Environmental Sustainability

To define environmental sustainability we must first define sustainability. Sustainability is the ability to continue a defined behavior indefinitely. To define what environmental sustainability is we turn to the experts. Herman Daly, one of the early pioneers of ecological sustainability, looked at the problem from a maintenance of natural capital viewpoint. In 1990 he proposed that: 1 1. For renewable resources, the rate of harvest should not exceed the rate of regeneration (sustainable yield); 2. [For pollution] The rates of waste generation from projects should not exceed the assimilative capacity of the environment (sustainable waste disposal); and 3. For nonrenewable resources the depletion of the nonrenewable resources should require comparable development of renewable substitutes for that resource. This list has been widely accepted. It's an elegant abstraction, one that made me pause and read it three times when I first encountered it. The list can be shortened into a tight definition. Environmental sustainability is the rates of renewable resource harvest, pollution creation, and non-renewable resource depletion that can be continued indefinitely. If they cannot be continued indefinitely then they are not sustainable.

Why this particular definition is important

This is discussed on the glossary page for sustainability. Basically the world's standard definition of environmental sustainability is sustainable development, which means sustainable economic growth, which is an oxymoron. No form of economic growth can be continued indefinitely. Furthermore, all economic growth today is terribly environmentally degrading. Thus it's impossible to be sustainable and achieve economic growth at the same time, now and for at least the next 50 years or so. That's why definitions like the one on this page must replace the world's standard definition of sustainability.

Environmental Sustainability Opportunities in India

FSD works with several community-led organizations in the Udaipur and Jodhpur regions to maintain local environmental sustainability. Together, we supply local villages the representation, technical solutions, and resources needed to address the challenging environmental conditions of the Thar Desert and southern Rajasthan. To read about Environmental Sustainability issues in India, click here. Interns, volunteers, and donors work with FSD to support programs that:

Cultivate and promote water resource development and equitable distribution through various methods, including rainwater harvesting, farm ponds, conservation of natural springs, contour trenching, and lift irrigation. Convert eroded, barren land into productive orchards using various eco-friendly practices such as the use of bio-fertilizers, green manure, vermi-compost, and biopesticides. Conduct research on and analyze water harvesting/management systems, vegetative and animal biodiversity, renewable technology integration, crop improvements, creating new markets for farmers, etc. Organize and strengthen village-level awareness groups, implement campaigns on natural resource management and biodiversity, provide capacity-building initiatives for community leaders, and identify and preserve vegetative and animal biodiversity. Train local communities on the proper use and maintenance of renewable technologies, organic farming methods, and/or forest management. Carry out impact assessments, and monitor and evaluate water/natural resource management, sustainable agriculture methods, renewable technology implementation, etc. Document environmental degradation caused by local industry, while educating all stakeholders (villagers, the Pollution Control Board, governmental

departments, scientists, and NGOs) about the negative health effects of pollution and how to minimize further environmental impact. Install renewable energy technology, such as smokeless woodstoves, bio-gas plants, solar stoves, and lamps. BAIF provides the necessary training to rural communities on proper use and long-term maintenance. Focus on sustainable restoration, conservation, and redevelopment of land. Decentralize control of natural resources to protect the rights of marginalized, rural communities, while educating and empowering individuals to assert their rights. Implement watershed, wasteland, and pastureland development initiatives to strengthen environmental controls.

Read more about Environmental Sustainability programs and opportunities initiated by our Community Partners in India.

One of the key environmental problems facing India is that of particle pollution from the combustion of fossil fuels. This has serious health consequences and with the rapid growth in the economy these impacts are increasing. At the same time, economic growth is an imperative and policy makers are concerned about the possibility that pollution reduction measures could reduce growth significantly. This paper addresses the tradeoffs involved in controlling local pollutants such as particles. Using an established Computable General Equilibrium model, it evaluates the impacts of a tax on coal or on emissions of particles such that these instruments result in emission levels that are respectively 10 percent and 30 percent lower than they otherwise would be in 2030. The main findings are as follows: (i) A 10 percent particulate emission reduction results in a lower gross domestic product but the size of the reduction is modest; (ii) losses in gross domestic proudct from the tax are partly offset by the health gains from lower particle emissions; (iii) the taxes reduce emissions of carbon dioxide by about 590 million tons in 2030 in the case of the 10 percent reduction and 830 million tons in the case of the 30 percent reduction; and (iv) taken together, the carbon dioxide reduction and the health benefits are greater than the loss of gross domestic product in both cases.

To the planet we all share It is a promise to be a good citizen of the world, protecting the Earth's natural resources through innovation and more efficient use of land, energy, water and packaging in our operations.

Our business focuses on sustainable growth and relies on the Earth's natural resources every day. As our business grows in developed, developing and emerging countries, we remain committed to minimizing the impact it has on the environment. We strive to use only methods and tools that are scientifically proven, socially responsible and economically sound. In India, we operate three ongoing initiatives to better the environment. These are closely linked to our business and are areas in which we believe we can make a very positive impact.

Our initiative to replenish water has been a major success. 2009 was a milestone for us we were able to achieve a positive water balance, giving back more water than we consumed through our various initiatives of recharging, replenishing and reusing water. Click here to know more Our efforts to convert waste to wealth have been very fruitful. We have educated community members on how to segregate and recycle their waste. In a project employing over 500 people, we transform bio-degradable waste into organic manure through vermi-culture. Click here to know more We have also partnered with farmers across the country to help them boost their productivity and income. We have pioneered contract farming, developed robust, high-quality potato seeds, arranged for farmer loans, and aided citrus growers in a variety of ways. Click here to know more

Our Goals and Commitments In 2009, we announced 15 global goals and commitments to guide our work to protect the Earth's natural resources through innovation and more efficient use of land, energy, water and packaging in our operations. We are focusing our work where we can make the most positive impact (water, packaging, climate change and agriculture) and on key policies and partnerships to help provide solutions to address the world's environmental challenges. Water: Respect the human right to water through world-class efficiency in our operations, preserving water resources and enabling access to safe water

Improve our water use efficiency by 20 percent per unit of production by 2015. Strive for positive water balance in our operations in water-distressed areas. Provide access to safe water to 3 million people in developing countries by the end of 2015.

Land and Packaging: Rethink the way we grow, source, create, package and deliver our products to minimize our impact on land

Continue to lead the industry by incorporating at least 10 percent recycled polyethylene terephthalate (rPET) in our primary soft drink containers in the US, and broadly expand the use of rPET across key international markets. Reduce packaging weight by 350 million pounds, avoiding the creation of 1 billion pounds of landfill waste by 2012. Work to eliminate all solid waste to landfills from our production facilities.

Climate Change: Reduce the carbon footprint of our operations

Improve our electricity use efficiency by 20 percent per unit of production by 2015. Reduce our fuel use intensity by 25 percent per unit of production by 2015. Commit to an absolute reduction in GHG emissions across global operations.

Community: Respect and responsibly use natural resources in our businesses and in the local communities we serve

Apply proven sustainable agricultural practices on our farmed land. Provide funding, technical support and training to local farmers. Promote environmental education and best practices among our associates and business partners. Integrate our policies and actions on human health, agriculture and the environment to make sure they support each other.