ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AND MANAGEMENT 18CV753

Module -1

Environmental Management Standards: Unique Characteristics of Environmental Problems -

Systems approach to Corporate Environmental Management - Classification of
Environmental Impact Reduction Efforts - Business Charter for Sustainable Production and
Consumption – Tools, Business strategy drivers and Barriers - Evolution of Environmental
Stewardship. Environmental Management Principles - National policies on environment,
abatement of pollution and conservation of resources - Charter on Corporate responsibility
for Environmental protection.

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Environmental Management Standards:

The family of standards defined in ISO 14000 ff (family of standards related to
environmental management) sets standards for many more aspects of the environmental
impact of a company. ISO 14001, for example, defines how an Environmental Management
System should be set up.

These standards define how environmental management systems are supposed to work,
and they serve 3 goals:

1. Minimize the impact that company operations have on the environment

2. Standardize compliance for laws, regulations and public requirements
3. Continuously improve these aspects

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ISO 14000 ff norms: Overview

The ISO 14000 norm family is structured into the following norms:

These norms are:

ISO 14001
This norm defines how an Environmental Management System needs to be set up

ISO 14020-14025
Define how environmental information gets published – through labeling, reporting or
Environmental Product Declarations

ISO 14040 / 14044

Defines how Life Cycle Assessments are conducted

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Unique Characteristics of Environmental Problems:

Our environment faces several problems and many of these seem to be worsening with
time, bringing us into a time of a true environmental crisis. It is therefore becoming
increasingly important to raise awareness of the existence of these issues, as well as what can
be done to reduce their negative impact.

Our environment is constantly changing. There is no denying that fact. However, as our
environment changes, so does the need to become increasingly aware of the problems that
surround it. With a massive influx of natural disasters, warming and cooling periods, different
types of weather patterns and much more, people need to be aware of what types of
environmental problems our planet is facing.

Global warming has become an undisputed fact about our current livelihoods; our planet is
warming up and we are definitely part of the problem. However, this isn‟t the only
environmental problem that we should be concerned about. All across the world, people are
facing a wealth of new and challenging environmental problems every day. Some of them are
small and only affect a few ecosystems, but others are drastically changing the landscape of
what we already know.

“The Earth will not continue to offer its harvest, except with faithful stewardship. We
cannot say we love the land and then take steps to destroy it for use by future
generations.” - John Paul II

“Environmental issues are defined as problems with the planet‟s systems (air, water, soil,
etc.) that have developed as a result of human interference or mistreatment of the planet.” –
Dictionary.

Our planet is poised on the brink of a severe environmental crisis. Current

environmental problems make us vulnerable to disasters and tragedies, now and in the future.

We are in a state of planetary emergency, with environmental problems piling up high around
us. Unless we address the various issues prudently and seriously, we are surely doomed for
disaster. Current environmental problems also require urgent attention.

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20 Major Current Environmental Problems

1. Pollution
There are 7 key types of pollution – air, water, soil, noise, radioactive, light and thermal and
these are primary causes that affect our environment in many ways. All these types of
pollution are interlinked and influence each other. Therefore we need to tackle all of them
together.

Pollution of air, water and soil requires millions of years to recoup. Industry and motor
vehicle exhaust are the number one pollutants. Heavy metals, nitrates and plastic are toxins
responsible for pollution.

While water pollution is caused by oil spill, acid rain, urban runoff, air pollution is caused by
various gases and toxins released by industries and factories and combustion of fossil fuels;
soil pollution is majorly caused by industrial waste that deprives soil from essential nutrients.

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2. Soil Degradation
Globally, food security depends on the factor whether or not soils are in good condition to
produce crops. According to UN estimates, about 12 million hectares of farmland a year get
seriously degraded.

Soils get damaged due to many reasons. Such reasons include erosion, overgrazing,
overexposure to pollutants, monoculture planting, soil compaction, land-use conversion and
many more.

Nowadays, a wide range of techniques of soil conservation and restoration exist, from no-till
agriculture to crop rotation to water-retention through terrace-building.

3. Global Warming
Climate changes like global warming are the result of human practices like the emission of
greenhouse gases. Global warming leads to rising temperatures of the oceans and the earth‟
surface causing natural disasters that include flooding, melting of polar ice caps, rise in sea
levels and also unnatural patterns of precipitation such as flash floods, hurricanes, wildfires,
drought, excessive snow or desertification.

“We already have the statistics for the future: the growth percentages of pollution,
overpopulation, and desertification. The future is already in place.” – Gunther Grass

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4. Overpopulation
The population of the planet is reaching unsustainable levels as it faces a shortage of
resources like water, fuel and food. Population explosion in less developed and developing
countries is straining the already scarce resources.

Intensive agriculture practiced to produce food damages the environment through the use of
chemical fertilizer, pesticides and insecticides. Overpopulation is also one of the crucial
current environmental problems.

5. Natural Resource Depletion

Another crucial current environmental problem is the depletion of Natural resources. We,
humans, use so many natural resources that it would need almost 1.5 Earths to cover all our
needs.

