Environment & Development

Course Outlines

Prof. Siddig Eissa Ahmed

UNCWR
Email: siddig57ahmed@gmail.com
 Overview and Objectives
• This course provides highlights on environmental aspects
and interaction of between environment and
development.
• The course elements have been carefully selected.
• They follow the structure and content of the relevant
syllabus and have been divided into units and elements,
each of which deals with a general theme.
• Assignments & the environmental practical application
are essential for the course completion.
• The course concludes with a final exam covering all of
the course topics.
 Learning Outcomes
On completion of the course, the student should
be able to:

1. Understand the environmental aspects and be familiar

with the Global environmental concerns and
interaction between environment and development.
2. Understand the foundation in environment
management.
3. Understand the basic concepts for assessing
environmental impacts and methodologies of
assessment.
4. Be aquatinted with the environmental problems &
understands the environmental impact (EI) and legal
framework for the regulation of the environment
management.
 Element 1: Introduction of Environment & Development

• Meaning, Nature & Components of Environment

– Environment: Definitions
– Meaning of environment
– Classification of Environment
– Components of Environment
• Highlights on Natural Resources & Ecosystem
• Environmental Aspects & Impacts
– Environmental Aspects Definition
– Relation between Aspects & Impacts
• Conservation of Natural Resources
• What & Why to Conserve
• Conservation of Soil
• Conservation of Water
• Measures to conserve Biodiversity
• Conservations of Forest
• Developing Countries Facing Major Challenges
• Water Challenges for a Changing World
• An interrelated set of challenges
• Polices and Agreements Related to the Environment
Element 2: Foundations in Environment Management

• The scope and nature of the environmental management

– The multi-disciplinary nature of the environment management
– Size of the environmental problem
• The Ethical, Legal and Financial reasons for maintaining and promoting
environment management
– Rights & Expectations of citizens
– Outcomes of incidents
– The actions and implications of Pressure Groups
– Overview of legal issues
• The Importance of sustainability
– Meaning of sustainability
– Importance of Sustainable Development
• The role of different institutions in formulating a legal frame work to
manage the environment
– International law
– The role of enforcement agencies and consequences of non-conformities
 Element 3: Environmental Management Systems

• Reasons for implementing environmental management system –EMS

– Demonstrating management commitment
– Sharing of management system principles with quality and health and safety
management
– Stakeholder pressure
– Corporate Social Responsibility
• The Key features and appropriate content of an effective EMS
– ISO 14001
– Planning
– Implementing & Operation
– Checking
– Auditing
• Benefits and limitations of introducing formal EMS to the workplace
– Benefits of Introducing ISO 14001
– Limitations of ISO 14001
– ISO 14000 family of Standards
 Element 4: Environmental Impact Assessment
• Reasons for Carrying Out EIA
– Meaning of Aspects & Impacts
– Aims and Objectives of Impact Assessment
– Cradle-to-Grave Concept
• Types of Environmental Impact
– Direct & Indirect Impacts
– Contamination of the Atmosphere
– Contamination of Land
– Contamination of the Aquatic System
– Effects on the Community
– Effects on the Ecosystems
– Use of Raw Materials and Natural Resources
• Nature & Key Sources of Environmental Information
– Internal to the Organization
– External to the Organization
• Principles and Practices of Impact Assessment
– Context
– Concept of Sources, Pathway & Receptors
– Specific Impacts
– Identification of Aspects & Impacts
Element 5: Control of Contamination of Water Sources
• Importance of the Water Quality for Use in Life
– What is meant by Safe Drinking Water
– The Water Cycle
– Water for Agriculture and Industry
– Impact of Water Pollution in Wild Life
– Water Conservation
• Main Sources of Water Pollution
• Main Control Measures
– Control Hierarchy
– Control Methods
– Controls for Storage & Spillage
– Controls for Waste Water
 Element 6: Control of Air Emissions

• Air Quality Standards

– Meaning and uses of ppm & mgm
– The Potential Effects of Poor Air Quality
– The Role of Air Quality Standards
• The Main Types of Emissions to Atmosphere
– Types of Emissions and their Hazaradous
– Common Pollutants
• Control Measures to Reduce Emissions
– Control Hierarchy
– Examples of Technology
 Element 7: Control of Waste & Land use
• Categories of Waste
– Inert
– Non-Hazardous
– Hazardous
– Radioactive
• Minimizing Waste
• Outlets Available for Waste
– Landfill and Incineration
– Other treatment or disposal routes
• Risks Associated with Contaminated Land
– The Potential Effects of Contaminated Land to the
Environment
– Contaminated Land Liabilities
 Element 8: Sources and use of Energy & Energy
Efficiency
• Benefits and Limitations of Fossil Fuels
– Examples of Fossil Fuels
– Benefits and Limitations of their use as Energy Sources
• Other Sources of Energy
– Solar
– Wind
– Hydroelectric
– Wave
– Tidal Power
• The importance of Energy Efficiency
– Reduction in CO2
– Saving in Energy Bills
• Control Measures Available to Enable Energy Efficiency
– Insulation
– Choice of Equipment, etc..
 Element 9: Planning for and dealing with
environmental emergencies

• Emergency Planning to Protect the Environment

– General Duty or Responsibility not to Pollute
– Part of the Environment Management System
– Need for Prompt Action to Protect People and the Environment
– Risks of Prosecution
• Planning for Emergencies
– Emergency Response Plan
– Emergency Control Center
– Training and Practices
– Recognizing Risk Situations and Action to Take
– Etc..
 Learning Outcomes
• Widens your knowledge of the environment
and develops your skills in making informed
decisions about environmental issues
• Approaches environmental decision making
from a systems viewpoint
• Considers how to assess and manage
sustainability in an organisation and work
towards a more sustainable future.