1

2

3

Please read this disclaimer before proceeding:

�This document is confidential and intended solely for the educational purpose of RMK Group of Educational Institutions. If you have received this document through email in error, please notify the system manager. This document contains proprietary information and is intended only to the respective group / learning community as intended. If you are not the addressee you should not disseminate, distribute or copy through e-mail. Please notify the sender immediately by e-mail if you have received this document by mistake and delete this document from your system. If you are not the intended recipient you are notified that disclosing, copying, distributing or taking any action in reliance on the contents of this information is strictly prohibited.

ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING

4

Table of Contents

5

Table of Contents

6

COURSE OBJECTIVES

Objectives:

The goal of this course is to enlighten and sensitize the students on environmental conservation and social issues. The course is designed to:

• To study the nature and facts about environment. To study interrelationship between living organism and environment and the integrated themes of biodiversity. 
• To find and implement scientific and technological solutions to current day pollution issues. 
• To appreciate the natural resources of environment which are inherently created by environment for supporting life? 
• To find the facts of sustainability practices 
• To appreciate the importance of environment by assessing its impact on the human population; envision the surrounding environment, its functions.

7

UNIT IV   SUSTAINABILITY AND MANAGEMENT 8

• Sustainability- concept, needs and challenges- economic, Circular economy -Sustainable Development Goals - Concept of Carbon footprint, Water footprint, Environmental management in industry: Environmental Impact Assessment, Clean Development Mechanism.
• Field study – Carbon and water footprint of the institution 

​

​

8

ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING L T P C 2 0 0 MC

COURSE OUTCOMES

9

�Course Outcome mapping with POs / PSOs �

10

LECTURE PLAN

11

ACTIVITY BASED LEARNING

​

• Activity based learning helps students express and embrace their curiosity.
• Once the students become curious, they tend to explore and learn by themselves.
• To evoke curiosity in students the following activities are given

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

• Waste Watchers
• Lead a discussion to assess where in the classroom electricity might be being wasted and remind your students to turn off and unplug devices when they are not being used.
• Help students understand how the choices they make have an impact on the planet using an online “carbon calculator.”
• A Peek at Packaging
• Explore how to reduce single-use plastic to protect the environment.
• Engage  in a Waste & Recycling Investigation to determine how much waste their home generates and where it goes, and get them to design a project to start or expand recycling and composting efforts.

​

12

UNIT – IV��SUSTAINABILITY AND MANAGEMENT

13

14

UNIT IV SUSTAINABILITY AND MANAGEMENT

4.1 Sustainability

Sustainability is defined as "a process that contributes to the development of a thriving economy and a good standard of living while respecting the need to conserve natural resources and safeguard the environment." It represents the idea that the world should remain as it is now for future generations to enjoy.

• Sustainability is the study of how natural systems work, maintain their diversity, and create everything that is necessary for the ecology to remain in balance. It also acknowledges that human civilization needs resources to support our contemporary way of life.
• Sustainability is ability to maintain or support a process over time.
• Sustainability is ensuring a balance between economic growth, environmental care and social well-being.  
• Sustainability is a holistic approach that considers ecological, social and economic dimensions, recognizing that all must be considered together to find lasting prosperity.

Concept / The three pillars of sustainability

The World Summit on Social Development in 2005 recognized three key topics that are important to the social science and philosophy of sustainable development. These "pillars" constitute the foundation for addressing the major issues the globe faces today and are found in many national standards and certification programs.

15

• Social sustainability
• Economic sustainability
• Environmental Sustainability

These are known as the three pillars of sustainability. So to achieve true sustainability we need to balance economic, social and environmental sustainability factors in equal harmony. 

Need

• Maximizing the probability of achieving sustainable development
• Minimizing the chances of environmental degradation.

Challenge of sustainability

• Zero waste.
• Regenerative nature.
• Dematerialisation.
• Resource efficiency.
• A fair society.
• A secure society.
• Zero-emissions.
• Adaptation and resilience.

Concepts of sustainable development:

• Using appropriate technology
• It should be locally adaptable, eco-friendly, resource-efficient and culturally suitable.
• The Technology should use less of resources, local labor and should produce minimum waste.

16

• 3-R approach
• Reduce - This insists on minimization of resource usage.
• Reuse - Using it again and again instead of passing it on to the waste stream.
• Recycle - This reduces pressure on our resources as well as reduces waste generation and pollution.

• Prompting environmental education and awareness
• Making environmental education the centre of all learning process will greatly help in changing the thinking and attitude of people towards our earth and the environment.
• Resource utilization as per carrying capacity
• Consumption of renewable resources: In order to attain sustainability, it is very important to consume the natural resources in such a way that the consumption should not exceed the regeneration capacity.
• Conservation of non-renewable resources: For sustainable development, non-renewable resources should be conserved by recycling and reusing.
• Population control
• By controlling population growth, we can aim for sustainable development.

Aspects of sustainable development

• Inter – generational equity

It states that we should hand over a safe, healthy and resourceful environment to our future generations.

17

• Intra – generational equity

It states that the technological development of rich countries should support the economic growth of poor countries and help in narrowing the wealth gap and lead to sustainability.

