UNIT - I: SUSTAINABILITY
Industrial Activity and Environment
The economy is often divided into three sectors:
Primary Sector: This involves the direct utilization of natural resources. Activities include agriculture,
dairy farming, fishing, forestry, and mining. It serves as the foundation for manufacturing
subsequent products.
Secondary (Industrial) Sector: This sector transforms natural products into different forms through
manufacturing. Products are created in a factory, workshop, or at home. It is often referred to as the
industrial sector.
Tertiary (Service) Sector: These activities support the primary and secondary sectors by providing
services rather than goods. Examples include transportation, storage, banking, and communication.
Industries have a significant impact on the environment through pollution, resource depletion,
habitat destruction, and waste generation, which contribute to climate change.
Industrialization and Sustainable Development
Industrialization has both advantages and disadvantages.
Advantages: It drives economic growth, fosters technological advancement, creates jobs, improves
living standards, spurs infrastructure development, and can lead to lower prices for goods.
Disadvantages: It can lead to environmental degradation, social inequality, poor working conditions,
health problems from pollution, and challenges from rapid urbanization.
Sustainability is the practice of meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of
future generations to meet their own needs. It involves a balanced approach considering
environmental health, economic viability, and social equity, which are known as the three pillars of
sustainability.
Environmental Sustainability: Protecting natural resources and ecosystems, for example by using
renewable energy and reducing pollution.
Economic Sustainability: Supporting long-term economic growth without negatively impacting social
or environmental aspects, such as by promoting fair trade and investing in green technologies.
Social Sustainability: Ensuring access to basic human needs, equity, and social justice, for example
by providing fair wages and promoting inclusive education.
Sustainability Indicators and Strategies
Sustainability Indicators are measurable values that help assess progress towards sustainable
development. They can be quantitative (e.g., greenhouse gas emissions) or qualitative (e.g.,
community participation).
Environmental Indicators: Examples include greenhouse gas emissions, water usage, and waste
generation rates.
Social Indicators: Examples include employee wages and benefits, health and safety incidents, and
gender equality in leadership.
Economic Indicators: Examples include revenue and profitability, investment in R&D;, and the share
of local procurement.
Sustainability Strategies for industries involve integrating environmental and social considerations
into business operations. Key strategies include:
Resource Efficiency: Implementing "Reduce, Reuse, Recycle" practices, conserving water, and
adopting a circular economy model where products are designed for durability and reuse.
Energy Efficiency: Conducting energy audits to identify waste and investing in renewable energy
like solar and wind.
Social Responsibility: Promoting fair labor practices and employee well-being, engaging with local
communities, and ensuring ethical sourcing.
Monitoring and Evaluation: Using Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to track progress and
regularly reporting on sustainability performance.
Barriers to Sustainability
Several barriers can hinder the adoption of sustainable practices:
Economic Barriers: A focus on short-term profits, the high initial cost of eco-friendly technology, and
a lack of financial incentives.
Political Barriers: Weak or poorly enforced environmental laws, unstable policies, and sustainability
not being a top government priority.
Social & Cultural Barriers: A lack of public awareness, resistance to changing habits, and some
unsustainable cultural practices.
Technological Barriers: Lack of access to green technology in poorer regions, outdated
infrastructure, and slow innovation in eco-friendly R&D.;
Pollution Prevention in Achieving Sustainability
To achieve sustainability, industries can implement several measures:
Cleaner Production Methods: Adopting techniques that minimize waste at the source, such as
redesigning processes or switching to less polluting raw materials.
Waste Management and Recycling: Properly disposing of industrial waste, recycling materials, and
treating wastewater before discharge.
Emission Control Systems: Installing systems like scrubbers and filters to capture pollutants before
they are released into the atmosphere.
Energy Efficiency: Adopting energy-efficient technologies to reduce energy consumption and
related emissions.
