4.7 Environment and Development

Environment and Development

Environment

The environment encompasses the overall system, condition, or process formed by the interaction and interdependence of all biotic (living) and abiotic (non-living) elements on Earth.

According to the Environment Protection Act, the environment is the interaction and interrelationship among natural, social, cultural, economic, and human activities and their components within the universe.

It is the holistic system created by the interaction, interrelationship, and interdependence of all biotic and abiotic elements on Earth.

Development

Development refers to improvement, positive change, or progress in a particular subject or area.

Dimensions of Development

• Political: Political values, norms, and philosophies.
• Economic: Production, consumption, pricing, investment, employment, distribution, and savings.
• Social: Social organizations, institutions, and relationships.
• Cultural: Customs, traditions, and positive changes.
• Human Development: Income, life expectancy, and literacy.
• Technological: Development, innovation, and transfer of technology to new generations.

Concept

The environment is a system or process that supports life or entities on Earth while maintaining an interactive and interdependent relationship with its components. Broadly, it includes the lifestyle formed by climate, vegetation, forests, and wildlife coexisting with humans. The environment comprises natural, cultural, and social systems, economic and human activities, their components, and their interactions and interrelationships.

Due to industrialization, increasing urbanization, growth in transportation, unplanned infrastructure development, and various human activities, natural resources have been excessively exploited, leading to environmental degradation. Consequently, environment and development are studied as interrelated disciplines. The concept of environment and development involves balancing (trading off) the interaction and interrelationship between human activities and the natural environment.

Basis of the Concept

UN Conference on the Human Environment (1972, Stockholm)

• Emphasized integrating the environment into all stages of development.
• Viewed humans and the environment as interconnected.
• Highlighted the global interrelationship between humans and the environment.
• Recognized as the first global conference on environmental issues.
• Encouraged developed nations to incorporate environmental awareness into development activities, a trend that gradually spread to developing nations.
• Promoted the creation and implementation of environmental protection laws.
• Introduced environmental education in curricula.
• Initiated activities to assess and mitigate the environmental impact of development projects.

World Commission on Environment and Development (Brundtland Commission, 1983)

• Formed in 1983 under the chairmanship of Norway’s then-Prime Minister Dr. Gro Harlem Brundtland.
• Published the “Our Common Future” report in 1987, introducing the concept of sustainable development.
• Encouraged viewing environment and development as complementary, not separate, and integrating environmental issues into political agendas.

Rio Conference on Environment and Development (1992)

• Held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, based on the Brundtland Report and Resolution 228 of 1989.
• Addressed environment and development, biodiversity conservation, climate change, and forest conservation (ABCF).
• Emphasized implementing global environmental protection measures.

Millennium Development Goals (MDGs, 2000–2015)

• Adopted to create a common global development agenda.

Africa Conference (2002) and Second Rio Conference (2012)

• The 2002 Johannesburg Summit and the 2012 Rio Summit further clarified the interrelationship between humans and the environment, adding new dimensions to environment and development.
• Developed global common agendas for environmental protection, biodiversity conservation, and climate change mitigation.

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs, 2016–2030)

• Adopted post-2015 as a common global development agenda.
• Includes 17 goals, 169 quantitative targets, 232 global indicators, and 301 national indicators, emphasizing sustainability, natural resource conservation, and optimal resource use for future generations.
• Green Sector: Includes forests, biodiversity, and watershed conservation.
• Brown Sector: Includes air, water, soil, noise, radiation, hazardous waste, chemical management, and urban ecosystems.
• Initially focused on green sector management, now includes brown sector management.

Principles of Environmental Sustainability

1. Earth’s Carrying Capacity: Use resources only up to their regeneration level.
2. Intergenerational Equity: Ensure fair resource access for future generations.
3. Right to Survival: Protect the right of all living beings to survive.
4. Ecosystem and Biodiversity Conservation: Preserve ecosystems and biodiversity.
5. Balance of Economic, Social, and Environmental Factors: Achieve sustainability through balance.
6. Global Participation: Ensure collective participation for sustainability.
7. Equitable Resource Distribution: Promote fair allocation of resources.

The principle of environmental sustainability emphasizes that Earth’s carrying capacity is limited, and excessive resource exploitation is unsustainable. Resource use should be limited to regeneration levels. The world is interconnected, and resource use in one area impacts others, making global participation essential for sustainability. Sustainability requires balancing economic, social, and environmental factors and equitable resource distribution.

