MODULE 1.pptx
- 2. Module 1 ►Sustainability: Introduction, concept, evolution of the concept; ►Social, environmental and economic sustainability concepts; ►Sustainable development, ►Nexus between Technology and Sustainable development; ►Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) ►Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), ►Clean Development Mechanism (CDM).
- 3. Sustainability ► The ability to sustain something for an indefinite period of time, without depleting the resources used to sustain it, and such that it does not damage the surroundings (environment) in which it resides. ► The term “sustainable” is used for many different areas such as: ►sustainable design ►sustainable development ►sustainable living ►sustainable energy etc....
- 4. Sustainable Engineering • ‘Sustainable engineering’ strives to maintain sustainable principles in engineering activities such as: ► Using methods that minimize environmental damage to provide sufficient food, water, shelter, and mobility for a growing world population. ► Designing products and processes so that wastes from one are used as inputs to another. ► Incorporating environmental and social constraints as well as economic considerations into engineering decisions. Sustainable engineering is the process of using energy and resources at a rate that does not compromise the natural environment, or the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
- 5. Sustainable development (SD) ► Development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs (United Nations General Assembly, 1987, p. 43). ► The overall goal : long-term stability of the economy and environment; ► This is only achievable through the integration and acknowledgement of economic, environmental, and social concerns throughout the decision making process.
- 6. The emergence of the concept ► The first truly international conference devoted exclusively to environmental issue ► 1972 ► Conference on the Human Environment in Stockholm, Sweden. ► Attended by 113 states and representatives from 19 international organizations. ► Creation of the United Nations Environmental Program (UNEP) with a mission “to provide leadership and encourage partnership in caring for the environment by inspiring, informing, and enabling nations and peoples to improve their quality of life without compromising that of future generations” .
- 7. ► This conference played a catalytic role in promoting the subsequent adoption of international agreements concerned with ocean dumping, pollution from ships, and the endangered species trade. ► It also adopted the “Stockholm Declaration on the Human Environment,” which included forward-looking principles, such as Principle 13167, that declared the need for integration and coordination in development planning to allow for environmental protection. ► However, “the Stockholm conference was limited in its effectiveness because environmental protection and the need for development, especially in developing countries, were seen as competing needs and thus were dealt with in a separate, uncoordinated fashion.
- 8. ► In 1983, the UN General Assembly created the World Commission on Environment and Development which was later known as the Brundtland Commission, named after its Chair, Gro Harlem Brundtland, then Prime Minister of Norway and later head of the World Health Organization. ► In 1987, the Commission published the Brundtland Report, entitled Our Common Future168.
- 9. ► It built upon what had been achieved at Stockholm and provided the most politically significant of all definitions of sustainable development: “sustainable development is development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs”. ► Two major concepts: ► firstly, the concept of 'needs', in particular the essential needs of the world's poor, to whom overriding priority should be given; and ► secondly the idea of limitations imposed by the state of technology and social organization on the environment's ability to meet present and future needs.
- 11. Concepts of sustainability • The concept of sustainability is composed of three pillars: economic, environmental, and social—also known informally as profits, planet, and people.
- 13. Social sustainability ► It focuses on the idea that future generations should have same or greater access to social resources as current generation (Intergenerational equity) along with equal access to social resources within the current generation (Inrtragenerational equity). ► Socially sustainable communities are equitable, diverse, democratic and provide good quality of life. ► Three values that forms the core of social sustainability; Quality of life Growth Equality
- 14. Social sustainability A community or society that wants to pursue sustainability will try to follow the 6 principles: 1. Maintain resident’s quality of life 2. Enhance local economic vitality 3. Promote social and intergenerational equity 4. Maintain the quality of the environment 5. Incorporate disaster resilience and mitigation into its decisions and actions 6. Use a consensus – building, participatory process when making decisions
- 15. Environmental sustainability means: Improving the quality of human life while living within the carrying capacity of supporting ecosystems. Design activities to meet human needs, while preserving the existing resources. Use of natural resources at a rate at which they can be replenished naturally. Reduce negative impacts on the environment. Environmental Sustainability
- 16. Environmental Sustainability Rate of resource consumption State of Environment Sustainability Less than nature’s ability to replenish Environmental renewal Sustainable Equal to nature’s ability to replenish Environmental equilibrium Steady State More than nature’s ability to replenish Environmental degradation Not sustainable ► Environmental sustainability requires: 1. Maintenance of biodiversity (genes, species and ecosystems) 2. Protection of natural capital (air, water, soils etc.) 3. Maintenance of the energy and material cycles of the planet 4. Health and resilience of all life support systems.
