SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
DR SMITA THORAT
Sustainable development
Sustainable development can be defined as an
approach to the economic development of a
country without compromising with the
quality of the environment for future
generations.
In the name of economic development, the
price of environmental damage is paid in the
form of land degradation, soil erosion, air
and water pollution, deforestation, etc.
This damage may surpass the advantages of
having more quality output of goods and
services.
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOAL
The goal of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is to create a better and more sustainable future for
all by 2030.
The 17 SDGs are:
No poverty Zero hunger Good health and well-being
Quality education Gender equality Clean water and sanitation
Affordable and clean energy Decent work and economic growth Industry, innovation and
infrastructure
Reduced inequality Sustainable cities and communities Responsible consumption and
production
Climate action Life below water Life on land
Peace, justice and strong institutions Partnerships for the goals
Sustainable Development Goals:
Progress Across Nations
Finland: Consistently ranked among the top countries in the SDG Index,
Finland has excelled in areas such as education, health, and environmental
sustainability.
Sweden: Known for its strong social welfare system and commitment to
renewable energy, Sweden has made substantial progress towards
achieving several SDGs.
Denmark: With a focus on sustainable development and climate action,
Denmark has implemented policies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions
and promote renewable energy.
Norway: A leader in sustainable fisheries and renewable energy, Norway
has taken steps to protect its natural resources and promote social equity
Sustainable development
can be achieved
• It can be achieved by restricting human
activities.
• Technological development should be input
effective and not input utilising.
• The rate of consumption should not surpass the
rate of salvation.
• For renewable resources, the rate of
consumption should not surpass the rate of
production of renewable substitutes.
• All types of pollution should be minimised.
• It can be achieved by sensible use of natural
resources.
The Indian government has launched a number of
initiatives to support businesses that implement
sustainable development.
Sustainable Business Awards: The Sustainable Business Awards recognize and reward Indian businesses for their
outstanding contributions to sustainable development. The awards are presented in a number of categories,
including energy efficiency, water management, waste management, and social responsibility.
Sustainable Business Standards: The Indian government has developed a set of Sustainable Business Standards
(SBS) to help businesses adopt sustainable practices. The SBS are based on international best practices and are
tailored to the Indian context. The government provides financial and technical assistance to businesses that
implement the SBS.
Green Business Fund: The Green Business Fund provides financial assistance to businesses that invest in green
technologies and sustainable practices. The fund is managed by the Small Industries Development Bank of India
(SIDBI).
National Mission on Sustainable Agriculture: The National Mission on Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA) is a
government initiative to promote sustainable agricultural practices in India. The NMSA provides financial and
technical assistance to farmers to adopt sustainable practices such as crop rotation, integrated pest
management, and water conservation.
National Clean Energy Mission: The National Clean Energy Mission (NCEM) is a government initiative to promote
clean energy in India. The NCEM provides financial and technical assistance to businesses to invest in renewable
energy and energy efficiency technologies.
The Indian government also offers a number of general incentives to businesses that invest in sustainable
development. These include tax breaks, subsidies, and priority access to government contracts
A Case study: Starbucks
Starbucks is a global coffee company that has been in business for over 50 years. It is one of the most successful companies in the world, with
over 33,000 stores in over 80 countries. Starbucks is known for its high-quality coffee, its unique customer experience, and its commitment to
social responsibility.
Key to success:
High-quality coffee Unique customer experience
Commitment to social responsibility:1. sources its coffee beans from ethical suppliers 2. Provides its employees with fair wages and benefits.
3. Starbucks also supports a number of charitable causes.
Challenges:
Competition: From both traditional coffee shops and new entrants, such as specialty coffee shops and convenience stores.
Rising costs: The cost of coffee beans and other input costs has been rising in recent years. This has put pressure on Starbucks' margins.
Economic downturn: In a recession, consumers are more likely to cut back on discretionary spending, such as coffee. This could hurt
Starbucks' sales.
Outlook:
Despite the challenges it faces, Starbucks is well-positioned for continued growth. Conclusion:
Starbucks is a successful company with a bright future. T
Indian businesses that are leading the way in
sustainability:
Dalmia Cement: Dalmia Cement is one of the most sustainable
cement companies in the world. It has reduced its carbon emissions
by over 30% in the past decade, and it uses alternative fuels and raw
materials in its production process.
ITC Limited: ITC Limited is a diversified conglomerate with interests in
food processing, consumer goods, and agriculture. The company is
committed to sustainable development, and it has implemented a
number of initiatives to reduce its environmental impact. For example,
ITC has planted over 30 million trees and restored over 50,000
hectares of land.
Tata Motors: Tata Motors is one of India's leading automakers. The
company is developing a range of electric vehicles, and it is also
working on reducing the emissions of its conventional vehicles. For
example, Tata Motors has developed a new engine technology that
reduces fuel consumption by up to 15%.
Reliance Industries: Reliance Industries is India's largest private
company. It is investing heavily in renewable energy, and it is also
working on reducing the emissions of its oil and gas operations. For
example, Reliance Industries is developing a solar park that will be
one of the largest in the world.