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UNIT - II: ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATIONS
Prevention vs. Control of Industrial Pollution
There are two primary approaches to managing industrial pollution:
Aspect Pollution Prevention Pollution Control
Approach Proactive – actions are taken before pollution is created to eliminate waste at the source.
Reactive – actions are taken after pollution has been generated to manage its impact.
Focus Process modification, cleaner production, and material substitution. End-of-pipe solutions
like treatment, disposal, and filtering of pollutants.
Cost Generally lower in the long term as it saves resources and energy. Can be more expensive
due to infrastructure and recurring operational costs.
Examples Using eco-friendly raw materials and energy-efficient equipment. Installing smokestack
scrubbers and wastewater treatment plants.
Sustainability A core component of sustainable development as it addresses the root cause.
Reduces immediate impact but may not be sustainable long-term.
Environment Policies and Regulations to Encourage Pollution Prevention
Indian regulations use a mix of standards, incentives, and penalties to encourage pollution
prevention.
Strict Standards: The Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, prohibits discharging pollutants in excess
of prescribed standards and empowers the government to close non-compliant industries.
Economic and Fiscal Incentives: The government offers tax rebates, accelerated depreciation for
pollution control equipment, and reduced customs duties on clean technologies.
Mandatory Permits: Industries must obtain a "Consent to Establish" and "Consent to Operate" with
strict monitoring criteria. An Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is a prerequisite for new
projects to ensure pollution is anticipated and prevented.
Location Restrictions: High-polluting industries must maintain mandatory distances from sensitive
areas like residential zones and water bodies.
Penalties and Enforcement: Severe penalties include fines, imprisonment, and daily fines for
continuing violations.
Environment-Friendly Chemical Processes (Green Chemistry)
Environmentally friendly chemical processes are known as Green Chemistry. This is the design of
chemical products and processes that reduce or eliminate the generation of hazardous substances.
The 12 Principles of Green Chemistry are:
1. Prevent waste.
2. Maximize atom economy (ensure starting materials become part of the final product).
3. Design less hazardous chemical syntheses.
4. Design safer chemicals and products.
5. Use safer solvents and reaction conditions.
6. Increase energy efficiency by running reactions at room temperature and pressure where
possible.
7. Use renewable feedstocks (e.g., agricultural products) instead of depletable ones.
8. Avoid chemical derivatives to reduce steps and waste.
9. Use catalysts instead of stoichiometric reagents to minimize waste.
10. Design chemicals to degrade after use so they don't accumulate in the environment.
11. Analyze in real-time to prevent pollution during production.
12. Minimize the potential for accidents like explosions or fires.
Legal Aspects and Implications for Industries
India has a comprehensive framework of environmental laws enforced by national, state, and local
bodies.
Key Environmental Laws:
- The Environment (Protection) Act, 1986: An umbrella act that empowers the central government
to regulate all forms of pollution.
- The Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981: Aims to prevent and control air pollution.
- The Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974: Focuses on preventing and controlling
water pollution.
- Hazardous Waste Management Rules, 2016: Governs the storage, transport, and disposal of
hazardous industrial waste.
Regulatory Bodies:
- Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change (MOEFCC): The apex policy-making body.
- Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB): Sets national standards for pollution and coordinates with
states.
- State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs): Implement environmental laws at the state level and
issue consents to industries.
- National Green Tribunal (NGT): A judicial body that adjudicates environmental disputes.
Implications for Industries:
Environmental regulations present both challenges and opportunities for businesses.
Challenges:
- Increased Costs: Expenses for installing pollution control equipment and adopting cleaner
technologies.
- Compliance Complexity: Navigating the various laws and permits can be complex, especially for
small and medium-sized enterprises.
Opportunities:
- Innovation: Regulations drive the development and adoption of cleaner, green technologies.
- Enhanced Competitiveness: Businesses that address environmental concerns can improve their
reputation and attract environmentally conscious customers.
- Sustainable Growth: Adopting sustainable practices can enhance the long-term viability of
industries and conserve natural resources.
