ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES AND POLICIES

Basic Concepts in Environment

 Environmental Engineering and science

 Environmental engineering science (EES) is a multidisciplinary field of

engineering science that combines the biological, chemical and
physical sciences with the field of engineering.
 It is the branch of engineering that is concerned with protecting
people from the effects of adverse environmental effects, such as
pollution, as well as improving environmental quality.

 History and development of environmental engineering

 Environmental engineering is the World's Second Oldest Profession
 Under different names, it continued to evolve to satisfy
environmental challenges posed by urbanization, suburbanization,
and the other needs of the nation during the industrial revolution.
 It is generally believed that the first civilization to have express
concern for what happens to sewage waste and to develop more
 complex ways of moving it, and the first designers of sewer systems
as we would understand them, was Republican Rome
 In early Egyptian Civilizations (2) excavations have been found,
showing arrangements were made for the collection of rainfall as
well as the use of copper pipe for the disposal of sewage.
 Irrigation was also widely used later during the new Egyptian Empire
1580-1200 B.C
 In the United States in the early 1800s it can be said that hydraulic
engineering was environmental engineering.

 Contaminants and pollutants and Role of professional engineer

 Environmental engineers use the principles of engineering, soil

science, biology and chemistry to develop solutions to environmental
problems and also ensure water is safe to drink.
 Environmental engineers work to improve recycling, waste disposal,
public health, and water and air pollution control, according to the
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
 One of the most important responsibilities of environmental
engineering is to prevent the release of harmful chemical and
biological contaminants into the air, water and soil.
 Another important function performed by environmental engineers
is detecting the presence of pollutants and tracking them back to
their source
 Environmental engineers work to improve recycling, waste disposal,
public health, and water and air pollution control.

 Sustainability
 Sustainability is the ability to continue a defined behavior
indefinitely. It is the study of how natural systems function, remain
diverse and produce everything it needs for the ecology to remain in
balance.
  Sustainability is the ability to meet the needs of the present without
compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own
needs.
 Environmental sustainability is a state in which the demands placed
on the environment can be met without reducing its capacity to
allow all people to live well, now and in the future/ Sustainability is
the capacity to improve the quality of human life while living within
the carrying capacity of the Earth’s supporting eco-systems

 For pollution, the rates of waste generation from projects should not
exceed the assimilative capacity (ability of a body to cleanse itself) of
the environment (sustainable waste disposal)
 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.

 Environmental Quality Standards (EQS) as defined in EPA Act

 Environmental Protection Act, 1997 (Amended 2012) – downloaded
and highlighted important points - An Act to provide for the
protection, conservation, rehabilitation and improvement of
 environment, for the prevention and control of pollution, and
promotion of sustainable development

Environment and Safety

 Environmental organization, legislation, standards, monitoring and

compliance assurance
 In order to manage and minimize the impact that your business has
on the environment, you first need to be able to quantify it before
deciding on an appropriate course of action. You may also need to
monitor your environmental impact for legal reasons, or to ensure
compliance with emissions and other regulations,
 No environmental laws were enacted in Pakistan until the late 1950’s
and in the first half of the 60’s. Environment Ministry was established
in 1975.
 Pakistan developed its National Conservation Strategy (NCS) that
became effective from March 1, 1992 and presently acts as the
environmental agenda for the country. The National
Environmental Quality Standards (NEQS) became effective in 1997.
 The Pakistan Environmental Protection Act 1997 (PEPA 1997)
is the most important environmental legislative instrument in
Pakistan.
 No proponent of a project shall commence construction or operation
unless he has filed with the concerned EPA an Initial
Environmental Examination (IEE) or where the project is likely to
cause an adverse environmental impact in a sensitive area, an
Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and has obtained from
EPA approval of the project.
 Environmental Monitoring and Management Plan (EMP): system of
checks and balances has to be developed proposing action to be
taken by each role player and lay down the required documentation,
communication and reporting procedures.
  Rule 3 of the NEQS (Self-Monitoring and Reporting by Industry) Rules
2001, puts obligations upon all the industries to submit
Environmental Monitoring Reports to the Federal EPA timely and
correctly.

 National and International Laws and Codes (Pakistan Environment

Protection Act 1997, NEQS, ISO 14000)

 Pakistan Environmental Protection Council(PEPC), Pakistan

Environmental Protection Agency , Environmental Tribunes >
Implementation of Pakistani Environmental Protection Act 1997
 Initial Environmental Examination (IEE) and Environmental Impact
Assessment (EIA) & Environmental Impact statement (EIS), National
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)
 Think of an EIS (publicly available document) as the final document
that is produced from the EIA process.
 Pak-EPA (Pakistan Environmental Protection Agency ) > is an
executive agency Government of Pakistan managed by the Ministry
of Environment.

 Evolution of EU and Pakistan environmental legislation systems

 The first major consolidated environmental legislation, the
Pakistan Environmental Protection Ordinance (EPO), was
promulgated in 1983.
 Pakistan Environmental Protection Council (PEPC) under the
chairmanship of the Prime Minister.
 Environmental Protection Agency (PEPA) at the federal level
and four Environmental Protection Agencies (EPAs) at the
provincial level.
 The Environmental Standards Committee (ESC) and the
Experts Advisory Committee (EAC) were constituted by the
PEPC in 1996, which have done very useful work for
 developing guidelines and regulations to implement
environmental standards.
 National Environmental Quality Standards (NEQS) were
finalized and issued in 1983
 The European Union (EU) is considered by some to have the
most extensive environmental laws of any international
organization.
 The European Union’s environmental legislation addresses
issues such as acid rain, the thinning of the ozone layer, air
quality, noise pollution, waste and water pollution, and
sustainable energy.