in that the CDM is designed
to
promote projects that reduce emissions. The CDM is based on the idea of emission
reduction
"production". These reductions are "produced" and then subtracted against a
hypothetical
"baseline" of emissions. The emissions baseline are the emissions that are predicted to
occur in
the absence of a particular CDM project. CDM projects are "credited" against this
baseline, in
the sense that developing countries gain credit for producing these emission cuts. The
CDM is
one of the "flexibility mechanisms" that is defined in the Kyoto Protocol. The flexibility
mechanisms are designed to allow Annex B countries to meet their emission reduction
commitments with reduced impact on their economies (IPCC, 2007).The flexibility
mechanisms were introduced to the Kyoto Protocol by the US government.

Benefits and beneficiaries of the CDM

The CDM has the potential of multi-faceted benefits and multiple beneficiaries
Benefits
• Global reduction of greenhouse gases.
• Lesser cost of climate change mitigation.
• Additional benefits through reduction of other pollutants besides GHGs.
• Opening a market for carbon investment.
• Additional financial resources and alternative technologies.
• Initiatives for adaptation to climate change impacts.
• Focus on sustainable development.
• Scope for cooperation at various levels (national, sub-regional,
Regional and global).
Beneficiaries
• Developed countries.
• Countries with economy in transition.
• Developing countries.
• Small inland countries.
• Public sector.
• Private sector.
Environmental legislations in India – water act, air act.
The Air Prevention and Control of Pollution Act 1981 is an Act of the Parliament of India. It
was enacted to prevent and control air pollution in the country. The Act established the
Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs). The
CPCB and SPCBs work to implement the provisions of the Act. The Act also prohibits the
emission of air pollutants from various sources.

Objectives of the Air Prevention and Control of Pollution Act 1981

o To provide for the prevention, control, and reduction of air pollution.

o To provide for the establishment of central and State Boards to implement the Act.
o To confer on the Boards the powers to implement the provisions of the Act and assign
to the Boards functions relating to pollution.

Need for Air Prevention and Control of Pollution Act 1981

o The idea for a global conference to discuss and stop pollution and the deterioration of
natural resources was first put forth to the United Nations by Sweden.
o Therefore, the United Nations Conference on the Human Environment was held in
Stockholm in June 1972 due to the General Assembly passing Resolution 2398. It was
decided at this conference that the nations would take action to protect the natural
resources, including air.
o As a result, the Indian government passed specific laws under Article 253 of
the Indian Constitution to preserve natural resources. The Air (Prevention and Control
of Pollution) Act of 1981 was passed for air conservation.
o The Preamble of the Act states that the purpose of the Act is to prevent, control, and
reduce air pollution and that it is the responsibility of the Boards established by the
Act to carry out these purposes.