4.2 Circular Economy and SDGs

Circular economy: 

A circular economy employs reuse, sharing, repair, refurbishment, remanufacturing and recycling to create a closed-loop system in contrast to Linear Economy which summarizes as "take, make, and waste". Circular economy reduces the use of resource inputs and the creation of waste, pollution and carbon emissions.

The circular economy aims to keep products, materials, equipment and infrastructure in use for longer, thus improving the productivity of these resources.

Circular economy can be defined as an economic system which targets zero waste and pollution all through the materials lifecycles. Upon its lifetime end, materials return to either an industrial process or, in the case of a treated organic residual, safely back to the environment as in a natural regenerating cycle.

To combat poverty, hunger, disease, illiteracy, environmental degradation, and discrimination against women in the world, the leaders of different nations came up with the United Nations Millennium Declaration signed in September 2000.

Millennium Development Goals

The MDGs were derived from the United Nations Millennium Declaration. Each MDG had targets set for 2015 and indicators to monitor progress from 1990. Several of these were related directly to health. The eight MDGs varied from reducing extreme poverty rates by half to halting the spread of HIV/AIDS and giving primary education to all by 2015. This was agreed to by all the world’s countries. They have initiated revolutionary efforts to meet the needs of the worlds poorest.

18

The eight MDGs are as follows

1. To eradicate extreme poverty and hunger
2. To achieve universal primary education
3. To promote gender equality and empower women
4. To reduce child mortality
5. To improve maternal health
6. To combat HIV/AIDS, malaria, and other diseases
7. To ensure environmental sustainability
8. To develop a global partnership for development

Critics of the MDGs complained of a lack of analysis and justification behind the chosen objectives, and the difficulty or lack of measurements for some goals and uneven progress, among others. Owing to the setbacks and non-achievement of goals by the set target of 2015, the new agenda came to existence. The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (17 Sustainable Development Goals) was adopted by world leaders in September 2016 at the United Nations targeted to be achieved (SDGs) by 2030.

 4.3 Sustainable Development Goals

The 17 SDGs are the shared vision of humanity and a social contract between the world's leaders and the people. They are a to-do list for people and the planet, and a blueprint for success.

19

Goal 1: End poverty in all its forms everywhere

It resolved that all people, everywhere, should enjoy a basic standard of living. This includes social protection benefits for the poor and most vulnerable and ensuring that people harmed by conflict and natural hazards receive adequate support, including access to basic services.

Goal 2: End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture

It seeks sustainable solutions to end hunger in all its forms by 2030 and to achieve food security. The aim is to ensure that everyone everywhere has enough good-quality food to lead a healthy life. Achieving this Goal will require better access to food and the widespread promotion of sustainable agriculture. 

Goal 3: Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages

It seeks to ensure health and well-being for all, at every stage of life. The aim is to improve reproductive and maternal and child health; end the epidemics of HIV/AIDS, malaria, tuberculosis and neglected tropical diseases; reduce non-communicable and environmental diseases; achieve universal health coverage; and ensure universal access to safe, affordable and effective medicines and vaccines. 

Goal 4: Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong opportunities for all

It aims to ensure that all people have access to quality education and lifelong learning opportunities. The Goal focuses on the acquisition of foundational and higher-order skills at all stages of education and development; greater and more equitable access to quality education at all levels as well as technical and vocational education and training and the knowledge, skills and values needed to function well and contribute to society.

20

Goal 5: Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls

Empowering women and girls to reach their full potential requires that they have equal opportunities to those of men and boys. This means eliminating all forms of discrimination and violence against them, including violence by intimate partners, sexual violence and harmful practices, such as child marriage and female infanticide. 

Goal 6: Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all

Sustainable Development Goal 6 goes beyond drinking water, sanitation and hygiene to also address the quality and sustainability of water resources, critical to the survival of people and the planet.

Goal 7: Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all

Access to affordable, reliable and sustainable energy is crucial to achieving many of the Sustainable Development Goals – from poverty eradication via advancements in health, education, water supply and industrialization to mitigating climate change. 

Goal 8: Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all

Sustained and inclusive economic growth is a prerequisite for sustainable development, which can contribute to improved livelihoods for people around the world. Economic growth can lead to new and better employment opportunities and provide greater economic security for all. 

Goal 9: Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation

It addresses three important aspects of sustainable development: infrastructure, industrialization and innovation. Infrastructure provides the basic physical facilities essential to business and society; industrialization drives economic growth and job creation, thereby reducing income inequality; and innovation expands the technological capabilities of industrial sectors and leads to the development of new skills.

21

Goal 10: Reduce inequality within and among countries

It calls for reducing inequalities in income as well as those based on sex, age, disability, race, class, ethnicity, religion and opportunity – both within and among countries. 

Goal 11: Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable

Today, more than half the world’s population lives in cities. Despite numerous planning challenges, cities offer more efficient economies of scale on many levels, including the provision of goods, services and transportation. With sound, risk-informed planning and management, cities can become incubators for innovation and growth and drivers of sustainable development.

Goal 12: Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns

Sustainable growth and development requires minimizing the natural resources and toxic materials used, and the waste and pollutants generated, throughout the entire production and consumption process. 

