Workbook For Students

Workbook for students
Chapters 19 – Environmental management and sustainable development
Updated:
23 July 2019 WP Nel
Student’s
workbook
Based on METS-3
Based on: ‘Management for Engineers,

Technologists and Scientists’ (METS-3)
Chapter 19, An Overview of Environmental Management and Sustainable Development
Concepts for Management Practices
Dear reader
This chapter of the workbook is based on chapter 19 of the third edition of the textbook,
‘Management for Engineers, Technologists and Scientists’, which is abbreviated as “METS-3”.
Purpose of workbook
The workbook encourages an active learning process. The self-evaluation questions cover the
whole range of Bloom’s taxonomy – from questions that test basic concepts to more complex
questions that test higher levels of knowledge and thinking.
The following types of questions and information are included in the workbook:
• Section A – True and false questions

• Section B – Multiple choice questions (MCQs)
• Section C – Short questions, long questions and calculations
• Section D – Project work
• Section E – Case studies
• Section F – Sources on the world wide web (WWW)
Some of the projects and case studies will require learners to consult additional sources of
information.
Please refer to this workbook chapter as follows:
Nel, W.P. 2019. Workbook for the 3rd edition of “Management for Engineers, Technologists
and Scientists”: Chapter 19 (11 Jan 2019).
I suggest that you use this chapter of the workbook as follows:

• Study section 19.1 “Introduction” (METS-3: 401) from the textbook (METS-3).
• Go to section 19A of this workbook and answer the true/false questions from section
19A.1.
• Next, go to section 19B of the workbook and attempt all the multiple choice questions
from section 19B.1.
METS-3 Workbook, Ch 19 (Updated: 23 July 2019) Page 2

• Now try to answer all the short and long questions from section 19C.1 of the
workbook.
• Repeat the above for the different sections of chapter 19 of the textbook and
workbook – sections 19.2, 19.3, etc.
I hope that this method will help you to master the chapter.
Please contact me at wilhelmpnel@gmail.com if you have any suggestions on how this

workbook can be improved.
I wish you success with your studies.
Regards
Wilhelm (Willie) P. Nel
wilhelmpnel@gmail.com
How to use this workbook

Note: The 3rd edition of the textbook entitled ‘Management for Engineers, Technologists and
Scientists’ is abbreviated as METS-3. Therefore, ‘(METS-3: 401)’ refers to page 401 in the 3rd
edition of Management for Engineers, Technologists and Scientists.
---------------------------------------------
Section 19 A – True/false questions
This section consists of true/false questions. State whether the following statements are true or
false. In your answer book, write down ‘true’ or ‘false’ and provide a brief explanation for your
answer.
19A.1 The following true/false questions are based on section 19.1 “Introduction”
(METS-3: 401) of the textbook.

19A.1.1 Traditional economic metrics, such as the GDP growth of a country over a period of
one year, does not reflect how production processes may be impacting on the
environment. (1)
Answer - example
19A.1.1 True, (METS-3: 401) (1)
19A.2 The following true/false questions are based on section 19.2 “Sustainability
Concerns and the move towards sustainable development” (METS-3: 401-404) of
the textbook.
19A.2.1 Sustainable development is development that meets the needs of the present
without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. (1)
19A.2.2 The South African constitution, together with various other pieces of legislation, for
example the National Environmental Management Act (NEMA), requires companies
to put the concept of sustainable development into practice to a large degree. (1)
19A.2.3 The “cradle to grave” principle requires that all the aspects of the life cycle of a
product, process or service should be considered, investigated and analysed. (1)
19A.2.4 The “well to wheel” principle applied in the area of motor vehicles is the same as that
of “cradle to grave”. (1)
19A.2.5 In practice, the “polluter pays” principle means that the company or persons that
caused pollution (or any other form of damage to the environment) should pay for the
restoration of the environment. (1)
19A.2.6 The ”precautionary” principle means that cost-effective measures to prevent

environmental degradation should be applied when there are threats of serious or
irreversible damage to the environment even if full scientific evidence regarding the
actual impact on the environment is lacking . (1)
19A.3 The following true/false questions are based on section 19.3 “Sustainable
development and its influence on business and industry” (METS-3: 404-406) of the
textbook.