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This will further increase in the future due to massive industrialization in Asian countries like
India and China. Increased use of natural resources leads to a number of other environmental
issues, such as industrialization, population growth and air pollution.

Over time, natural resource depletion will lead to an energy crisis. The chemicals emitted
from many natural resources contribute to climate change. Fossil fuel consumption results in
the emission of greenhouse gases, which is primarily responsible for global warming and
climate change.

Globally, people are making efforts to shift to renewable sources of energy like solar, wind,
biogas and geothermal energy. As such, the cost of installing the infrastructure and
maintaining these sources has plummeted in recent years.

6. Generating Unsustainable Waste

The huge production of waste due to our hyper consumption is a major threat to the
environment. As per the study, the average person produces 2 kgs of waste per day, and the
US alone accounting for 220 million tons a year.

This hyper consumption results in non-biodegradable trash in the form of plastic packaging,
toxic e-waste, and harmful chemicals that leach into our waterways.

When this waste ends up in landfills, it generates enormous amounts of methane, which ranks
as one of the worst greenhouse gases because of its high potential for global warming. It
creates severe explosion hazards.

Since modern technology allows us to access digital environments, many things that you need
can be fulfilled in the cloud. Consider your purchases carefully.

7. Waste Disposal
The overconsumption of resources and the creation of plastics are creating a global crisis of
waste disposal. Developed countries are notorious for producing an excessive amount of
waste or garbage and dumping their waste in the oceans and less developed countries.

Nuclear waste disposal has tremendous health hazards associated with it. Plastic, fast food,
packaging and cheap electronic wastes threaten the well being of humans. Waste disposal is,
therefore, one of the urgent current environmental problems.

8. Deforestation
Our forests are natural sinks of carbon dioxide and produce fresh oxygen, as well as helps in
regulating temperature and rainfall. At present, forests cover 30% of the land, but every year
tree cover is lost, amounting to the country of Panama due to the growing population demand
for more food, shelter and cloth. Deforestation simply means clearing of green cover and
makes that land available for residential, industrial or commercial purposes.

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9. Polar Ice Caps

The issue of the melting of polar ice caps is a contentious one. Although NASA studies have
shown that the amount of ice in Antarctica is increasing, however, this increase is only one-
third of what is being lost in the Arctic.

There is enough evidence that shows sea levels are rising, and the melting of Arctic ice caps
is a major contributor. Over time, the melting of polar ice caps could lead to extensive
flooding, contamination of drinking water and major changes in ecosystems.

10. Loss of Biodiversity

Human activity is leading to the extinction of species and habitats and loss of biodiversity.
Ecosystems, which took millions of years to perfect, are in danger when any species
population is decimating.

Balance of natural processes like pollination is crucial to the survival of the ecosystem, and
human activity threatens the same. Another example is the destruction of coral reefs in the
various oceans, which support the rich marine life.

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11. Climate Change

Climate change is yet another environmental problem that has surfaced in the last couple of
decades. It occurs due to the rise in global warming, which happens due to the increase in
temperature of the atmosphere by burning fossil fuels and the release of harmful gases by
industries.

Climate change has various harmful effects but not limited to the melting of polar ice, change
in seasons, occurrence of new diseases, frequent occurrence of floods and change in overall
weather scenario.

12. Ocean Acidification

It is a direct impact of excessive production of CO2. 25% of total atmospheric CO2 is
produced by humans. The ocean acidity has increased by the last 250 years, but by 2100, it
may shoot up by 150%. The main impact is on shellfish and plankton in the same way as
human osteoporosis.

13. The Nitrogen Cycle

We often ignore the effects of the use of nitrogen by humans. Nitrogen is a crucial
component of all life. Problems occur when the nitrogen cycle is not balanced.

A process through which it is converted or „fixed‟ to a more usable form is called fixation.
The fixation happens biologically and through lightning, or it can be done Industrially.
People have learned to convert nitrogen gas to ammonia (NH3-) and fertilizers that are
nitrogen-rich to supplement the amount of nitrogen fixed naturally.

It is estimated that agriculture may be responsible for about 50% of the nitrogen fixation on
earth through the cultivation of nitrogen-fixing crops and the production of human-made
fertilizers. When nitrogen is used more than plant demand, it can leach from soils into
waterways and contributes to eutrophication.

Excess levels of nitrogen in water can hamper marine ecosystems, through overstimulation of
plant and algae growth. This blocks the light from getting into deeper waters, thus damaging
the rest of the marine population.

The problem can also occur during nitrification and denitrification. Nitrous oxide (N2O) can
be formed when the chemical process is not completed. N2O is a potent greenhouse gas
contributing to global warming.

14. Ozone Layer Depletion

The ozone layer is an invisible layer of protection around the planet that protects us from the
sun‟s harmful rays. The depletion of the crucial Ozone layer of the atmosphere is attributed to
pollution caused by Chlorine and Bromide found in Chloro-fluoro carbons (CFCs). Once

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these toxic gases reach the upper atmosphere, they create a hole in the ozone layer, the
biggest of which is above the Antarctic.