Goal 13: Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts

Climate change presents the single biggest threat to development, and its widespread, unprecedented effects disproportionately burden the poorest and the most vulnerable. Goal 13 calls for urgent action not only to combat climate change and its impacts, but also to build resilience in responding to climate-related hazards and natural disasters.

Goal 14: Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development

Oceans, seas and other marine resources are essential to human well-being and social and economic development worldwide. Marine resources are particularly important for people living in coastal communities, who represent 37 per cent of the world population. Oceans provide livelihoods, subsistence and benefits from fisheries, tourism and other sectors. They also help regulate the global ecosystem by absorbing heat and carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere. However, oceans and coastal areas are extremely vulnerable to environmental degradation, overfishing, climate change and pollution.

22

Goal 15: Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss

Preserving diverse forms of life on land requires targeted efforts to protect, restore and promote the conservation and sustainable use of terrestrial and other ecosystems. Goal 15 focuses specifically on managing forests sustainably, halting and reversing land and natural habitat degradation, successfully combating desertification and stopping biodiversity loss.

Goal 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

Central to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development is the need to promote peaceful and inclusive societies based on respect for human rights, the rule of law and transparent, effective and accountable institutions. Efforts are under way to make national and international institutions more effective, inclusive and transparent. Today, more than half the world has internationally recognized human rights institutions. However, significant challenges remain, including lack of data on various forms of violence against children and other vulnerable groups, access to justice and public access to information.

Goal 17: Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the Global Partnership for Sustainable Development

A revitalized and enhanced global partnership that brings together Governments, civil society, the private sector, the United Nations system and other actors, mobilizing all available resources is the main target of the agenda. Meeting implementation targets, including the raising of necessary funds, is key to realizing the SDGs

 SDG Indicators

 A vigorous follow-up and review mechanism for the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development requires a solid framework of indicators and statistical data to monitor progress, inform policy and ensure accountability of all stakeholders.

23

The global indicator framework was adopted by the General Assembly on 6 July 2017 and is contained in the Resolution adopted by the General Assembly on Work of the Statistical Commission pertaining to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development

The global indicator framework includes 231 unique indicators. But the total number of indicators listed in the global indicator framework of SDG indicators is 248. Thirteen indicators repeat under two or three different targets.Data showing the progress made through the years from 2015, when SDGs where implemented are shown below to understand the current scenario.

With respect to the first SDG of End Poverty in all forms everywhere, the below data shows the damage caused the pandemic in the progress.

SDG 2: End hunger, achieve food security and�improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture.

COVID-19 has had a further and profound impact on hunger and food�security, triggered by disruptions in food supply chains, income losses,�widening social inequities, an altered food environment and price�hikes. Between 720 and 811 million people in the world faced hunger in 2020, an increase of as many as 161 million from 2019. The prevalence of undernourishment increased from 8.4 per cent in 2019 to 9.9 per cent in 2020

24

SDG 3: Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages

Globally, HIV incidence among adults aged 15 to 49 declined by 24 per cent over the last decade. It fell from 0.48 infections per 1,000 uninfected people in 2010 to 0.37 in 2019, when 1.7 million new HIV infections were reported – still three times the global target of fewer than 500,000 by 2020. The main reasons targets were missed were inequalities in access to HIV prevention, testing and treatment services across regions, countries and subpopulations within countries. The pandemic has caused considerable disruptions to HIV services.

25

SDG 4: Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls

The social and economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic have adversely affected progress towards gender equality. Violence against women and girls has intensified; child marriage, on the decline in recent years, is expected to increase; and women have suffered a�disproportionate share of job losses and increased care work at home.

SDG 6: Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all

Over the last century, global water use has increased at more than twice the rate of population growth. Many water sources are drying up, becoming more polluted or both.

In addition to water stress and water pollution, countries are facing growing challenges linked to degraded water-related ecosystems, water scarcity caused by climate change, under investment in water and sanitation, and insufficient cooperation on trans boundary waters.

The world is not on track to achieve Goal 6. A dramatic acceleration in current rates of progress and integrated and holistic approaches to water management are badly needed.

26

27

SDG 7: Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all

Over the last decade, access to electricity has expanded, use of renewable energy in the electricity sector has increased, and energy efficiency has improved. Still, millions of people are without electricity, and one third of the global population lack clean cooking fuels and technologies.

4.4 Carbon footprint

A footprint is proof that you were there: similarly, a figurative kind of footprint is evidence of someone or something's presence or influence. For example, a company's "carbon footprint" is the amount of polluting greenhouse gas it emits.

Carbon footprint, amount of carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions associated with all the activities of a person or other entity (e.g., building, corporation, country, etc.). It includes direct emissions, such as those that result from fossil-fuel combustion in manufacturing, heating, and transportation, as well as emissions required to produce the electricity associated with goods and services consumed. In addition, the carbon footprint concept also often includes the emissions of other greenhouse gases, such as methane, nitrous oxide, or chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs).

28

Most of the time, it is impossible to determine the overall carbon footprint precisely due to a lack of information on the numerous interconnections between the activities that contribute to it, including the impact of natural processes that absorb or release carbon dioxide.