19A.3.1 Most of the definitions of sustainable development agree that the concept aims to
satisfy social, environmental and economic goals. (1)
19A.3.2 The interaction of the economic, social and environmental pillars collectively
contribute to sustainable development. (1)
19A.3.3 The definition for sustainable development by Brune states that non-renewable
resources, such as minerals, should be used at a rate restricted by technical
progress and their substitution for renewable resources. (1)
19A.3.4 Engineers, Technologists and Scientists have an important role to play in developing
sustainable technologies and products. (1)
19A.4 The following true/false questions are based on section 19.4 “Changes in
business practices towards meeting the sustainability challenge” (METS-3: 407-
412) of the textbook.
19A.4.1 It is more likely that the deliverables of a project will have environmental
consequences and impacts compared to the project itself. (1)
19A.4.2 An environmental impact assessment is a study of the environmental effects of a

decision, project, undertaking or activity. (1)
19A.4.3 A label on a product such as “produced from recycled paper” or “produced from
recycled plastic” are examples of environmental labelling. (1)
19A.5 The following true/false questions are based on section 19.5 “The importance of
ISO 14 000 and EMS standards for normal management practices” (METS-3: 412-
19A.5.1 The ISO 14 000 family of standards focus on environmental management systems. (1)
19A.5.2 The ISO 19 000 family of standards is a result of the merger of ISO 14 000 and ISO
9 000 standards which focus respectively on environmental management systems
and quality. (1)

19A.6 The following true/false questions are based on section 19.6 “Environmental
Auditing” (METS-3: 414) of the textbook.
19A.6.1 A property transfer audit, also called a due diligence risk audit, focuses on the
potential risk associated with a property from historical operations and whether such
risks are incorporated into the cost of sale. (1)
19A.7 The following true/false questions are based on section 19.7 “Environmental
Accounting” (METS-3: 414-416) of the textbook.
None.
19A.8 The following true/false questions are based on section 19.8 “Environmental risk
assessment” (METS-3: 416) of the textbook.
None.
19A.9 The following true/false questions are based on section 19.9 “Life cycle
assessment” (METS-3: 416-418) of the textbook.
19A.9.1 The complete life cycle of a product such as a plastic bag includes raw material
extraction, processing, transportation, manufacturing, distribution, use, re-use,
recycling and final waste disposal. (1)
19A.10 The following true/false questions are based on section 19.10 “Life cycle
engineering” (METS-3: 418) of the textbook.
19A.10.1 Life Cycle Engineering is a proactive approach whereby the environmental

implications of a product, process or service is evaluated in the design phase. (1)
19A.11 The following true/false questions are based on section 19.11 “EIA as the only
mandatory tool under environmental legislation” (METS-3: 418-423) of the
textbook.
19A.11.1 The level of effort in environmental assessment and public participation required
for a project depends on the scale of the anticipatory impacts and the scale of public
sensitivity. (1)

19A.12 The following true/false questions are based on section 19.12 “Corporation and
sector technology strategies to address current and future sustainability
challenges” (METS-3: 423-430) of the textbook.
19A.12.1 One of the results of the Industrial Revolution was an increased dependence on
non-renewable resources such as coal. (1)
19A.12.2 The use of catalytic converters in motor cars is an example of an end-of-pipe

technology. (1)
19A.12.3 A fuel cell engine is an end-of-pipe technology. (1)
19A.12.4 It is often difficult for new technologies such as the fuel cell vehicle to compete
with incumbent technologies such as the internal combustion engine driven vehicle
who has been improved over decades of use. (1)
19A.12.5 Radical technologies often take long to diffuse (spread through society) because
of the lock-in of old technologies. (1)
19A.13 The following true/false questions are based on section 19.13 “Funding
opportunities for sustainability-oriented technologies” (METS-3: 430-431) of the
textbook.
19A.13.1 Numerous new projects in South Africa has been funded by means of the Clean
Development Mechanism. (1)
______
Section 19 B – Multiple choice questions
This section consists of multiple-choice questions. Write down the number of the question,
and next to it the number representing the correct option, for example ‘19.9 [4]’.
19B.1 The following multiple choice questions are based on section 19.1 “Introduction”
None.