- 17. ►This can be achieved by: • Reduce dependence upon finite, resources like Fossil fuels, minerals and metals • Nature must not be subjected to increased concentrations of substances produced by society - consideration be given to the biodegradability of substances and the length of time it takes the earth to reabsorb them. • The physical basis for the productivity and biodiversity of nature must be not degraded • There must be efficient use and fair distribution of resources to enable humans to meet their needs - a reduction in consumerism, especially among wealthy nations.
- 18. Anakulam, Munnar
- 19. • Anakulam, or elephant’s pond in Malayalam, is situated around 40 kilometres from the popular hill station Munnar. According to the natives, wild elephants and their claves from the forests under the Malayattoor forest division frequently arrive at the Anakulam river to drink water in the evening. • they use it only to drink water • Once they reach here, the elephants stay back on the banks of the river for at least six to seven hours, or even until the following day, before retreating to the forest.
- 20. Economic sustainability • Ensures that the industry or business is making profit without creating much damage to the balance of the existing environment/ecology. • Developing vs Developed countries • Long term economic growth without negatively impacting social, environmental and cultural aspects of community • Economic growth has to be sustainable, if it improves quality of human life. • Population factor must be included to ensure fair resource consumption.
- 21. Economic-Social and Environmental matrix Quality of Life Concerns Economic Issue Social Issue Environmental Issue Unsustainable Sustainable Unsustainable Sustainable Unsustainable Sustainable Water High cost of drinking water Drinking water availability at low cost Access to drinking water denied to weaker section Adequate water supply to all sections High-level of pollution in lakes and rivers Conservation of existing fresh water bodies Food High cost of food and use of fertilizers and pesticides in farming Good food available at low cost Access to good food denied to weaker section Adequate access to good food to all sections Overuse of fertilizers and pesticides pollute the environment. Deforestation - conversion of forestland to farms Food is of nutritious quality and related diseases are lowered. Energy High cost and intermittent power supply Electricity available at low cost Over use of energy by the rich society and inadequate energy distribution Adequate energy available to all sections Use of fossil fuels and pollution Use of renewable resources.(so lar, wind, biomass)
- 22. Sustainable development ► Sustainable development is the development which meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. ► Finding long term development solutions that combine economic growth with environmental protection while enabling us to meet our social needs.
- 23. Pillars of Sustainable development ► Social Pillar-Community/ Societal development that provides food, shelter, clothing, education and health for human beings. ► Environmental Pillar-Environmental protection that provides pollution free-air, water and soil for the present and future generations ► Economic Pillar-Economic development such as provision of job, industrial development, business policy change and thus improving the quality of life. ► Institutional Pillar-The actions of government to implement sustainable development in their policies
- 24. ► Features of sustainable development: 1. Satisfying human needs 2. Favoring a good quality of life through decent standards of living 3. Sharing resources between rich and poor 4.Acting with concern for future generations 5. Looking at the ‘cradle-to-grave’impact when consuming 6. Minimizing resource use, waste and pollution
- 25. Measures of sustainable development • Technology: Using appropriate technology • 3R Approach: minimization of resource use, using them again, and recycling the materials. • Promoting Environmental Education and Awareness: Making environmental education the centre of all learning process • Resource Utilization as Per Carrying Capacity: Any system can sustain a limited number of organisms on a long-term basis which is known as its carrying capacity. • Improving Quality of Life Including Social, Cultural and Economic Dimensions: sharing of benefits between the rich and the poor.
- 26. Nexus between Technology and Sustainable Development Technology is the offspring of science. Technological innovation can be seen as a ‘double edged sword’, with respect to sustainable development. Technology improves quality of life, eliminate diseases and increase life expectancy Technology creates irreparable environmental damage due to resource extraction and pollution of air, water, soil. As technology advances, The environmental degradation accelerates exponentially The benefits of technological innovations are mostly enjoyed by the developed countries. Hence it is essential to integrate technology, society into sustainability.
- 27. Nexus between Technology and Sustainable Development Technology can support sustainability by 1. Conserving natural capital (renewable and nonrenewable resources) 2. Reducing waste and pollution 3. Raising efficiency standards 4. Finding substitutes for toxic/hazardous materials
- 28. Nexus between Technology and Sustainable Development Sustainable Agriculture Technology Sustainable agriculture integrates three main goals Environmental health, Economic profitability Social and economic equity. Some of the common ways towards sustainable agriculture are: • Integrated Pest Management (IPM) • Cover crops • Rotational Grazing • Crop/ landscape diversity • Soil conservation • Nutrient management • Agro-forestry
- 29. Nexus between Technology and Sustainable Development Sustainable Energy Sustainable energy is the energy that, in its production or consumption, has minimal negative impacts on human health and the healthy functioning of vital ecological systems, including the global environment. This can be achieved by using the following: Renewable energy source i. Solar ii. Biomass iii. Wind iv. Tide v. Geothermal Heat Energy efficient systems - upgrading the efficiency of the existing equipment, reduction of energy loss, saving of fuel, and optimization of its operating conditions and service life provide an ecologically safe strategy.