Global per capita carbon dioxide emissions averaged 4.47 metric tons per person in 2020.The average carbon footprint for a U.S. citizen is 16 tons. This is one of the highest rates in the world. Everyone has a different carbon footprint, based on their lifestyle, work, and preferences. Unless we count it, we can’t do anything to reduce them. Not only the individual, even all the sectors of the world hold responsibility for producing the carbon. The latest climate science reported the key scientific findings linking the increase in anthropogenic GHGs emissions in current climate change. According to the report, it is only possible to avoid warming of 1.5 °C or 2 °C if massive and immediate cuts in GHGS are made. Carbon emissions can be calculated in two different ways that is Direct and indirect emissions.

Direct emissions:

Direct or 'scope 1' carbon emissions come from sources that are directly from the site that is producing a product or delivering a service.

• For example, the emissions coming out while burning a fuel.

Indirect emissions:

Emissions during the following activities are considered as indirect emissions:

• Transportation of materials/fuels
• Any energy used outside of the production facility
• Wastes produced outside of the production facility
• Any end-of-life process or treatments
• Product and waste transportation
• Emissions associated with selling the product

29

Different types of carbon footprints are available by means of which Companies as well as individuals can work out their carbon footprints. 

Causes of carbon footprint:

Although some production of greenhouse gases is natural, human activity has increased the production substantially.

Industrialisation:

• Major industrial sources of greenhouse gases are power plants, residential buildings, and road transportation, as well as energy industry processes and losses, iron and steel manufacturing, coal mining, and chemical and petrochemical industries.

Environmental changes

• Changes in the environment also contribute the increase in greenhouse gas emission such as, deforestation, forest degradation, and land use changes livestock, agricultural soils and water, and wastewater. China is the largest contributor of greenhouse gas, causing up 30% of the total emissions.

Reducing the carbon footprints:

As the climate change is already happening, and if we are to keep down global temperatures, individuals, companies, and governments need to work together to change the world we live in for the better. The more people who know what their carbon footprint is, the more people will realise that only we can stop catastrophic climate change through our actions.

• Lifestyle and systemic changes
• Avoid throw away fashion
• Reduce meat and diary consumption (Livestock and their byproducts account for at least 32,000 million tons of CO2 per year, or 51% of all worldwide greenhouse gas emissions)

30

• Refuse single-use plastic (300 million tons of plastic are produced globally each year. Without intervention, the amount of emissions from plastic will consume 17% of the global carbon budget by 2050!)
• Make Your Home More Energy-Efficient, Travel Efficiently and Infrequently.
• Reduce, Reuse and Recycle

In order to minimise the carbon emissions in the atmosphere, caron credit has been introduced as a strategic plan.

Carbon Credit

Carbon credits are cap-and-trade systems that allow carbon emitters to trade carbon permits on an open market, thereby maximising the carbon emissions and mitigation.

In the early 1980s the concept of swapping national debt with developing countries to protect natural resources was proposed as a means of protecting biological diversity. The debt-for-nature swaps became a model for carbon credits. A carbon credit system was devised that imposed national caps on greenhouse gas emissions of developed nations.

Under the prevailing Kyoto Protocol climate agreement, carbon credits are used in market-based system of Carbon Trading. Carbon trading allows countries and companies to sell their carbon credits for money. That is carbon credit” is a tradable certificate. More specifically, it is a permit that gives the holder the right to emit, over a certain period, carbon dioxide or other greenhouse gases (e.g. methane, nitrous oxide or hydrofluorocarbons).

The carbon credit limits the emission to one tonne of carbon dioxide or the mass of another greenhouse gas with a carbon dioxide equivalent (tCO₂e) corresponding to one tonne of carbon dioxide. In other words, 1 carbon credit corresponds to 1 metric tonne of carbon dioxide prevented from entering the atmosphere.

31

Carbon Trade:

• Carbon trading is an exchange of credits between nations designed to reduce emissions of carbon dioxide.
• Carbon trading is also referred to as carbon emissions trading. Carbon emissions trading accounts for most emissions trading.

How it works?

To better understand how Carbon Credits work, let’s consider this example:

Company A emits less than its target amount of CO₂; this means that Company A has a surplus of Carbon Credits. Company B, on the other hand, emits more than its target amount of hydrocarbon, so either Company B pays a fine or tries to buy Carbon Credits from another company.

At this point, Company A and Company B get to an agreement and trade Carbon Credits: Company A sells its surplus to Company B, getting money and a positive image feedback, while Company B buying Carbon Credits from Company A avoids paying a fine.

• Basically, each country has a cap on the amount of carbon they are allowed to release. A carbon emission trading then allows countries that have higher carbon emissions to purchase the right to release more carbon dioxide into the atmosphere from countries that have lower carbon emissions.
• The carbon trade also refers to the ability of individual companies to trade polluting rights through a regulatory system known as cap and trade. Companies that pollute less can sell their unused pollution rights to companies that pollute more.
• The goal is to ensure that companies in the aggregate do not exceed a baseline level of pollution and to provide a financial incentive for companies to pollute less.