CFCs are banned in many industries and consumer products. The ozone layer is valuable
because it prevents harmful UV radiation from reaching the earth. This is one of the most
important current environmental problems.

15. Acid Rain

Acid rain occurs due to the presence of certain pollutants in the atmosphere. Acid rain can be
caused due to combustion of fossil fuels or erupting volcanoes or rotting vegetation which
releases sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide into the atmosphere.

Acid rain is a known environmental problem that can have a serious effect on human health,
wildlife and aquatic species.

16. Water Pollution

Clean drinking water is becoming a rare commodity. Water is becoming an economic and
political issue as the human population fights for this resource.

One of the options suggested is using the process of desalinization. Industrial development is
filling our rivers, seas and oceans with toxic pollutants, which are a major threat to human
health.

17. Overfishing
Overfishing affects natural ecosystems severely and leads to an imbalance of ocean life.
Around 63% of global fish stocks are estimated to be overfished. Overfishing caused fishing
fleets to migrate to new waters that would further deplete the fish stocks.

Moreover, it has negative effects on coastal communities that rely on fishing to support their
living.

18. Urban Sprawl

Urban sprawl refers to the migration of population from high-density urban areas to low-
density rural areas, which results in the spreading of the city over more and more rural land.

Urban sprawl results in land degradation, increased traffic, environmental issues and health
issues. The ever-growing demand for land displaces the natural environment consisting of
flora and fauna, instead of being replaced.

19. Public Health Issues

The current environmental problems pose a lot of risk to the health of humans and animals.
Dirty water is the biggest health risk in the world and poses a threat to the quality of life and
public health.

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Runoff to rivers carries with it toxins, chemicals and disease-carrying organisms. Pollutants
cause respiratory diseases like Asthma and cardiac-vascular problems. High temperatures
encourage the spread of infectious diseases like Dengue.

20. Genetic Engineering

Genetic modification of food using biotechnology is called genetic engineering. Genetic
modification of food results in increased toxins and diseases as genes from an allergic plant
can transfer to the target plant. Genetically modified crops can cause serious environmental
problems as an engineered gene may prove toxic to wildlife.

Another drawback is that increased use of toxins to make insect resistant plants can cause
resultant organisms to become resistant to antibiotics.

The need for change in our daily lives and the movements of our government is growing.
Since so many different factors come into play, such as voting, governmental issues, the
desire to stick to a routine, many people don‟t consider that what they do will affect future
generations.

If humans continue moving forward in such a harmful way towards the future, then there will
be no future to consider. Although it‟s a fact that we cannot physically stop our ozone layer
from thinning (and scientists are still having trouble figuring out what is causing it exactly),
there are still so many things we can do to try and put a dent in what we already know.

By raising awareness in your local community and within your families about these issues,
you can help contribute to a more environmentally conscious and friendly place for you and
your future generations to live.

Source:
https://www.conserve-energy-future.com/15-current-environmental-problems.php

These Environmental problems are often multi-faceted and complex by nature, consisting of
diverse, intertwined dimensions. Environmental problem characteristics have consequences
for the selection of appropriate governance modes, and finally on policy effectiveness. Three
key environmental problem characteristics: uncertainties, cause–effect mismatches and
norm plurality.

What does environmental uncertainty mean?

Environmental uncertainty refers to the perceived lack of information about key
dimensions of the environment determining a company's performance, such as the
unpredictability of the environment, the inability to predict the impacts of environmental
change, and the consequences of a response choice.

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Three types of perceived uncertainty about the environment: State, effect, and response uncertainty.

Environmental uncertainty has two different dimensions: environmental complexity (heterogeneity)

and environmental variability (dynamism). Environmental uncertainty is when conditions are
constantly changing within a business environment.

Some of the factors which may cause uncertainty in the external business environment
are inadequate needs of customers, technological changes, regulations and elimination of
foreign barriers which may hinder trade.

How do you deal with environmental uncertainty?

To minimize the chance of an unpredictable setback in an uncertain environment,
companies might need to make some changes to their typical strategies.
1. Simplify. The more external factors business owners must attend to, the greater the
uncertainty they face.
2. Diversify.
3. Avoid Aggressive Strategies.
4. Considerations.

What is environmental pluralism?

In issues pertaining to environmental ethics, the environmental pragmatists accept
multiple values. They thus take a position of moral pluralism. Moral pluralism is the view
that acknowledges the existence of multiple values.

What are the 3 main environmental problem categories?

Environmental problems can generally be grouped into three categories:
 Resource Depletion.
 Pollution.
 Loss of Biodiversity.

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Systems approach to corporate environmental management

https://www.researchgate.net/figure/The-Corporate-Environmental-Management-
Model_fig1_337552169

Additional reading:
https://www.slideshare.net/gauravhtandon1/corporate-environment-management-
strategies

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Classification of Environmental Impact Reduction Efforts

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Business Charter for Sustainable Production and Consumption – Tools,

Business strategy drivers and Barriers

A corporate charter, also known as a "charter" or "articles of incorporation," is a

written document filed by the founders of a corporation. It details the major components of
a company, such as its objectives, structure, and planned operations.

