INTRODUCTION TO
SUSTAINABILITY
Deepak Tulsiram Patil
M. Sc. (PM), M. Tech. (Civil), B. Architecture, PMP®, LEED Green Associate®, CCP®
Content
 Sustainability and Sustainable Development
 Three Core Areas of Sustainable Development
 Economic Development
 Social Development
 Environment Protection
 Sustainable Development Goals
 Sustainability Models
 Sustainability Principles
 Major Environmental Challenges
 Global Warming
What is Sustainability ?
Sustainability considers how we might live
in harmony with the natural world around
us, protecting it from damage and
destruction.
Source – www.environmentalscience.org
Sustainable Development
The most commonly quoted definition of ‘Sustainable Development’.
Our Common Future (Brundtland Report) 1987
“Sustainable Development is development
that meets the needs of the present
without compromising the ability of future
generations to meet their own needs”.
Sustainable Development
The definition of Sustainable Development, as
mentioned in Brundtland Report, contains
following two key concepts:
 The basic needs of the world’s poor people must be
provided to allow a reasonably comfortable way of life.
 The environment’s ability to meet present and future
needs must be sustained.
Sustainable Development
Sustainable Development has been
defined in several ways; however, all
the definitions aim at the same
purpose - ‘The Survival of the Earth’.
Sustainability and Sustainable
Development focus on balancing that fine
line between competing needs - our need
to move forward technologically and
economically, and the needs to protect the
environments in which we and others live.
Source – www.environmentalscience.org
Environment
Environment can be defined as
the physical surrounding
including air, water, land,
plants, wildlife, etc.
The 2005 World Summit on Social Development, held at
the United Nations headquarters, identified the following
three core areas that contribute to the philosophy and
social science of Sustainable Development.
Economic
Development
Social
Development
Environmental
Protection
Economic Development
 Economic Development is about giving people what
they want without compromising quality of life.
 Economic Development is also about providing
incentives for businesses and individuals to adhere to
sustainability guidelines beyond their normal legislative
requirements.
Social Development
 Awareness of legislation and protection of the health of people
from pollution and other harmful activities of businesses and
organizations.
 Maintaining access to basic resources without compromising
the quality of life.
 Sustainable Housing - How we can better build the homes we
live in from sustainable material?
 Education - Encouraging people to participate in environmental
sustainability and teaching them about the effects of
environmental protection as well as warning of the dangers if
we cannot achieve our goals.
Environmental Protection
We can protect the Environment by:
 Protecting ecosystems, air quality, integrity and
sustainability of our resources and focusing on the
elements that place stress on the environment.
 Recycling, reducing our power consumption, by walking
short journeys instead of using vehicles, etc.
 Avoiding (or Reducing) - Environmental damage,
pollution, destabilization of soil by cutting down trees,
etc.
Environmental Protection
 Businesses are regulated to prevent pollution and to
keep their own carbon emissions low.
 There are incentives to installing renewable power
sources in our homes and businesses.
 Environmental issues have led to a growing concern
about the environment and whether we were or could
damage our own Ecosystem.
Environmental Protection
The following legal mechanisms have been set up in several
countries to encourage positive approach towards the Environment:
 Command and Control Regulation - It includes standards for pollution, for e.g.
emission standards, product standards etc.
 Self Regulation – These refer to the contracts under which organizations implement
certain environmental policies, for e.g. following U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC)
recommendations for construction or compliance with ISO standards that require
environment protection, etc.
 Judicial Review - Individuals or NGOs can challenge any decision by the Government
which might have significant impact on environment.
 Planning and Property Rights - The laws pertaining to planning and property are
closely related to environment protection. In most of the countries, it is a legal
requirement for developments to have planning permission, which is aimed to protect
the environment.
The 2014 United Nations Conference developed 17
Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) to work towards.
Some of the Goals are as below:
 Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation
for all.
 Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for
all.
 Promote
sustained, inclusive andSocial
sustainable economic growth, full and
Economic
Development
Development
productive
employment and decent
work for all.
 Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable
industrialization and foster innovation.
Sustainable Development Goals (Cont.)
 Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and
sustainable.
 Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns.
 Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts.
 Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for
sustainable development.
 Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems,
Social
Economic
sustainably
manage
forests,
combat
desertification, and halt and reverse
Development
Development
land degradation and halt biodiversity loss.
 Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the global
partnership for sustainable development.
Sustainability Models
 Models help us understanding the concepts of Sustainability
better.
 Achieving Sustainable development requires more effective,
open, and productive association among the people
themselves.
 Models help us gather, share, and analyze information; they
help coordinating work; and educate and train professionals,
policymakers and the public in general.