32

A price on carbon helps shift the burden for the damage back to those who are responsible for it, and who can reduce it. Instead of dictating who should reduce emissions where and how, a carbon price gives an economic signal and polluters decide for themselves whether to discontinue their polluting activity, reduce emissions, or continue polluting and pay for it. In this way, the overall environmental goal is achieved in the most flexible and least-cost way to society. The carbon price also stimulates clean technology and market innovation, fuelling new, low-carbon drivers of economic growth.

Who issues Carbon Credit?

The Kyoto Protocol establishes the quotas of greenhouse gases (denominated in individual units) that each developed country can emit. These so-called Assigned Amount Units correspond to an allowance to emit one metric tonne of CO₂ or equivalent greenhouse gas. Each country then divides its quotas assigning them to local businesses and organizations, setting in this way a limit on the emissions of CO₂ for each of them.

Who Buys Carbon Credits?

Carbon Credits are bought, on a voluntary basis, by any country or company interested in lowering its carbon footprint.The Kyoto Protocol divides countries into two groups according to the level of their economy: industrialised and developing economies. The first group operates in an emissions trading market, assigning to each country a certain emissions standard to meet.

If, for example, a country emits less than its target amount of CO₂, then it can sell the surplus credits to other countries that do not meet their emissions level goals established by the Kyoto Protocol. This buying and selling of Carbon Credits is regulated by a legal contract called ERPA (Emission Reduction Purchase Agreement).

There is also another mechanism, called Clean Development Mechanism and specifically addressed to developing countries, that issues Carbon Credits for supporting sustainable development initiatives (those Carbon Credits are called Certified Emission Reduction, or CER).

33

Advantages:

Developing nations can earn revenue by selling carbon credits to company with more fossil fuel demand.

The carbon trade market is without any economic intervention and regulation by government except to regulate against frauds.

Threshold limits encourage industries to harness alternate sources of energy and invest in green technology globally.

Disadvantages:

• Industries in the ratified nations are purchasing legal rights to pollute the atmosphere
• Industries are opting the easy way that is purchasing more allowances rather than implementing greener technologies.
• Leads to carbon reduction in one place and results in carbon emission at some other place.

Water footprint:

In the world, water play an important role. We can survive without water for about three days, but this number varies drastically depending on personal and environmental factors. Water is a building block material and necessary for our life to thrive. This precious water we should use in judicious way. Each and every material around us is directly or indirectly made up of water. In our day-to-day life, our day start with coffee. According to the calculation of Water Footprint Network, 132 Liters (35 gallons) of water required for making one cup of coffee. Normally coffee means we are thinking about coffee powder, sugar etc. But we are not thinking about the virtual water for making this coffee. For all the material, we can calculate water foot print.

34

The word "water footprint" was coined with the term "carbon footprint," which denotes the whole amount of emission of greenhouse gas (GHG) produced by an entity such as a company, event, person, or product. This was inspired by the term ecological footprint in the year 1990s, which raised consciousness of the environmental effects of industrial revolution all across the world. The Water Footprint Network (WFN) which aids as a platform for linking societies involved in efficiency, sustainability and equitability in the water usage.

The concept of a water footprint was coined in 2002, by Arjen Hoekstra, Professor in water management at the University of Twente, Netherland. Water footprint is one of a family of ecological footprint indicators, which also includes carbon footprint and land footprint.  The water footprint concept is further related to the idea of virtual water trade introduced in the early 1990s by Professor John Allan. For this concept he had received Stockholm Water Prize award in 2008.

Definition:

Water Footprint refers to the volume of water used to produce various products and services. Ex. One kg of paddy rice produces 0.67 kg of milled rice on average. In the shop we buy milled rice in the form of white rice or broken rice. The water footprint of rice in this form is 2500 litres of water per kg.

The water foot print calculates the sum amount of water utilized to produce every material till it reaches to end user. This can be determined by a single process, like making car, growing rice, mobile phone, shoe etc.

Types of water footprint:

There are 3 types of water footprint. (i) Green water footprint (2) blue water footprint (3) grey water footprint.

35

Water footprint in everyday products:

In our daily life we use large amount of virtual water. For all the items, the starting stage to end users reach several steps are there. Every stage huge amount of virtual water is used.

36

Water footprint per capita:

The water footprint of an individual refers to the sum of their direct and indirect freshwater use. The direct water use is the water used at home, while the indirect water use relates to the total volume of freshwater that is used to produce the goods and services consumed. The average global water footprint of an individual is 1,385 m³ per year. Residents of some example nations have water footprints as shown below.

Reduction of water footprint:

Water footprint can be minimized by some techniques. Based on the direct and indirect water footprints are listed below.

Direct footprint:

• Reduce the frequency of water-intensive chores
• Adopt rainwater harvesting to replenish groundwater
• Install water-saving devices on taps and showerheads
• Use recycled water for domestic cleaning
• Switch from showers to bucket baths.

Indirect footprint:

• Consume less water intensive food and more local, seasonal food
• Eat less meat and animal products
• Buy items with a smaller water footprint
• Minimise the use of harmful chemical-based cleaning and personal care products
• Reuse products as many times as possible.
• Segregate your waste so that it does not contaminate ground water.

