Sustainable Engineering
Module 1 Part 3
S3 ECE
Nexus between Technology and
sustainable development
Technological innovation is a ‘double-edged sword’
Technology improves quality of life, eliminate diseases, and
increase life expectancy
On the other hand, technology creates irreparable environmental
damages due to resource extraction and pollution of air, water and
soil
Technological changes would be necessary to counteract the
environmental damage caused by increases in production and
consumption
The power of technology should drive the development of the
human society
Sustainable Engineering , S3 ECE, RSET
Nexus between Technology and
sustainable development
Technology should
Improve education standards
Should enable long-term perception and data analysis
provide alternatives if a resource is getting depleted
provide alternative production processes, process inputs and
products so that they cause less or no harm to the environment
enable us to develop ways to use and reuse resources in the
most efficient manner and minimize waste
enable us to neutralize/reduce the toxicity of waste through
proper treatment
help us make processes more energy-efficient
Sustainable Engineering , S3 ECE, RSET
Nexus between Technology and
sustainable development
Technological applications towards sustainability in various
sectors
Sustainable agriculture
Mixed farming
Integrated pest management
Sustainable energy
Renewable energy sources
Energy efficient systems
Environmental applications
Plastic recycling
Sustainable Engineering , S3 ECE, RSET
What can we do towards sustainability
as an engineer?
Sustainable Engineering , S3 ECE, RSET
What can we do towards sustainability
as an engineer?
Can it be made of reusable materials?
How much energy will it use?
Can it be powered by solar cells?
Will it be able to be recycled at the end of its useful life?
Will it have parts that contain toxic metals that must be
disposed of?
Multilateral environmental agreements
and protocols
Most of the environmental problems are transboundary in nature and
has a global scope
International cooperation is necessary in addressing such problems
effectively
Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEA)
International agreements between three or more countries mostly
initiated by United Nations on how to jointly address the
environmental problems of cross border nature
Key features
Specific aim to address one or several clearly defined environmental
problems with often secondary objectives on development
Governed by international law
Eg: Kyoto protocol, Montreal protocol, Agenda 21
Sustainable Engineering , S3 ECE, RSET
Scope of MEAs
Core MEAs are divided into five categories
1. Biodiversity
2. Land
3. Marine environment
4. Atmosphere
5. Chemical and Hazardous
waste
Sustainable Engineering , S3 ECE, RSET
Scope of MEAs
1. Biodiversity
Protection of biodiversity is relevant for pollution
management and efficient use of resources
‘Cleaner Production’ is the strategy for minimising
pollution
Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) -1992
2. Land
Every year large portion of productive land is turned
into deserts globally due to poor use of land and
over exploitation of the land
UN Convention on Combating Desertification
(UNCCD) focus on use and protection of land
Sustainable Engineering , S3 ECE, RSET
Scope of MEAs
3. Marine environment
17 regional sea conventions and action plans :
multi-sectoral agreements incorporating the
precautionary principle and high-priority aim to prevent
and eliminate pollution of a respective sea
Global Programme of Action for the Protection of the Marine
Environment from Land-Based Activities (GPA) :
Conceptual and practical guidance for protection of
marine environment from land-based sources of pollution
Sustainable Engineering , S3 ECE, RSET
Scope of MEAs
4. Atmosphere
Vienna Convention (1985) : Protection of the ozone layer
Montreal protocol (1987) :
Phasing out the production of substances that deplete the ozone
layer, mainly CFCs
Protocol targets reduction of 96 chemicals
Eg: 100% reduction of CFCs by 1996 for developed countries and
by 2010 for developing countries
UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) (1994)
Climate system is a shared resource whose stability can be
affected by global warming
Made an overall framework for intergovernmental efforts to
tackle the challenges posed by climate change
Sustainable Engineering , S3 ECE, RSET
Scope of MEAs
Kyoto protocol (1997):
Important agreement between many countries to work for
lessening global warming
To reduce the greenhouse gases (GHG)
First addition to UNFCCC
Targets apply to CO2, CH4, N2O, SF6, hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs)
and perfluorocarbons (PFCs)
192 countries
Annex 1 countries : Developed countries
Emissions reduction commitments (greenhouse gas emission
caps) are set for each annex-1 country
Non Annex 1 countries : Developing countries
Does not have emission caps
Sustainable Engineering , S3 ECE, RSET
Scope of MEAs: Kyoto protocol (1997):
Three flexible mechanisms
International emission trading (IET)
Joint Implementation (JI) Project-based
Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) mechanisms
International emission trading (IET)
Allows countries that have emission units to spare - emissions
permitted them but not "used" - to sell this excess capacity to
countries that are over their targets.