 The following are some of the constructive models for
understanding Sustainable development.
Sustainability Models
 One of the most well-known models created using
the Three Dimensions - Economy, Environment and
Society (The 3 Dimensions are same as the 3 core
areas of 2005 World Summit).
 Sustainable Development is modelled on these three
pillars.
 Economic
(Growth),
Social
Environmental (Conservation).
(Equity),
and
Three Pillars Model of Sustainability (Johann Dréo , 2006)
Sustainability Models
 This model illustrates the relationship
between People and Ecosystem as one
circle inside another, like the yolk of an
egg.
 It implies that people are within the
ecosystem, and that both are dependent
on each other.
Image Source – Dr. Amin Zeinal Hamedani, 2014
 Social and Economic development can only take place if the Environment offers the
necessary resources, i.e., raw materials, space for new production sites and jobs,
constitutional qualities (recreation, health, etc.).
 Sustainable Development = Human well-being + Ecosystem well-being
Egg of Sustainability Model (International Union for the Conservation of Nature , 1994)
Sustainability Models
 The Structure of the Pyramid guides through the
process of first building a firm base of understanding,
searching for and collecting relevant information and
ideas, and then focusing and narrowing down to what
is important, effective, achievable, and something
that everyone can agree.
 The Five steps include:
Level 1: Indicators - Measuring the trend
Level 2: Systems - Making the connections
Level 3: Innovations - Ideas that Make a Difference
Level 4: Strategies - From Idea to Reality
Level 5: Agreements - From Workshop to Real World
Atkisson’s Pyramid Model (Atkisson Inc.)
Sustainability Models
 The Amoeba Model is a powerful technique
for accelerating the innovation process and
training to be far more effective in achieving
Sustainable Development.
 The model takes a circular pattern with
various indicators positioned around the
outside.
 Lines radiate from the center to the
indicators,
on
a
continuum
from
unsustainable (in the center) to sustainable
(the outside of the circle).
 A circle would indicate the optimum
conditions.
The Amoeba Sustainability Model - Source: AtKisson, Believing Cassandra (Earthscan, 2010)
Sustainability Principles
 The key principle of sustainable development underlying all
others is the integration of environmental, social, and
economic concerns into all aspects of decision-making.
 It is this deeply fixed concept of integration that
distinguishes sustainability from other forms of policy.
 Intergenerational equity – it recognizes the long-term scale
of sustainability in order to address the needs of future
generations.
Sustainability Principles
 ‘The Polluter Pays Principle’ states that governments should
require polluting entities to bear the costs of their pollution
rather than impose those costs on others or on the
environment.
 ‘The Precautionary Principle’ establishes 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
measure
to
prevent
environmental degradation.
Sustainability Principles
The Engineering Council (UK) identified six high-level
Sustainability Principles as below:
 Contribute to building a sustainable society, present and future.
 Apply professional and responsible judgement, and take a
leadership role.
 Do more than just comply with legislation and codes.
 Use resources efficiently and effectively.
 Seek multiple views to solve sustainability challenges.
 Manage risk to minimize adverse impact to people or the
environment.
Sustainability Principles
The United Nations Conference on Environment
and Development known as Earth Summit was
held in Rio de Janeiro in 1992. The Rio Declaration
on Environment and Development listed
‘Principles of Sustainable Development’.
Economic
Development
https://www.un.org/en/development/desa/population/migration/generala
ssembly/docs/globalcompact/A_CONF.151_26_Vol.I_Declaration.pdf
Major Environmental Challenges
Major
Environmental
Challenges
Pollution
Air
Land
Emissions
Land
Degradation &
Agricultural
Constraints
Climate
Change &
Global
Warming
Habitat &
Biodiversity
Loss
Water
Wastewater
Management
Bodies of
Water
Waste &
Hazardous
Materials
Management
Major Environmental Challenges
The United Arab Emirates
Invasive Species
 Invasive species are a key factor with negative effects on the UAE's
biodiversity.
 Many species enter the region as a result of increase in commercial
activity and through illicit trade in wild species.
 Some plants that can bear the high temperature and salinity have
been admitted to the country to be used in the cultivation of forests
and landscaping within cities, while other species have been
admitted as personal possessions.
Source – https://u.ae/en/information-and-services/environment-and-energy/environmental-challenges-in-the-uae
Major Environmental Challenges
The United Arab Emirates
Invasive Species (cont.)
 Foreign species expect to cause serious consequences on wildlife, in
particular, and the environment in general.
 There are many migratory species and wild animals that use certain
areas of the country to spread from. These species include sea
turtles, dugongs, birds of prey and sharks. These species, just like
other wild animals, are exposed to various risks that threaten their
existence.