The Business Charter for Sustainable Development has been specifically designed to help
companies contribute to the SDG implementation. Sustainable economic growth provides the
foundation and resources for societies to develop and prosper, and for people to meet their
needs and pursue their aspirations. It helps enable economic empowerment and poverty
eradication, advance environmental stewardship; and contribute to dealing with the trans-
boundary global challenges highlighted by the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

At the heart of economic growth are innovative, successful, and responsible businesses
operating within strong, forward-looking governance and policy frameworks.

Now more than ever, sustainable development depends on the solutions, capabilities,
contributions and engagement of business. ICC believes this entails:

 Innovation in all dimensions of sustainable development so as to develop more

integrated strategies, policy and decision-making.
 Leadership and collaboration to leverage the mutually-reinforcing and cross-cutting
elements of integrated policy-making.
 Integrated governance structures fostering greater policy coherence between
economic, environmental and development objectives.

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 Efforts by all actors to reconcile short-term pressures with longer-term strategies to

deal with the multiplicity of economic, societal, and environmental challenges and
opportunities in an integrated manner.
 Bottom up and top down actions pursued simultaneously by governments and
business in support of sustainable growth. A one-size-fits-all approach will not be
effective, nor will policies that work in silos.
 Multilateral and cross-cutting approaches across countries and sectors, which are
indispensable in the global marketplace.

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Sustainable Development Goals 12 (SDG12): Sustainable Consumption and

Production

The Challenge
Our planet is under massive strain. Should the global population push the figure of 9.6 billion
by 2050, we will need three Earths to sustain current lifestyles for everyone. Each year, an
estimated one-third of all food produced – equivalent to 1.3 billion tonnes worth around USD
1 trillion – ends up rotting in the bins of consumers and retailers, or spoiling due to poor
transportation and harvesting practices. More than one billion people still do not have access
to fresh water. Less than 3% of the world‟s water is fresh (drinkable), of which 2.5% is
frozen in Antarctica, the Arctic and glaciers. Humanity must therefore rely on 0.5% for all
man‟s ecosystems and fresh water needs. Despite technological advances that have promoted
energy efficiency gains, energy use in OECD countries will increase a further 35% by 2020.

Why is this important?

Sustainable consumption and production aims at “doing more and better with less,”
increasing net welfare gains from economic activities by reducing resource use, degradation,
and pollution, while increasing the quality of life. Sustainable development will be achieved
not only by growing our economies, but minimising waste in the process of doing so. Growth
that contaminates the environment sets development back.

How can we address this?

Sustainable consumption and production is about promoting resource and energy
efficiency, sustainable infrastructure, and providing access to basic services, green and
decent jobs and a better quality of life for all. Its implementation helps to achieve overall
development plans, reduce future economic, environmental and social costs, strengthen
economic competitiveness and reduce poverty. It also requires a systemic approach and co-

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operation among actors operating in the supply chain, from producer to final consumer. It
involves engaging consumers through awareness-raising and education on sustainable
consumption and lifestyles, providing consumers with adequate information through
standards and labelling and engagement in sustainable public procurement. This will involve
a new global partnership between business, consumers, policy makers, researchers, scientists,
retailers, the media, and development co-operation agencies.

India and Goal 12

The issue of resource use is vital for the country. While the country is home to 18% of the
world‟s population, it has only 4% of global water resources. The generation of waste and
pollutants also poses a challenge. Only 19.9% of India‟s urban waste is processed. India is the
third highest emitter of carbon-dioxide and is responsible for 6.9% of global emissions.
However, in October 2015, India made a commitment to reduce the emissions intensity of its
GDP by 20-25% from its 2005 levels by 2020 and by 33-35% by 2030. On 2 October 2016
India formally ratified the historic Paris Agreement. The National Policy on Biofuels and
the National Clean Energy Fund are some of the government‟s flagship schemes aimed at
achieving sustainable consumption and production, and managing the efficient use of
natural resources.

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Targets
 Implement the 10-year framework of programmes on sustainable consumption and
production, all countries taking action, with developed countries taking the lead, taking into
account the development and capabilities of developing countries.
 By 2030, achieve the sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources.
 By 2030, halve per capita global food waste at the retail and consumer levels and reduce food
losses along production and supply chains, including post-harvest losses.
 By 2020, achieve the environmentally sound management of chemicals and all wastes
throughout their life cycle, in accordance with agreed international frameworks, and
significantly reduce their release to air, water and soil in order to minimise their adverse
impacts on human health and the environment.
 By 2030, substantially reduce waste generation through prevention, reduction, recycling and
reuse.
 Encourage companies, especially large and transnational companies, to adopt sustainable
practices and to integrate sustainability information into their reporting cycle.
 Promote public procurement practices that are sustainable, in accordance with national
policies and priorities.
 By 2030, ensure that people everywhere have the relevant information and awareness for
sustainable development and lifestyles in harmony with nature.
 Support developing countries to strengthen their scientific and technological capacity to
move towards more sustainable patterns of consumption and production.
 Develop and implement tools to monitor sustainable development impacts for sustainable
tourism that creates jobs and promotes local culture and products.
 Rationalise inefficient fossil-fuel subsidies that encourage wasteful consumption by removing
market distortions, in accordance with national circumstances, including by restructuring
taxation and phasing out those harmful subsidies, where they exist, to reflect their
environmental impacts, taking fully into account the specific needs and conditions of
developing countries and minimising the possible adverse impacts on their development in a
manner that protects the poor and the affected communities.