Efforts in Nepal for Environment and Development

a) Constitutional Efforts

• Commitment to sustainable development in the preamble.
• Right to a clean environment as a fundamental right (Article 30).
• State policies under Article 51(Chha) for conservation, promotion, and use of natural resources.

b) Planned Efforts

• Sixth Plan: Environment protection and land-use policy.
• Seventh Plan: Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA).
• Eighth Plan: Sustainable development policy.
• Fourteenth Plan: Internalization of SDGs.
• Fifteenth Plan: Emphasis on biodiversity conservation.

c) Policy/Legal Arrangements

• National Climate Change Policy, 2076 BS.
• National Environment Policy, 2076 BS.
• National Forest Policy, 2075 BS.
• National Wetland Policy, 2069 BS.
• Agricultural Biodiversity Policy, 2063 BS.
• Policy to establish and expand protected areas.
• Forest Act, 2076 BS, and Regulations, 2079 BS.
• Environment Protection Act, 2076 BS, and Regulations, 2077 BS.
• Water Resources Act, 2049 BS.

d) Institutional Arrangements

• Ministry of Forests and Environment and related ministries.
• Provincial ministries for forests and environment.
• Department of Environment.
• Department of Forests and Soil Conservation.
• Division Forest Offices.
• Local governments.

e) Other Efforts

• President Chure Conservation Program.
• Collaboration among federal, provincial, local levels, and consumer groups for sustainable development.
• Forest for Prosperity Project in Madhesh and Lumbini provinces with World Bank support.
• Nepal is a party to over 20 international treaties and conventions, including Ramsar, Basel, Biodiversity, CITES, Climate Change, and Desertification, implementing global commitments through national laws.

Efforts to Interrelate Environment and Development in Nepal

a) Constitutional Efforts

• Commitment to sustainable development in the preamble.
• Article 30: Right to a clean environment.
• Article 51: Policies for natural resource conservation and sustainable development.

b) Planned Efforts

• Sixth Plan: Environment and land-use policy.
• Seventh Plan: Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA).
• Eighth Plan: Sustainable development policy.
• Ninth Plan: Environment management policy.
• Tenth Plan: Pollution control.
• Fourteenth Plan: Internalization of SDGs.
• Fifteenth Plan: Environment protection policy and strategies.
• Sixteenth Plan: Biodiversity, climate change, and green economy.

c) Policy and Legal Efforts

• Environment Protection Act, 2076 BS, and Regulations, 2077 BS.
• Forest Act, 2076 BS, and Regulations, 2079 BS.
• Protected Area Management Regulations, 2056 BS.
• Policy to establish and expand protected areas.
• Urban pollution standards and guidelines.
• Waste Management Act, 2068 BS.

d) Institutional Efforts

• Establishment of the Ministry of Environment.
• Department of Environment.
• Climate Change Department.
• Alternative Energy Promotion Centre.
• Environment Protection Council.

Positive Outcomes

• Shift from human-centered to environment-friendly development.
• New strategies formulated to combat climate change.
• Promotion and development of green economy and renewable energy.
• Implementation of the Polluter Pays Principle for pollution reduction.
• Global adoption of sustainable development goals integrating environmental, economic, and social components.
• Adoption of five strategies for SDGs: Planet, People, Prosperity, Peace, and Partnership, with 17 goals implemented globally.
• Implementation of Environment Protection Act, 2076 BS, Regulations, 2077 BS, and National Environment Policy, 2076 BS.
• Formulation of new strategies to balance development and environment and address climate change challenges.

Measures to Balance Environment and Development

• Implement activities to prevent, control, and reduce various forms of pollution.
• Prevent water, air, soil, noise, electromagnetic, radioactive, and hazardous chemical pollution.
• Promote energy conservation and renewable energy use.
• Ensure proper waste management and enforce the Polluter Pays Principle (PPP).
• Conduct environmental studies for development projects and select options that balance environment and development.
• Prioritize and implement measures to minimize adverse environmental impacts of development projects.
• Ensure sustainable and integrated management of natural resources with equitable distribution.
• Protect land and watersheds, adopt green procurement, develop according to land-use plans, ensure sustainable forest management, and promote low-carbon infrastructure.

Need for Balancing Environment and Development

• A balanced environment is essential for all living beings.
• To conserve biodiversity.
• To ensure sustainable use of natural resources and maintain ecological balance.
• To conduct development activities within Earth’s carrying capacity.
• To minimize severe issues like natural disasters, droughts, excessive rainfall, famines, and desertification.
• To maintain a positive balance among the natural environment, wildlife, vegetation, and humans.
• To adopt new environmental concepts in development processes.
• To prioritize sustainable development in all activities.

Problems Due to Lack of Coordination Between Environment and Development

• Lack of sustainability in development.
• Unbalanced use of natural resources.
• Environmental imbalance.
• Environmental degradation.
• Lack of public participation.
• Increased development costs.
• Forced development.
• Low returns.
• Inability to achieve expected objectives.

Efforts to Interrelate Environment and Development

• Make Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA) mandatory and effective.
• Prioritize environmental protection in development activities.
• Ensure inclusive ownership in development projects.
• Allocate a portion of development benefits to environmental protection.
• Use natural resources appropriately to prevent shortages.
• Balance development activities.
• Extend development to rural areas to reduce urban population pressure.
• Conduct programs to enhance environmental awareness.