Source – https://u.ae/en/information-and-services/environment-and-energy/environmental-challenges-in-the-uae
Major Environmental Challenges
The United Arab Emirates
Carbon Footprints
 On a per-capita basis, the UAE's energy, water and carbon footprints are
amongst the highest in the world as the hot and dry climate requires a high
amount of energy and import of many goods that cannot be produced in the
country.
Limited Water Resources
 The UAE's natural freshwater sources are rare and limited to groundwater.
The government is increasingly resorting to desalinated water, which has
been produced using excess heat from electricity generation. This has
caused impact on the marine environment from discharging highly
concentrated seawater to the Arabian Gulf.
Source – https://u.ae/en/information-and-services/environment-and-energy/environmental-challenges-in-the-uae
Major Environmental Challenges
Overfishing
The United Arab Emirates
 Marine life faces a number of threats such as over-fishing. Marine species
including fish and coral are also increasingly affected by climate change. The
UAE has been reliant on fisheries as main sources of diet but the stress on
marine habitat is increasing.
Waste Generation
 The UAE's per-capita waste generation is among the world's highest, the
majority of which ends up in landfills. These pressures have motivated the
government to take effective policy actions and to build scenarios and
coordinated strategies to reduce any significant negative environment
impact and to protect biodiversity and ecosystem.
Source – https://u.ae/en/information-and-services/environment-and-energy/environmental-challenges-in-the-uae
Major Environmental Challenges
Air Pollution
The United Arab Emirates
 Keeping the ambient air quality within required standards has been one of the main
challenges to the environment authorities in the country. Pollution is largely affected
by human activities, the emissions from fuel combustion for energy, and industrial
activities.
Land Degradation and Desertification
 Human factors represented in population increase and the change in social order
pattern and consumption systems, play a major role in increasing land degradation and
desertification. Drought and over-exploitation of natural resources are the main factors
that cause desertification.
 The increasing pressure on natural resources, water resources and urban
encroachment on cultivable land, along with the intense use of pesticides and
fertilisers and overgrazing are contributing to the deterioration of soil.
Source – https://u.ae/en/information-and-services/environment-and-energy/environmental-challenges-in-the-uae
Global Warming
Over the past 50 years, the average
global temperature has increased at
the fastest rate in recorded history,
and experts see the trend is
accelerating.
Source – Natural Resources Defense Council - www.nrdc.org
Global Warming
 Over the past 50 years, the average global temperature has increased
at the fastest rate in recorded history, and experts see the trend is
accelerating.
 Global warming occurs when carbon dioxide (CO2) and other air
pollutants and greenhouse gases collect in the atmosphere and absorb
sunlight and solar radiation that have bounced off the earth’s surface.
 Normally, this radiation would escape into space, but these pollutants,
which can last for years to centuries in the atmosphere, trap the heat
and cause the planet to get hotter. That's what's known as ‘The
Greenhouse Effect’.
Source – Natural Resources Defense Council - www.nrdc.org
Global Warming
 In the United States, the burning of fossil fuels to make electricity is
the largest source of heat-trapping pollution, producing about two
billion tons of CO2 every year.
 Curbing dangerous climate change requires very deep cuts in
emissions, as well as the use of alternatives to fossil fuels.
 Scientists agree that the earth’s rising temperatures are fueling longer
and hotter heat waves, more frequent droughts, heavier rainfall, and
more powerful hurricanes.
 The earth’s ocean temperatures are getting warmer too, which means
that tropical storms can pick up more energy.
Source – Natural Resources Defense Council - www.nrdc.org
Global Warming
 The impacts of global warming are being felt across the globe.
 Extreme heat waves have caused tens of thousands of deaths
around the world in recent years.
 Antarctica has been losing about 134 billion metric tons of ice
per year since 2002.
 This rate could speed up, causing sea levels to rise several
meters over the next 50 to 150 years.
Source – Natural Resources Defense Council - www.nrdc.org
Global Warming
Scientists state that Environmental, Economic, and Health
consequences are likely to occur if current trends continue.
 The Melting glaciers, early snowmelt, and severe droughts will cause more
dramatic water shortages and increase the risk of wildfires.
 Rising sea levels will lead to coastal flooding.
 Forests, farms, and cities will face troublesome new pests, heat waves,
heavy downpours, and increased flooding, resulting in damage or
destruction of agriculture and fisheries.
 Disruption of habitats could drive many plant and animal species to
extinction.
 Allergies, asthma, and infectious disease outbreaks.
Source – Natural Resources Defense Council - www.nrdc.org
How to Reduce Global Warming?