Examples of Sustainable
Development
• Rainwater Harvesting
• Public Awareness
• Environmental Education
• Environmental legislations
Rainwater harvesting
Rainwater harvesting is the simple process or
technology used to conserve rainwater by
collecting, storing, conveying and purifying of
rainwater that runs off from rooftops, parks,
roads, open grounds, etc. for later use.
Components of Rainwater Harvesting
1. catchment from where water is captured and stored or
recharged,
2. conveyance system that carries the water harvested from the
catchment to the storage/recharge zone,
3. first flush that is used to flush out the first spell of rain,
4. filter used to remove pollutants,
5. storage tanks and/or various recharge structures.
Types of rainwater harvesting
Surface collection systems collect rainwater from rooftops
and other hard surfaces. The rainwater is then directed to a
storage tank or cistern.
Subsurface collection systems collect rainwater from the
ground. This can be done through infiltration trenches,
recharge pits, and other methods.
The benefits of the rainwater
harvesting system
• Less cost.
• Helps in reducing the water bill.
• Decreases the demand for water.
• Reduces the need for imported water.
• Promotes both water and energy conservation.
• Improves the quality and quantity of groundwater.
• Does not require a filtration system for landscape
irrigation.
• This technology is relatively simple, easy to install and
operate.
• It reduces soil erosion, stormwater runoff, flooding, and
pollution of surface water with fertilizers, pesticides,
metals and other sediments.
• It is an excellent source of water for landscape
irrigation with no chemicals, dissolved salts and free
from all minerals.
Environmental education and
Public Awareness
Environmental education is a process that allows individuals to explore
environmental issues, engage in problem solving, and take action to improve the
environment. As a result, individuals develop a deeper understanding of
environmental issues and have the skills to make informed and responsible
decisions.
The components of environmental education are:
Awareness and sensitivity to the environment and environmental challenges
Knowledge and understanding of the environment and environmental
challenges
Attitudes of concern for the environment and motivation to improve or maintain
environmental quality
Skills to identify and help resolve environmental challenges
Participation in activities that lead to the resolution of environmental challenges
Ways to promote environmental education and
public awareness about sustainable development.
Formal education: Environmental education should be
integrated into all levels of formal education, from
kindergarten to university. This will help to ensure that everyone
has a basic understanding of the environment and the
importance of sustainability.
Non-formal education: Non-formal education programs can
also play an important role in promoting environmental
awareness. These programs can be offered by a variety of
organizations, such as non-governmental organizations
(NGOs), community groups, and businesses.
Public awareness campaigns: Public awareness campaigns
can be used to educate the public about specific
environmental issues or challenges. These campaigns can be
conducted through a variety of channels, such as television,
radio, print media, and social media.
Environmental education and public
awareness
School field trips to nature centres or parks: This can help students to learn about the environment
and its importance.
Community recycling programs: These programs can help to reduce waste and promote
sustainability.
Public awareness campaigns about climate change: These campaigns can help people to
understand the causes and effects of climate change and what they can do to reduce their
impact.
Business sustainability initiatives: Businesses can play an important role in promoting sustainability
by adopting sustainable practices and educating their employees and customers about
sustainability.
ways to raise public awareness about environmental issues. These include:
Education: Environmental education can be provided in schools, universities, and other
community settings. It can teach people about the natural world, the environmental challenges
we face, and what they can do to help.
Media: The media can play a vital role in raising public awareness about environmental issues.
News stories, documentaries, and other media coverage can help to educate people about the
problems and inspire them to take action.
Importance of environmental
awareness
Environmental Awareness leads to understanding the
environmental issues.
Helps implementation of environmental programs, laws etc.
Creates concern about environmental impact on Flora and Fauna
and wellbeing of man as well.
Forms sink of environmentally aware people - Human Resource.
Environmental Legislations: A Global
Overview
Environmental legislations are a set of laws and regulations designed to
protect the environment from harm caused by human activities. These laws
typically address issues such as air and water pollution, waste management,
wildlife conservation, and climate change.
Key Principles of Environmental Legislation
• Polluter Pays Principle: This principle states that those who cause
environmental damage should be responsible for cleaning it up and
compensating for any harm done.
• Precautionary Principle: This principle suggests that if there is a risk of
environmental harm, even if it is not fully proven, precautionary measures
should be taken to prevent it.
• Sustainable Development: This concept emphasizes the need to meet the
needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to
meet their own needs
Types of Environmental Legislation
1. Air Quality Legislation: These laws regulate emissions of pollutants into the
atmosphere, such as those from factories, vehicles, and power plants.
2. Water Quality Legislation: These laws protect water resources from pollution
by regulating discharges into rivers, lakes, and oceans.
3. Waste Management Legislation: These laws govern the disposal and
recycling of waste materials.
4. Wildlife Conservation Legislation: These laws protect endangered species
and their habitats.
5. Climate Change Legislation: These laws aim to reduce greenhouse gas
emissions and mitigate the impacts of climate change.
Thank You