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Six Key Drivers for Sustainable Development

Sustainable development, popularized by the Brundtland report, celebrated its 30th
anniversary in 2017. This oxymoron for some, or chimera for others, follows the line of the
UN reports: Our Common Crisis (Brandt report, 1980), Our Common Security (Palme report,
1982), and Our Common Future. In reports, sustainable development is often reduced to a set
of recommendations. If sustainable development is to embody a real paradigm shift, it must
be articulated around key drivers enshrined in the scientific community:
a) a focus on social and controversial issues,
b) a transdisciplinary approach with reasoning by complexity,
c) a methodology based on System Thinking,
d) an overlapping of 5 dimensions (environmental, social, economic, cultural and
governance) which are not always compatible with each other,
e) a redefinition of spatial and temporal scales,
f) a predominant place for values and principles likely to introduce a change in behaviour.
In the history of ideas and facts, thirty years are generally necessary to convince the scientific
community (observation and validation of facts) and bring about changes in ways of thinking.
The challenge is: will sustainable development remain in the form of good intentions or
embody a real change in life in society?

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Evolution of Environmental Stewardship

Aldo Leopold (1887–1949) championed environmental stewardship based on a land ethic

"dealing with man's relation to land and to the animals and plants which grow upon it."

Environmental stewardship can be defined as “the responsible use (including conservation)

of natural resources in a way that takes full and balanced account of the interests of society,
future generations, and other species, as well as of private needs, and accepts significant
answerability to society” (Worrell & Appleby, 2000, p. 263).

Environmental stewardship: The responsible use and protection of the natural

environment through conservation and sustainable practices to enhance ecosystem
resilience and human well-being (Chapin et al, 2011).

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The topic of stewardship entered public consciousness in the middle of the last century in the
works of writers such as Aldo Leopard (A Sand Country Almanac), Garret Hardin (The
Tragedy of the Commons), and Rachel Carson (Silent Spring). Building on this growing
consciousness, the concept of sustainability and sustainable development was introduced.

One of the first commonly accepted definitions of sustainable development came from the
World Commission on Environment and Development, later renamed the Brundtland
Commission. It defined sustainable development as meeting “the needs of the present without
compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs” (Brundtland, 1987,
p. 41). Sustainable development differs from environmental stewardship in that it may
include aspects of social, economic and environmental sustainability, whereas
environmental stewardship focuses solely on the natural world.

A related concept is environmental management, where the natural resources of the

environment are managed through policies designed to protect natural values while providing
a framework for use. In tourism, this management may be the responsibility of many groups
including individual operators, tourism industry organizations, non-governmental
organizations, or government agencies (Mercer, 2004; Williams & Ponsford, 2008).

Experts around the world agree that the need for stewardship has never been greater, as there
exists overwhelming evidence that the environment is being irrevocably damaged by human
actions. Climate change caused by increased greenhouse gas emissions (World Tourism
Organization, 2008a) and the loss of biodiversity due to declining habitat loss are just
two compelling issues.

Glacier melting “full moon party” in Thailand, where bottles,

trash, and human waste litter the beach for
days afterward, and noise and light pollution
are common

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Environmental Management Principles

Basis and Principles of Environmental Management Systems

7 Basic Principles of Environmental Management

Environmental management refers to those activities which enhance beneficial links and
minimise adverse links among resources systems and their environments, and which seek to
attain desirable environmental system states, in response to community perceptions and
desires, under prevailing socioeconomic and technological conditions.

In particular, the goals of resources management are often single purpose, whereas those
of environmental management are invariably multi-purpose‟ this is because resources
management focuses only on its resource system while environmental management deals
with both resource system and their environments. Further, community needs and value are
fundamental to environmental management goal setting.

The Principles of Environmental Management:

These are some guiding principles of environmental management. These principles are
helpful in environmental decision making.

1. Polluter Pays Principle (PPP):

For the last two decades, many economists have suggested that firms discharging polluting
effluents to the environment should somehow be made to pay a price for such
discharges related to the amount of environmental damage caused.

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OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development) has suggested the
Polluter Pays principles (PPP) as a general basis for the environmental policy. It states that if
measures are adopted to reduce pollution, the costs should be borne by the polluters.
According to the OECD Council, “The principle to be used for allocating costs of pollution
prevention and control measures to encourage rational use of scarce environmental resources
and to avoid distortions in international trade and investment is the so-called Polluter Pays
Principle.” The essential concern of this principle is that polluters should bear the costs of
abatement without subsidy.

