Environmental Impact Assessment

Dr Ashok Joshi
Associate Professor Institute of Environmental architecture Rachana Sansad Mumbai - 400025

Training Workshop on Green Interior Materials & Products, 3-5 August 2010

EIA Environmental Impact Assessment Aspects

Environment
Toxicity / pollution Environmental concerns Local to Global Sustainability 1.Environmental 2.Social 3.Economic Environment verses Development
Training Workshop on Green Interior Materials & Products

EIA process Intricacies Associated Factors

Complexity
Economic survival jobs / work opportunity Importance Uniqueness Different from others 1.Environment friendly 2. Eco-friendly 3.Green product 4. Sustainable Product Development with Environmental concern
Training Workshop on Green Interior Materials & Products

EIA process Targets

1. Development projects (New or Expansion) - compulsory
2. Processes - Voluntary 3. Activities - Optional 4. Products Corporate Necessity

Environment - A necessity

Training Workshop on Green Interior Materials & Products

EIA - study To collect in depth information about:

Environmental burdens Use of resources Use of Energy Pollution Loads Estimate Environmental cost Economic cost Health/comfort / well being Social Address Environmental issues Toxicity Degradation /alterations Waste generation Global impacts

Training Workshop on Green Interior Materials & Products

EIA Excersise objective:

To make / take decisions Identify environmental issues Environmental Remediation

Training Workshop on Green Interior Materials & Products

EIA Need What is the need:

To get Government clearances To get registration To get accreditation To stake claims Green label, Eco-mark To market and promote product To get Tax and other fiscal benefits To improve export of the products To improve product design To improve products environmental quality To improve production process To improve energy efficiency To find appropriate alternate rawmaterials

Training Workshop on Green Interior Materials & Products

EIA Process Variables:

Nature of project Nature of activity Nature of product Purpose of EIA

In this workshop focus is on buildings interior products

Training Workshop on Green Interior Materials & Products

EIA Excersise objective:

To make / take decisions Identify environmental issues Environmental Remediation

Training Workshop on Green Interior Materials & Products

EIA How it is done Steps

Select a product Collect base line data Quantitative inventory of raw materials used
Quantitative inventory of production process steps used

Identify environmental issues associated with each material & process List Environmental issues that are needed to be resolved Prepare priority list for environmental remediation Look for alternative raw materials that are environmentally safe Quantify the environmental costs/indicators/indexes Normalize the above Compare the normalized values with benchmarks/standards or competitors identical product Draw conclusions
Training Workshop on Green Interior Materials & Products

EIA Level of detailing Example - WOOD

Type of Wood Source Denudation of land due to loss of tree Reduction in primary production Reduction in natural carbon assimilation Soil erosion Ground water depletion Loss of habitat to wild life Toxicity due to wood processing Effect of toxicity on human and environmental health Energy used in the wood processing Caron footprint of wood processing Final disposal of processed wood after completion of use full life Environmental remediation
Training Workshop on Green Interior Materials & Products

EIA Environment - Reference points Examples: Pollutants & wastes

Human Health: Toxicity Respiratory Organics Carcinogens Particulates Climate Change Radiation Ozone Layer depletion Smog formation

Training Workshop on Green Interior Materials & Products

EIA Reference points Examples: Pollutants & wastes

Ecosystem Health Eco-toxicity Acidification Eutrophication Land use

Training Workshop on Green Interior Materials & Products

EIA Environment - Reference points Examples: Natural Resources

Resource use / Resource depletion Mineral resources Fossil fuels

Training Workshop on Green Interior Materials & Products

EIA Reference points Examples: Health Effect

Toxicity Emissions

Concentrations / Half life

Exposure (time duration) Synergism /Antagonism Mortality / disability

Training Workshop on Green Interior Materials & Products

EIA Environmental Remediation Reduce burden on Environment: 1.

Reduce material quantities being used in product / production Process Modification:

Reduce use of water Reduce use of energy Reduce waste generation Reduce toxicity

Training Workshop on Green Interior Materials & Products

EIA Environmental Remediation Reduce burden on Environment: 2.

Replace or change the material being used

Use non toxic material Use Biodegradable material Use Materials having low embedded energy Use recycled material Use green chemicals

Training Workshop on Green Interior Materials & Products

EIA Environmental Remediation Reduce burden on Environment: 3.

Take care of post life remnant of the product: Take back the used up material and recycle or dispose in the safest manner Compensatory measures: Tree plantation (carbon sequestering) Recycle waste materials totally Use renewable energy

Training Workshop on Green Interior Materials & Products