37

4.5 Environmental Impact Assessment:

Environment Impact Assessment or EIA can be defined as “the study to predict the effect of a proposed activity/project on the environment”. A decision-making tool, EIA compares various alternatives for a project and seeks to identify the one which represents the best combination of economic, environmental costs and benefits. EIA systematically examines both beneficial and adverse consequences of the project and ensures that these effects are taken into account during project design.

Importance of EIA:

• Links environment with safe and sustainable development.
• Provides a cost-effective method to minimize the adverse impact of developmental projects.
• Enables the decision makers to analyze the effect of developmental activities on the environment before implementation.
• Encourages the adaptation of mitigation strategies in the developmental plan.
• Make sure that the developmental plan is environment safe.

EIA is a mandatory regulatory procedure originated in the early 1970s, with the implementation of the National Environment Policy Act (NEPA) 1969 in the US. Though the initiative was taken in 1976 by Planning commission in India, only in 1994 it was made mandatory to get environmental clearance for any project. In 2006, the MOEF mandated EIA for various projects such as mining, thermal power plants, river valley, infrastructure (road, highway, ports, harbours and airports) and industries including very small electroplating or foundry units to get environment clearance. 

EIA Process (2006):

The environment impact assessment consists of eight steps with each step equally important in determining the overall performance of the project:

Step I: Screening: It determines whether the proposed project requires an EIA and if it does, then the level of assessment required.  The government rules categorize projects into two categories, A and B based on the extent of the impacts, effects on human health and the effects on the environment.

38

Step II: Preliminary assessment and Scoping: It identifies the key issues and impacts that should be further investigated.

Step III: Main EIA:

• Impact analysis: It identifies and predicts the likely environmental and social impact of the proposed project and evaluate its significance.
• Mitigation: It recommends the actions to reduce and avoid the potential adverse environmental consequences of development activities.
• Reporting: It presents the result of EIA in a form of a report to the decision-making body and other interested parties. 
• Review of EIA: This stage examines the adequacy and effectiveness of the EIA report and provides the information necessary for decision-making.
• Decision-making: It decides whether the project is rejected, approved or needs a further change.
• Post monitoring: This stage comes into play once the project is commissioned. It checks to ensure that the impacts of the project do not exceed the legal standards and implementation of the mitigation measures are in the manner as described in the EIA report. 

39

• Step IV: Public Hearing: The SPCB conducts a public hearing at the site or in its close proximity- district wise for ascertaining concerns of local affected persons. Once public hearing is over, the project developer will get a NOC from SPCB and submit application to the MOEF secretary to get environmental clearance.

Key changes in EIA 2020:

• Several activities are removed from the purview of public consultation.
• A list of projects has been included under Category B2, expressly exempted from the requirement of an EIA.
• The projects under this category include offshore and onshore oil, gas and shale exploration, hydroelectric projects up to 25 MW, irrigation projects between 2,000 and 10,000 hectares of command area, micro-small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in dye and dye intermediates, all inland waterway projects etc.
• The projects in this list are under existing norms, identified on the basis of screening by Expert Appraisal Committees rather than being exempted through listing in the Schedule.

Also, coal and non-coal mineral prospecting and solar photovoltaic projects do not need prior environmental clearance or permission in the new scheme.

Apprehensions:

• Inclusion of few projects under B2 category might impact the environment.
• Those projects executed already, will get post-facto environmental clearance.
• The notice period for public hearing has been cut.
• Similarly, for project modernization and expansion, that is those involving more than 25% increase requires EIA, and over 50% attracts public consultation.

40

• Under the proposed changes, project proponents need to submit only one annual report on compliance with conditions instead of two – may be of concern as the CAG found the deficiencies in semi-annual compliance reporting of many projects.
• Properly implemented EIA with due concerns of environmental impact would enable the intended objective of environmental conservation.

Additional reading:

• Public hearing is not required for the following projects (Category B2 projects):
• Small scale industrial undertakings located in notified or designed industrial areas/ industrial estates.
• Areas marked for industries under the jurisdiction of industrial development authorities.
• Widening and strengthening of highways.
• Mining projects (major minerals) with lease areas up to 25 hectares.
• Units located in export processing zones and special economic zones and
• Modernization of existing irrigation projects. MOEF is the nodal agency for environmental clearance.

How would the new rules enable post-facto approval of violations?

• The EIA Notification 2020 excludes reporting by the public of violations and non-compliance.
• Instead, the Government will take cognizance of reports only from the violator-promoter, government authority, Appraisal Committee or Regulatory Authority.
• Such projects can then be approved with conditions including remediation of ecological damage, which again will be assessed and reported by the violator (and not an unconnected agency) although Central Pollution Control Board guidelines must be used.

41

4.6 Clean Development Mechanism:

• Article 12 of the Kyoto Protocol essentially defines the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM).
• The CDM permits the public and private sectors in high-income countries the chance to buy carbon credits from offset projects in low- or middle-income countries because it is the largest regulatory project-based mechanism.
• Such initiatives can generate saleable certified emission reduction (CER) credits, which are used to count toward achieving Kyoto commitments and are each equal to one tonne of CO2.
• It is the first worldwide environmental investment and credit program of its kind, offering CERs, a standardized mechanism for offsetting emissions.
• Many regard the mechanism as a trailblazer. It is the first global environmental investment and credit scheme of its kind, offering CERs as a standardised emissions offset instrument.
• For example, a CDM project activity could include rural electrification using solar panels or the installation of more energy-efficient boilers.