The Polluter Pays Principle, as interpreted by the Supreme Court of India, means that the
absolute liability for harm to the environment extends not only to compensate the victims of
pollution but also the cost of restoring the environmental degradation. Thus, it includes
environmental costs as well as direct costs to people or property. Remediation of the
damaged environment is part of the process of sustainable development and as such the
polluter is liable to pay the cost to the individual sufferers as well as the costs of reversing the
damaged ecology.

The application of this principle depends upon the interpretations, particular cases and
situations. This principle has brought more controversial discussions during the Rio Earth

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Summit 1992. The South has demanded more financial assistance from the North in
combating the environmental degradation in the South.

There are practical implications on the allocation of economic obligations in relation to

environmentally damaging activities, particularly in relation to liability and the use of
economic instruments.

2. The User Pays Principle (UPP):

It is considered as a part of the PPP. The principle states that all resource users should pay
for the full long-run marginal cost of the use of a resource and related services,
including any associated treatment costs. It is applied when resources are being used and
consumed.

3. The Precautionary Principle (PP):

The main objective of the precautionary principle is to ensure that a substance or
activity posing a threat to the environment is prevented from adversely affecting the
environment, even if there is no conclusive scientific proof of linking that particular
substance or activity to environmental damage. The words „substance‟ and „activity‟ are the
result of human intervention.

The Rio Declaration in its Principle 15 emphasizes on this principle, wherein it is provided
that where there are threats of serious or irreversible damage. Lack of full scientific certainty
shall not be used as a reason for postponing cost effective measures to prevent environmental
degradation. Therefore, the principle is essential for the protection of environment and human
health by implementing in the field of production and distribution of energy resources.

4. Principle of Effectiveness and Efficiency:

It is essential that efficiency of resources use may also be accomplished by the use of
policy instruments that create incentive to minimize wasteful use. It also applies to various
issues of environmental governance by streaming processes and procedures in order to
minimize environmental costs.

5. The Principle of Responsibility:

It is the responsibility of all persons, corporations and states to maintain the ecological
processes. Further, access to environmental resources carries attendant responsibilities to use
them in an ecological sustainable economically efficient and socially fair manner.

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6. The Principle of Participation:

It is the duty of all the persons to participate in collectively environmental decision
making activities. Some participation areas are related to the use of trees and other plants,
minerals, soils, fish and wildlife for purposes such as materials and food as well as for
consumptive and non-consumptive recreation. The second issue concerns solid waste i.e.
garbage, construction and demolition materials and chemically hazardous waste etc. The third
issue of participation is related to pollution generating activities.

7. The Principle of Proportionality:

The principle of proportionality is based on the concept of balance. A balance is to
maintain between the economic development on the one hand and environmental protection
on the other hand. It cannot be disputed that no development is possible without some
adverse effects on ecology. Therefore, it is essential to adjust the interest of the people as well
as the necessity to maintain the environment. Moreover, comparative hardships have to be
balanced and benefits to a larger section of the people have to be maintained.

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National policies on environment, abatement of pollution and conservation of resources

Environmental Policies:

The Ministry of Environment and Forests is primarily concerned with the implementation
of policies and programmes relating to conservation of the country‟s natural resources
including lakes and rivers, its bio-diversity, forests and wildlife, ensuring the welfare of
animals and prevention and abatement of pollution.

The broad objectives of the Ministry are:

 Conservation and survey of flora, fauna, forests and wildlife,

 Prevention and control of pollution,
 Afforestation and regeneration of degraded areas,
 Protection of the environment, and
 Ensuring the welfare of animals.

These objectives are well supported by a set of legislative and regulatory measures, aimed at
the preservation, conservation and protection of the environment. Besides the legislative
measures, a National Conservation Strategy and Policy Statement on Environment and
Development, 1992, National Forest Policy, 1988, a Policy Statement on Abatement of
Pollution, 1992 and a National Environment Policy, 2006 have also been evolved.

During the 11th Five-Year Plan, the National Environment Policies stated objectives and
principles are to be realized through concrete actions in different areas relating to the key
environmental challenges faced. These challenges are intrinsically connected with the state of
environmental resources, such as, land, water, air and the flora & fauna. The drivers of
environmental degradation are population growth, inappropriate technology and consumption
choices, intensive agriculture, accelerated industrial and urbanization. A large number of
actions/schemes are currently underway and in place during the 9th and 10th Five-year plans.
Some new schemes would need to be prepared and implemented during the 11th plan.

The Working Group on Environment and Environmental Regulatory Mechanisms for the
Environment and Forest sector for the 11th Five Year Plan set up Six sub groups to examine
and recommend possible strategies and approaches. A sub group was set up for each of the
thematic areas: Air pollution, Water pollution, Land degradation, Solid Waste
Management, International Cooperation and Regulatory Regimes.

The reports of the respective Sub- Groups have been integrated and presented under the
caption Environmental Policy, Regulatory Mechanism and Assessment, International and
Bilateral Agreement, initiatives and achievements, schemes and programmes and
recommendations in this reports.

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The following framework already exists for environmental conservation, protection and
sustainable development, which is elaborated in the policies, regulations and programmes of
the Ministry of Environment and Forests.