- 30. Challenges of Sustainable Development Misconception about sustainable development-The popular perception that development and environment protection should not go together, has to be changed. Population explosion in developing economies (require more food, energy, goods) Over exploitation of natural resources in developed countries (resulting in imbalance between developed & underdeveloped countries) Poverty Over dependence on fossil fuels leading to global warming & climate change Loss in Biodiversity Freshwater scarcity
- 31. Challenges of Sustainable Development Public awareness Absence of strict environment laws and legislations to control pollution Absence of adequate political and industrial will for moving towards a sustainable future Lack of co-ordination between the three pillars of sustainable development Corruption and misuse of sustainable development assistance funds
- 32. Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) • In September 2000, leaders of 189 countries gathered at the United Nations headquarters and signed the historic Millennium Declaration, in which they committed to achieving a set of eight measurable goals that range from halving extreme poverty and hunger to promoting gender equality and reducing child mortality, by the target date of 2015.
- 34. Revolutionary in providing a common language to reach global agreement. The 8 goals were realistic and easy to communicate, with a clear measurement/monitoring mechanism. Substantial progress has been made regarding the MDGs. The world has already realized the first MDG of halving the extreme poverty rate by 2015. However, the achievements have been uneven. The MDGs are set to expire in 2015 and the discussion of a post-2015 agenda continues. The focus is now on building a sustainable world where environmental sustainability, social inclusion, and economic development are equally valued.
- 35. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) • The Rio+20 conference (the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development) in Rio de Janeiro, June 2012, galvanized a process to develop a new set of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) which will carry on the momentum generated by the MDGs and fit into a global development framework beyond 2015. • In the interest of creating a new, people-centered, development agenda, a global consultation was conducted online and offline. • Civil society organizations, citizens, scientists, academics, and the private sector from around the world were all actively engaged in the process.
- 36. • In July 2014, the UN General Assembly Open Working Group (OWG) proposed a document containing 17 goals to be put forward for the General Assembly’s approval in September 2015. • This document set the ground for the new SDGs and the global development agenda spanning from 2015-2030.
- 38. 1. End poverty in all its forms everywhere. 2. End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture. 3. Ensure healthy lives and promote well being for all at all stages. 4. Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all. 5. Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls. 6. Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all. 7. Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all. 8. Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all. 9. Built resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation
- 39. 10. Reduce inequalities within and among countries. 11. Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable. 12. Ensure sustainable consumption and production pattern. 13. Take urgent actions to combat climate change and its impact. 14. Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources. 15. Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably managed forests, combat desertification and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss. 16. Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels. 17. Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the global partnership for sustainable development.
- 40. The Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) • Defined in Article 12 of the Protocol, allows a country with an emission-reduction or emission-limitation commitment under the Kyoto Protocol (Annex B Party) to implement an emission-reduction project in developing countries. • Such projects can earn saleable certified emission reduction (CER) credits, each equivalent to one tonne of CO2, which can be counted towards meeting Kyoto targets. • The mechanism is seen by many as a trailblazer. • It is the first global, environmental investment and credit scheme of its kind, providing a standardized emissions offset instrument, CERs.
- 41. • A CDM project activity might involve, for example, a rural electrification project using solar panels or the installation of more energy-efficient boilers. • The mechanism stimulates sustainable development and emission reductions, while giving industrialized countries some flexibility in how they meet their emission reduction or limitation targets. • A CDM project must provide emission reductions that are additional to what would otherwise have occurred. • The projects must qualify through a rigorous and public registration and issuance process.
- 42. • Approval is given by the Designated National Authorities. • Public funding for CDM project activities must not result in the diversion of official development assistance. • The mechanism is overseen by the CDM Executive Board, answerable ultimately to the countries that have ratified the Kyoto Protocol. • Operational since the beginning of 2006, the mechanism has already registered more than 1,650 projects and is anticipated to produce CERs amounting to more than 2.9 billion tonnes of CO2 equivalent in the first commitment period of the Kyoto Protocol, 2008– 2012.