 Use renewable energy (wind or solar) and reduce use of fossil fuel
 Reduce air-conditioning by proper insulation
 Use energy-efficient appliances
 Reduce water waste
 Reduce food waste
 Vegetarian diet
 Pull the plug(s) – reduce electrical power consumption
 Use LED bulbs for reducing consumption
 Use fuel-efficient vehicle
 Maintain your vehicle for reducing fuel consumption
 Green your commute
 Consume less, waste less, enjoy life more
Source – Natural Resources Defense Council - www.nrdc.org
Global Warming
The United Arab Emirates
The UAE’s Government portal states that the country is
classified among the categories of countries with highest
rate of vulnerability to the potential impacts of climate
change in the world. This will result in warmer weather, less
precipitation, droughts, higher sea levels and more storms.
Source – https://u.ae/en/information-and-services/environment-and-energy/climate-change/climate-change
Global Warming
The United Arab Emirates
Impacts of Climate Change
 Sea levels
 Water resources & Natural disasters
 Human health
 Animals & plants
 Air
Source – https://u.ae/en/information-and-services/environment-and-energy/climate-change/climate-change
Global Warming
The United Arab Emirates
Impacts of Climate Change
Sea Levels
 The 2010 Stockholm report found that the UAE could lose up to 6 percent of
its populated and developed coastline by the end of the century because of
rising sea levels.
 Coastal areas are affected by reclamation, dredging or other usage including
oil-related activities which endanger coastal ecosystems and developments.
 Change in sea-surface temperatures could mean intensified coral bleaching,
which affects species' reproduction and migration. Coastal communities may
start witnessing changes in storm frequency, intensity and movement.
Source – https://u.ae/en/information-and-services/environment-and-energy/climate-change/climate-change
Global Warming
The United Arab Emirates
Impacts of Climate Change
Water Resources and Natural Disasters
 Global warming changes the balance of water supply and demand; it
could expand the worldwide gap in water availability.
 Some places in the UAE will be frequently flooded while others will
suffer from constant drought and water shortage.
 In areas that already have a water shortage problem, the situation
will worsen; many other areas will face similar problems.
Source – https://u.ae/en/information-and-services/environment-and-energy/climate-change/climate-change
Global Warming
The United Arab Emirates
Impacts of Climate Change
Agriculture
 Global warming will seriously affect agriculture. Higher
temperatures, increased weeds and harmful insects will adversely
affect some species of agricultural crops.
 It is also possible that global warming will lead to global food
shortages. Local food would become hard to find because
agriculture in the UAE would suffer from more salty water, not fit for
farming, invading underground freshwater pools.
Source – https://u.ae/en/information-and-services/environment-and-energy/climate-change/climate-change
Global Warming
The United Arab Emirates
Impacts of Climate Change
Human Health
 Climatic change affects human health in many different ways.
 Other than the direct impact from heat, warming increases the
range of some disease carrying insects.
 Erratic precipitation will also make waterborne diseases more
dangerous.
Source – https://u.ae/en/information-and-services/environment-and-energy/climate-change/climate-change
Global Warming
The United Arab Emirates
Impacts of Climate Change
Animals and Plants
 Global warming will cause animals and plants to shift their habitats
to northern and mountainous areas.
 It is anticipated, however, that some will become extinct if they
cannot migrate due to topographical obstacles.
Source – https://u.ae/en/information-and-services/environment-and-energy/climate-change/climate-change
Global Warming
The United Arab Emirates
Impacts of Climate Change
Air
 Massive pollution could heighten effects of climate change in the area. The
UAE suffers high pollution, with an 80 tonne per capita emission of the
greenhouse gas carbon dioxide compared to only 14 tonnes per American
head yearly. It comes mostly from cars.
 Carbon dioxide in the air, traps the sun's heat, warming temperatures
worldwide. Also, a high number of air conditioners, desalination plants and
power stations run on power produced from carbon-based fuel. The
compound is also toxic at certain levels to humans.
Source – https://u.ae/en/information-and-services/environment-and-energy/climate-change/climate-change
Global Warming
The United Arab Emirates
 The consequences of the climate change impacts are intense on
infrastructure, human health and natural habitat, which affect various
development sectors and policies including socio-economic, health and
environment.
 On the other hand, the economic boom and population growth increase the
demand on energy, water and natural resources, which indirectly contribute
to the levels of carbon dioxide emissions and climate change in general.
 The UAE plays a central role in the world’s energy economy as a supplier of
fossil fuels, which gives the country an important stake in finding solutions
to cutting emissions while still providing the world with the energy it needs.
Source – https://u.ae/en/information-and-services/environment-and-energy/climate-change/climate-change