The National Environment Policy:

The National Environment Policy seeks to extend the coverage and fill in gaps that still exist,
in the light of present knowledge and accumulated experience. It does not displace, but builds
on the earlier policies.

The National Environment Policy, 2006 (NEP) enunciates the following key principles: -

i. Human Beings are at the Centre of Sustainable Development Concerns: -

Human beings are at the centre of the concerns for sustainable development. They
are entitled to a healthy and productive life in harmony with nature.
ii. The Right to Development: The right to development must be fulfilled, so as to
equitably meet developmental and environmental needs of the present and future
generations.
iii. Environmental Protection is an Integral part of the Development Process: In
order to achieve sustainable development, environmental protection shall
constitute an integral part of the development process and cannot be considered in
isolation from it.
iv. The Precautionary Approach: Where there are credible threats of serious or
irreversible damage to key environmental resources, lack of full scientific
certainty shall not be used as a reason for postponing cost-effective measures to
prevent environmental degradation.
v. Economic Efficiency: In various public actions for environmental conservation,
economic efficiency would be sought to be realized. This Principle requires that
the services of environmental resources be given economic value, and such value
to count equally with the economic values of other goods and services, in the
analysis of alternative courses of action.

Further, the NEP states the following in respect of the thematic areas of air, water and solid
waste management and land degradation

1. The primary efforts during the Eleventh five year plan period will be to develop science
based air quality management system and strengthen regulatory, institutional and
enforcement mechanisms with adequate resources and skilled human power to achieve
the clean air target as defined by the National Ambient Air Quality Standards.
2. Although the rivers possess significant natural capacity to assimilate and render harmless
many pollutants, the existing pollution inflows in many cases substantially exceed such
natural capacities. Pollution loads are similarly linked to pricing policies leading to
inefficient use of agricultural chemicals and municipal and industrial water use.

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3. Management of industrial and municipal wastes is the major cause of soil pollution and
is a serious challenge in terms of magnitude and resources required.
4. If the fundamental basis of livelihoods for the vast majority of our people is not to be
irreparably damaged, it is essential that the relevant fiscal, tariffs, and sectoral policies
take explicit account of their impacts on land degradation,
5. India is committed to making a positive contribution to international efforts and to
stimulate partnership of different stakeholders including the investment community and
international development partnerships in harnessing their respective resources and
strength for environmental management.

Other Policies

 The “Policy Statement for abatement of pollution, 1992” and “National

Conservation Strategy and the Policy Statement on Environment &
Development, 1992” emphasizes pollution prevention / abatement, and promotion of
cleaner technologies to reduce industrial pollutants.

 The National Water Policy, 2002 contains provisions for developing, conserving,
sustainable utilization and management of important water resources and the need to
be governed by national perspectives.

The proximate causes of land degradation are driven by implicit and explicit subsidies for
water, power, fertilizer and pesticides. Grazing lands are usually common property resources,
and insufficient empowerment of local institutions for their management leads to
overexploitation of the biomass base. The absence of conducive policies and persistence of
certain regulatory practices reduce people‟s incentives for afforestation, and leads to reduced
levels of green cover.

Regulatory Mechanism and Assessment

The present legislative framework is broadly contained in the umbrella

 Environment (Protection) Act, 1986;

 Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974;
 Water Cess Act, 1977; and
 Air (Prevention Control of Pollution) Act, 1981.

The law in respect of management of forests and bio-diversity is contained in the

 Indian Forest Act, 1927;
 Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980;
 Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 and
 Bio-diversity Act, 2002.

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The Environment Protection Act empowers the Government to set national standards for
ambient environmental quality and controlling discharges to regulate industrial locations, to
prescribe procedure for hazardous substance management and to collect and disseminate
information regarding environmental pollution.

The Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 as amended deals
comprehensively with water issues. It empowers the Government to constitute Pollution
Control Boards to maintain the wholesomeness of national water bodies. It provides for a
“Consent” procedure to prevent and control water pollution and empowers State Boards to
monitor compliance.

Water Cess Act, 1977 was adopted to strengthen the Pollution Control Boards financially, to
promote water conservation. This Act empowers the Central Government to impose a Cess
on water abstracted from natural resources by industries and local authorities.

The following rules under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 further complement
the provisions under the Act: -

 The Environment (Protection) Rules, 1986

 The Manufacture, Storage and import of Hazardous Chemical Rules, 1989 amended
2000
 The Hazardous Wastes (Management & Handling) Rules, 1989 amended 2000, 2003
 The Manufacture, Use, Import, Export and Storage of Hazardous micro-organisms
Genetically engineered organisms or cells Rules, 1989
 The Chemical Accidents (Emergency Planning, Preparedness and Response) Rules,
1996
 The Bio – Medical Waste (Management and Handling) Rules, 1998 as amended 2000
and 2003.
 The Ozone Depleting Substances (Regulation) Control Rules, 2000

The review of the current regulatory framework reveals some inadequacies that may
undermine effective environmental management and planning. Cross cutting nature of
various issues, inter ministerial jurisdiction and lack of unified authority to deal with
environmental management for all pollution sources impedes holistic planning and
enforcement of standards.