Objectives

• A clean development mechanism's objectives are as follows:
• Assist in slowing down and preventing climate change.
• Aid developing nations in the creation of long-lasting strategies.
• Aid developed nations in cutting emissions and switching to more eco-friendly energy sources.
• Aid nations in putting innovative emission-reduction plans into action.
• Reducing the use of fossil fuels.
• Generating energy from animal faces and actively controlling it.
• Reducing the pollution that is generated throughout the

manufacturing process.

42

Operating Details

• Identification of the Project: This is the first stage, during which research is done to identify a theory that has the potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
• Approval from the Government: Once the idea has been acknowledged, it is submitted for Indian government approval to the Ministry of Environment, Forests, and Climate Change.
• Development of the Project: In compliance with the Kyoto Protocol, research is being done to create a baseline against which the change in emissions will be tracked.
• Authentication: The preliminary identification survey's findings are verified by an impartial organization chosen by the CDM Administrative Entity.
• Registration Process: The chosen initiative becomes a CDM project with formal acceptance by the governing council, entitling it to all the financial and legal benefits granted by the Kyoto Protocol.
• Tracking: Following registration, changes in greenhouse gas emissions are monitored over time, and the project's execution is improved as necessary.
• Verification: Before sending the information to be certified, a team of experts verifies all of the information and outcomes.
• Certification: The supervising authority acknowledges, following careful verification, that the project has successfully reduced emissions in line with the plan.

Significance:

• It assists developed countries in meeting their pledges to reduce emissions.
• It helps developing countries achieve long-term development.
• CDM projects generate tradable, saleable certified emission reduction (CER) credits, which can be used by industrialised countries to meet a portion of their Kyoto Protocol emission reduction targets.

​

43

• CDM projects provide other benefits such as:
• investment in climate change mitigation projects in developing countries;
• technology transfer or diffusion in host countries; and
• Improved community livelihoods through job creation or increased economic activity.

Challenges:

Carbon Leakage: In theory, crediting methods could lessen leakage. In reality, the baseline against which credits are awarded is defined, and this influences the amount of leakage in part.

• Additionally, Transaction Costs & Bottlenecks: The Kyoto Protocol's environmental efficacy requires additional emission reductions from the CDM.
• The CDM is essentially a transfer of income to non-Annex I nations without any additionally. However, additionally is a tough concept to demonstrate and is hotly contested.
• CDM project approval has experienced delays (bottlenecks) due to additionally assessment.
• Incentives: The CDM does not penalize increased emissions, but it does reward them. As a result, it is almost like a subsidy for carbon reduction.
• As a result, businesses may have a perverse incentive to increase their emissions in the short term in order to qualify for credits for long-term emission reductions.

• Local Resistance: According to some civil society organizations, the majority of CDM projects benefit large corporations while harming marginalized individuals.
• A grassroots campaign of waste pickers began to oppose a CDM project in New Delhi in 2012.

44

• A CDM project in Panama in 2012 prevented the Panamanian government and the indigenous Ngöbe-Buglé people from reaching a peace agreement.
• Market Deflation: The largest carbon market and the source of the majority of the demand for CERs from the CDM is the European Union Emissions Trading Scheme.
• The market price for CERs dropped by approximately 70% in a year, to a new record low of €2.67 per tonne, in July 2012.
• The low CER price was linked by analysts to the excess of EU emissions allowances, reduced pricing for EU emissions allowances, and the weakening European economy.

The mechanism promotes sustainable development and emission reductions while providing industrialised countries with some flexibility in meeting their emission reduction or limitation targets. A project utilizing a clean development mechanism must result in quantifiable advancements in climate change mitigation. The project must be able to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions and offer genuine, long-term benefits.

Practice Quiz

1. What is “3E”?�a) Energy, economy and environment�b) Reduce, reuse and recycle�c) Energy, economy and envision�d) Ergonomics, evolution and economy
2. Which of the following is relates the three elements of “3E”?�a) Energy from fossil fuels�b) Energy from natural gas�c) Renewable energy sources and technology�d) Economy
3. Which of the following ensures sustainable growth?�a) Positive economic growth, deterioration of environment with economic expansion and energy resource meeting energy demands�b) Negative economic growth, deterioration of environment with economic expansion and energy resource meeting energy demands�c) Positive economic growth, non-deterioration of environment with economic expansion and growth of energy resource not meeting energy demands�d) Positive economic growth, deterioration of environment with economic expansion and growth of energy resource meeting energy demands
4. Which of the following contributes towards growth of economic and energy?�a) Intermittent capital and human resource investment�b) Continuous capital and human resource investment�c) Decrement in capital and human resource investment�d) No capital and human resource investment
5. Which of the following best describes green economy?�a) A high carbon, resource inefficient and socially inclusive economy�b) A low carbon, resource efficient and socially inclusive economy�c) A low carbon, resource inefficient and socially exclusive economy�d) A high carbon, resource efficient and socially inclusive economy�

​

​

45

Practice Quiz

6. What is the main problem with development of countries?�a) Strain on environment to absorb the damage and self-heal�b) Decrement in poverty�c) Higher energy consumption per capita�d) Lower energy consumption per capita

​

7. Based on what the Kyoto Protocol set emission reduction targets for the group of greenhouse gases?�a) Hydrogen equivalents�b) Carbon dioxide equivalents�c) Oxygen equivalents�d) Nitrogen equivalents

​

8. Which one of the following is the objective of Kyoto Protocol?�a) Stabilization and reconstruction of greenhouse gases�b) Protecting the ozone layer from depletion�c) Reducing the CFCs and HFCs usage�d) Increasing the greenhouse gases

​

9. Carbon footprint can be measured by:�a) Carbon dating�b) Instruments�c) Carbon accounting�d) Formula

​

10. For sustainable development, environment damage rate _____ environment recovery rate.�a) should be greater than the�b) should be exponentially greater than the�c) should be same as the�d) should be lesser than the

​

​

​

46

Assignment

1. Why is sustainable development essential? How does it help to prevent environmental degradation. [K3]
2. Which type of projects usually requires an EIA. Explain. [K3]
3. What is the impact of CDM in relation with the developed and developing countries. [K2]
4. Write importance and Prospective challenges of SDGs [K2]
5. Explain MDGs Vs. SDGs [K2]
6. Write Lockdown Impact on Carbon Footprints [K2]

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

47

Supportive online certification courses

1. Environmental Impact Assessment (NPTEL)

https://onlinecourses.nptel.ac.in/noc23_ar04/preview

2. Introduction to Environmental Engineering and Science – Fundamental and Sustainability Concepts (NPTEL)

https://onlinecourses.nptel.ac.in/noc23_ge17/preview�

3. Environmental Remediation of Contaminated Sites (NPTEL)��https://onlinecourses.nptel.ac.in/noc23_ce11/preview

4. Sustainability courses

https://www.coursera.org/courses?query=sustainability

https://www.edx.org/learn/sustainable-development

https://www.udemy.com/topic/sustainable-development/

https://www.activesustainability.com/sustainable-life/free-online-courses-on-sustainable-development/

https://collegedunia.com/courses/sustainable-development

​

​

48

� Real time Applications in day to day life and to Industry

1. 12 ways to live sustainably

https://www.biologicaldiversity.org/programs/population_and_sustainability/sustainability/live_more_sustainably.html

2. Clean Development Mechanism.

http://www.arthapedia.in/index.php/Clean_Development_Mechanism_(CDM)

3. Role of central and state board pollution control

https://www.slideshare.net/SalmanBaig6/pollution-control-boards-sb-134960415

4. The environmental protection Act

https://moef.gov.in/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Environment-Protection-115-Amendment-Rules-2021.pdf

​

​

49

Content beyond the syllabus

50

1. Human rights.

https://www.un.org/en/sections/issues-depth/human-rights/

2. Urban problems related to energy.

https://www.wsp.com/en-GL/insights/energy-efficiency-and-resiliency-the-new-urban-challenge

3. Role of NGOs

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/288891855

4. Consumerism and waste product

https://www.scribd.com/document/372097918/CONSUMERISM-AND-WASTE-PRODUCTS-pdf

​

​

​

PRESCRIBED TEXT BOOKS & REFERENCE BOOKS

• Textbooks
• Anubha Kaushik and C. P. Kaushik, “Perspectives in environmental studies”, New Age International, 6^th edition, 2018.
• Benny Joseph, “Environmental Science and Engineering”, Tata McGraw-Hill, New Delhi, 2017.
• Gilbert M. Masters, Wendell P. Ela “Introduction to Environmental Engineering and Science”, 3^rd edition, Pearson Education, 2015.
• References
• William P. Cunningham and Mary Ann Cunningham, “Environmental Science: A Global Concern”, McGraw Hill, 14^th edition, 2017.
• G. Tyler Miller and Scott E. Spoolman, “Environmental Science”, Cengage Learning India Pvt. Ltd., Delhi, 14^th edition, 2014.
• Erach Bharucha, “Textbook of Environmental Studies”, Universities Press Pvt. Ltd., Hyderabad, 2^nd edition, 2015.

​

​

51

Mini Project suggestions

​

​

1. Carbon footprint of the Institution
2. water footprint of the institution
3. Write the challenges faced in achieving SDGs by 2030.
4. List the MDGs and SDGs
5. build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation
6. Prepare a list of Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls
7. Prepare a model for growth in the circular economy

​

​

​

52

Disclaimer:��This document is confidential and intended solely for the educational purpose of RMK Group of Educational Institutions. If you have received this document through email in error, please notify the system manager. This document contains proprietary information and is intended only to the respective group / learning community as intended. If you are not the addressee you should not disseminate, distribute or copy through e-mail. Please notify the sender immediately by e-mail if you have received this document by mistake and delete this document from your system. If you are not the intended recipient you are notified that disclosing, copying, distributing or taking any action in reliance on the contents of this information is strictly prohibited.

53

Thank you