19B.2 The following multiple choice questions are based on section 19.2 “Sustainability
the textbook.
19B.2.1 Read the following three statements:

a) The South African constitution, together with various other pieces of legislation, for
example the National Environmental Management Act (NEMA), requires companies
to put the concept of sustainable development into practice to a large degree.
b) The “cradle to grave” principle requires that all the aspects of the life cycle of a
product, process or service should be considered, investigated and analysed.
c) The “well to wheel” principle applied in the area of motor vehicles is the same as
that of “cradle to grave”.
Which of the above statements is/are correct? (2)
[1] a
[2] a and b
[3] a, b and c
[4] a and c
[5] None of the options (1, 2, 3, or 4) is correct.
19B.2.1 Answer: [2] - example
a - True, (METS-3: 402-403)
b - True, (METS-3: 403)
c - False. Well to wheel focus on the impact that fuels used by vehicles have on the
environment while cradle to grave would focus the on the impact that the
manufacturing, operation and disposal of a vehicle would have on the environment
(METS-3: 403).

a) In practice, the “polluter pays” principle means that the company or persons that
caused pollution (or any other form of damage to the environment) should pay for
the restoration of the environment.
b) Cradle-to-grave means that all aspects in the life cycle of a product, process or
service have to be considered, investigated and analysed.

c) The ”precautionary” principle means that cost-effective measures to prevent
environmental degradation should be applied when there are threats of serious or
irreversible damage to the environment even if full scientific evidence regarding the
actual impact on the environment is lacking.
[1] a
[2] a and b
[3] a, b and c
[4] a and c
19B.3 The following multiple choice questions are based on section 19.3 “Sustainable
textbook.

a) Most of the definitions of sustainable development agree that the concept aims to
satisfy social, environmental and economic goals.
b) The interaction of the economic, social and environmental pillars collectively
contribute to sustainable development.
c) The definition for sustainable development by Brune states that non-renewable

resources, such as minerals, should be used at a rate restricted by technical
progress and their substitution for renewable resources.
[1] a
[2] a and b
[3] a, b and c
[4] a and c
19B.4 The following multiple choice questions are based on section 19.4 “Changes in

a) It is more likely that the deliverables of a project will have environmental
consequences and impacts compared to the project itself.
b) An environmental impact assessment is a study of the environmental effects of a
decision, project, undertaking or activity.
c) Labels on products such as “produced from recycled paper” or “produced from

recycled plastic” are examples of environmental labelling.
[1] a
[2] a and b
[3] a, b and c
[4] a and c
19B.5 The following multiple choice questions are based on section 19.5 “The
importance of ISO 14 000 and EMS standards for normal management practices”
(METS-3: 412-414) of the textbook.
None.
19B.6 The following multiple choice questions are based on section 19.6 “Environmental
None.
None.
risk assessment” (METS-3: 416) of the textbook.
None.
19B.9 The following multiple choice questions are based on section 19.9 “Life cycle

None.
19B.10 The following multiple choice questions are based on section 19.10 “Life cycle
None.
19B.11 The following multiple choice questions are based on section 19.11 “EIA as the
only mandatory tool under environmental legislation” (METS-3: 418-423) of the
textbook.
None.
19B.12 The following multiple choice questions are based on section 19.12 “Corporation
and sector technology strategies to address current and future sustainability
a) One of the results of the Industrial Revolution was an increased dependence on
non-renewable resources such as coal.
b) The use of catalytic converters in motor cars is an example of an end-of-pipe
technology.
c) A fuel cell engine is an end-of-pipe technology.
[1] a
[2] a and b
[3] a, b and c
[4] a and c
19B.13 The following multiple choice questions are based on section 19.13 “Funding
textbook.
None.