The major activities initiated under the various schemes on pollution abatement are briefly
summarized below:
i. Central Pollution Control Board
ii. Industrial Pollution Abatement through Preventive Strategies
iii. Establishment of Environment Protection Authorities and Environment Commission
and Tribunal

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Under this programme, Authorities have been constituted as per various orders of Hon‟ble
Supreme Court for environmental compliance and enforcement of various activities. Three
Authorities namely; ƒ

 National Environmental Appellate Authority (NEAA) under National

Environment Appellate Authority Act, 1977 to hear appeal with respect to industries,
operations or processes;
 Loss of Ecology (Prevention and Payment of Compensation) Authority for the
State of Tamil Nadu to deal with pollution created by the tanneries and other polluting
industries in Tamil Nadu; ƒ
 Environment Pollution (Prevention and Control) Authority (EPCA) for the
National Capital Region for compliance relating to environmental standards, emission
or discharge of pollutants, steps to control vehicular pollution, restriction of industries
etc.

(iv) Assistance for Abatement of Pollution and Environment Policy & Law
(v) Clean Technology
(vi) Creation of Management Structure for Management Substances
(vii) Environmental Impact Assessment
(viii) Common Effluent Treatment Plant (CETP)
(ix) Taj Protection Mission

The following forests and land protection laws are in force in the Country:

 Easement Act, 1884;

 Land Acquisition Act, 1894;
 Indian Forest Act, 1927; • The Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972;
 Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980;
 The Environment (Protection) Act, 1986;
 National Forest Policy, 1988;
 The Panchayati Raj Act, 1994; and
 Several State laws on the pricing and contracting of non timber forest produce.

The Policy Statement for Abatement of Pollution, adopted in 1992 lays emphasis on pollution
prevention in place of the conventional end-of-the-pipe treatment also identified the adoption
of best available and practicable technologies as the key element for pollution prevention.
The focus of the various programmes and schemes of the Ministry and its associated
organizations related to pollution prevention and control is, therefore, on such issues such as

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promotion of clean and low waste technologies, waste minimization, reuse or recycling,
improvement of water quality, environment audit, natural resource accounting, development
of mass based standards, institutional and human resource development etc. The whole issue
of pollution prevention and control is dealt with by a combination of command and control
methods as well as voluntary regulations, fiscal measures, promotion of awareness etc.

Programmes of the Ministry related to prevention and control of pollution are :

1. Environmental Statement (as part of Environmental Audit)

2. Environmental Statistics and Mapping
3. Development and Promotion of Cleaner Technologies
4. Adoption of Cleaner Technologies in Small Scale Industries
5. Waste Minimizing
6. Programme for improvement of Quality of Automotive Fuels (Motor Gasoline and Diesel)
for reducing Vehicular Pollution
7. Mission on Control of Vehicular Pollution from On-Road Vehicles
8. Noise Pollution
9. Environmental Epidemiological Studies
10. Development of Standards
11. Eco Labelling

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Charter on Corporate responsibility for Environmental protection

After a series of industry specific interaction meetings,

 Ministry of Environment & Forest (MoEF) launched the Charter on "Corporate

Responsibility for Environmental Protection (CREP)" in March 2003 for 17
categories of polluting industries and

 is a road map for progressive improvement in environmental management and

 With the purpose to go beyond the compliance of regulatory norms for prevention &
control of pollution through various measures including waste minimization, in-plant
process control & adoption of clean technologies.

 The Charter marks a paradigm shift from regulatory enforcement of pollution control
norms to voluntary compliance by the industry to significantly enhance the quality of
environment.

The Charter set targets concerning conservation of water, energy, recovery of chemicals,
reduction in pollution, elimination of toxic pollutants, process & management of
residues that are required to be disposed off in an environmentally sound manner.

The Charter enlists the action points for pollution control for various categories of highly
polluting industries.

The 17 major polluting industries identified for participatory approach towards pollution
control are : cement, aluminium, thermal power plants, oil refineries, pesticides, iron and
steel, pulp and paper, copper and zinc, distilleries, sugar, petrochemicals, dye and dye
intermediates, caustic soda (Chlore alkali), pharmaceuticals, tanneries and fertilizer
industry.

The Charter seeks to considerably reduce air and water pollution with the industry voluntarily
agreeing to take up modernisation of production processes and installation of necessary
systems to reduce polluting effluents and other solid wastes. This will be achieved through
water and energy conservation, decreased use of raw materials, better monitoring of air and
water quality, adoption of waste minimization options, better work practices and
housekeeping etc.

The Charter also enables the industry to know the Government programmes, priorities and
concerns in respect of 17 categories of major polluting industries and gives appropriate time
for implementation of action points identified in the sectoral discussions thus relieving the
industry from the sudden burden and enforcement pressure.

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The Charter imparts the „dimension of conscience‟ to the collective endeavour to fulfil the
environmental objectives and targets.

For effective implementation of the Charter, eight task forces comprising of experts and
members from institutions and industry associations have been constituted. These task forces
are meeting regularly to monitor and to provide guidance to the industries for adopting
necessary pollution abatement measures

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