Economic value on green house emissions
Joint Implementation (JI)
Any Annex I country can invest in a project to reduce greenhouse gas
emissions in any other Annex I country (referred to as a "Joint
Implementation Project") as an alternative to reducing emissions
domestically
Sustainable Engineering , S3 ECE, RSET
Scope of MEAs
Clean Development Mechanism (CDM)
Allows annex-1 countries to fund greenhouse gas emissions-
reducing projects in non-annex 1 countries and claim the saved
emissions as part of their own efforts to meet international
emissions targets
Main objectives are:
To take effective steps in taking preventive measures against climate
change
To assist non-Annex I countries achieve sustainable development and
reduce their GHG emissions
To assist Annex I countries in achieving compliance with their
emission caps
CDM executive board under UNFCCC supervises CDM projects
Sustainable Engineering , S3 ECE, RSET
Scope of MEAs
CDM projects generate Certified Emission Reductions
(CER) units
One CER is equivalent to one tonne of CO2 or its
equivalent GHG per year
CDM executive board certifies CDM projects with CER
units
India signed Kyoto Protocol in 2002
India is a Non - annex 1 country
No strict emission caps
Can participate in CDM projects
around 20% of the CDM projects
National Clean Development Mechanism (CDM)
Authority
Sustainable Engineering , S3 ECE, RSET
Scope of MEAs
5. Chemical and Hazardous waste
Basel Convention (1992)
Control of transboundary movements of hazardous wastes and their
disposal
Rotterdam Convention (1998)
Prior informed consent for certain hazardous chemicals and pesticides in
international trades
Stockholm Convention (2001)
Elimination or restriction of production and use of all intentionally
produced Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) (some organic industrial
chemicals and pesticides)
Organic compounds that are resistant to environmental degradation and
adversely affect human health and the environment around the world
Minamata convention on Mercury (2013)
to protect human health and the environment from anthropogenic
emissions and releases of mercury and mercury compounds. Sustainable Engineering , S3 ECE, RSET
Environmental Legislations in India
❑ The Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981
❑ The Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974
❑ The Environment (Protection) Act, 1986
❑ The wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972
❑ The Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980
The Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981
Enacted to implement decisions of the 1972 Stockholm conference
Central and State pollution control boards constituted to
plan and execute programs for prevention, control and abatement of air
pollution
lay down standards for air quality
Stipulates that industrial units should not be established or
operated without the consent of the Pollution Control Board
Has provision for ensuring automobile emission standards
Sustainable Engineering , S3 ECE, RSET
Environmental Legislations in India
The Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974
Enacted to implement decisions of the 1972 Stockholm conference
Constituted Central and State pollution control boards
planning, coordination and execution of programs for
prevention, control and abatement of water pollution
laying down standards for water quality
lay down standards for effluents and their treatment
inspection of sewage and trade effluents
inspection of effluent treatment plants
The Act prohibits
causing or permitting entry into soil or water bodies
any poisonous, noxious or polluting matter
any matter that may impede the flow of water in a stream
establishment of any industry/trade that is likely to discharge
pollutants into water bodies
Environmental Legislations in India
The Environment (Protection) Act, 1986
Enacted after the Bhopal gas tragedy of 1984 to implement decisions of the 1972
Stockholm conference
Empowers the central government to
make rules to regulate environment pollution
lay down limits for pollutants in air, water and land
restrict/prohibit handling of hazardous materials
carry out inspection of manufacturing processes and materials used to
assess their potential environmental hazard
set up environmental laboratories
sponsor research in the area of environmental protection
Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for developmental projects to get
clearance from government before their establishment
E-Waste (Management) Rules 2016, as amended in 2018 (E-Waste Rules);
Bio-Medical Waste Management Rules 2016;
Plastic Waste Management Rules 2016;
Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016;
Millennium Development Goals (MDGs)
Sustainable Engineering , S3 ECE, RSET
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
Sustainable Engineering , S3 ECE, RSET