19B.14 The following multiple choice questions are based on chapter 19 “An overview of
Environmental Management and Sustainable Development Concepts for
Management Practices” (METS-3: 400-431) of the textbook.

a) Sustainable development is development that meets the needs of the present
without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
b) Past directors of companies may be held liable if their companies polluted or
degraded the environment.
c) Companies tend to place an increasing emphasis on corporate social responsibility.
[1] a
[2] a and b
[3] a, b and c
[4] a and c

a) The ISO 14 000 family of standards focus on environmental management systems.
b) The ISO 19 000 family of standards is a result of the merger of ISO 14 000 and ISO
9 000 standards which focus respectively on environmental management systems
and quality.
c) A property transfer audit, also called a due diligence risk audit, focuses on the
potential risk associated with a property from historical operations and whether
such risks are incorporated into the cost of sale.
[1] a
[2] a and b
[3] a, b and c
[4] a and c

a) The complete life cycle of a product such as a plastic bag includes raw material
extraction, processing, transportation, manufacturing, distribution, use, re-use,
recycling and final waste disposal.
b) Life Cycle Engineering is a proactive approach whereby the environmental
implications of a product, process or service is evaluated in the design phase.
c) The level of effort in environmental assessment and public participation required for
a project depends solely on the scale of the anticipatory impacts of such a project.
[1] a
[2] a and b
[3] a, b and c
[4] a and c

a) It is often difficult for new technologies such as the fuel cell vehicle to compete with
incumbent technologies such as the internal combustion engine driven vehicle
which has been improved over decades of use.
b) Radical technologies often take long to diffuse (spread through society) because of
the lock-in of old technologies.
c) Only one project in South Africa has been funded by means of the Clean
Development Mechanism.
[1] a
[2] a and b
[3] a, b and c
[4] a and c

a) The environmental and social implications of the life cycles of physical assets and
related products often extend beyond the life cycles of the relevant projects.
b) The life cycle engineering (LCE) approach tends to be reactive in nature.
c) LCE evaluates technology from both an economic and an environmental
perspective.

[1] a
[2] a and b
[3] a, b and c
[4] a and c
[5] Not 1, 2, 3 or 4

a) Environmental legislation and regulations have increased in South Africa over the
years.
b) Cradle-to-grave means that all aspects in the life cycle of a product, process or
service have to be considered, investigated and analysed.
c) The polluter pays principle means that anyone whose activities cause (or are likely
to) cause damage to the environment shall bear the cost of full preventative and
restorative measures.
[1] a
[2] a and b
[3] a, b and c
[4] a and c
[5] None (not a, b or c)
_______
Section 19 C – short and long questions
19C.1 The following long and short questions are based on section 19.1 “Introduction”
Question 19C.1.1
Briefly describe what is meant by “spaceship economy”. (2)
19C.2 The following long and short questions are based on section 19.2 “Sustainability
the textbook.

Question 19C.2.1
Define “sustainable development”. (2)
Question 19C.2.2
List the names of at least 4 pieces of legislation where reference is made to environmental
issues. (4)
Question 19C.2.3
Match each of the following NEMA principles on the left of the table with its definition,
example or closest related issue on the right of the table below. In your answer book, write
down the number of each term, and next to it the letter representing the correct option, e.g. 1.
j. (5)
1. Cradle to grave a. It is not fair that the innocent should pay for the pollution
caused by others.
2. Polluter pays b. The environmental impact of the production, use and
disposal of a product should be considered.
3. Precautionary c. Cleaner production.
principles
4. Environmental d. Where there are threats of serious or irreversible damage
justice (e.g. global warming) then the fact that some scientists may
disagree on the exact consequences of it should not be
used as a reason to postpone cost-effective measures to
prevent such degradation.
5. Waste prevention e. Is it fair that the poorest often stay closest to waste
and minimisation disposal dumps, heavy industrialised areas and other
sources (or potential sources) of pollution and
environmental degradation?
19C.3 The following long and short questions are based on section 19.3 “Sustainable
textbook.
Question 19C.3.1
Provide a brief assessment of some of the challenges the minerals industry (or any other
industry of your choice) is facing in terms of achieving sustainable development. (6)

19C.4 The following long and short questions are based on section 19.4 “Changes in
Question 19C.4.1
Link the correct sustainability tool (labelled alphabetically) below with the correct phase(s)
(numbered) of a typical project life cycle as illustrated below. In your answer book, write
down the letters a) to g), and next to each write down the appropriate number. (7)
Table - answers
Number
a) Environmental labelling
b) Life cycle costing
c) Social impact assessment
d) Life cycle engineering
e) Environmental impact assessment
f) Environmental risk assessment
g) Life cycle assessment

19C.5 The following long and short questions are based on section 19.5 “The
importance of ISO 14 000 and EMS standards for normal management practices”
(METS-3: 412-414) of the textbook.
19C.6 The following long and short questions are based on section 19.6 “Environmental
None.
risk assessment” (METS-3: 416) of the textbook.
None.
19C.9 The following long and short questions are based on section 19.9 “Life cycle
Question 19C.9.1
Briefly explain what companies try to achieve when they conduct life cycle assessments
(LCAs). (4)
Question 19C.9.2
Briefly list and describe the four phases that a complete life cycle assessment (LCA) consists
of. (10)
19C.10 The following long and short questions are based on section 19.10 “Life cycle
None.
19C.11 The following long and short questions are based on section 19.11 “EIA as the
only mandatory tool under environmental legislation” (METS-3: 418-423) of the
textbook.

Question 19C.11.1
Choose a product such as a fuel cell vehicle (FCV), battery electric vehicle (BEV), personal
computer or cellular phone. List and briefly discuss the general life cycle steps and phases
that should be considered to evaluate its impact on the environment during a ‘cradle-to-
grave’ analysis. (8)
Question 19C.11.2
Fill in the missing words in the environmental impact assessment structure below. In your
answer book, write down the letters (a) to (d), and next to each write the correct word. (4)
Proposed (a) Baseline Assessment of

developme environmental environmental
nt criteria impact
Planning (b)
authority
(d) Environmental (c) Contingency

impact statement measures
Question 19C.11.3
List the two phases that an environmental impact assessment (EIA) consists of. (2)
19C.12 The following long and short questions are based on section 19.12 “Corporation
and sector technology strategies to address current and future sustainability
Question 19C.12.1
Describe the environmental impact assessment process in South Africa. (15)
19C.13 The following long and short questions are based on section 19.13 “Funding
textbook.
None.

19C.14 The following long and short questions are based on chapter 19 “An overview of
Environmental Management and Sustainable Development Concepts for
Management Practices” (METS-3: 400-431) of the textbook.
Question 19C.14.1
Define the following concepts:
a) Polluter pays {2}
b) Environmental labelling {2}
c) Life cycle costing {2}
d) Social impact assessment {2}
e) Cradle-to-grave {1}
f) Life cycle engineering {2}
g) Environmental risk assessment {2}
h) Environmental impact assessment {2}
(15)
Question 19C.14.2
In many parts of the world mining companies will not be allowed to operate unless they pay
sufficient attention to environmental and social issues. A focus solely on profits will exclude
them from projects in certain countries. Responsible mining require a focus on the so-called
triple-P bottom line of profit, people and planet. Responsible mining is one response to the
concept of ‘Sustainable Development’ (Hustralid et al, 2013: 717).
Analyse the following twenty-six principles that was formulated at the United Nations
Conference on the Human Environment in 1972 and translate this into guidelines for
responsible mining. Do not rewrite any of the given information below. (Hustralid et al, 2013:
719). (10)

Source of information: Hustrulid, W., Kuchta, M. & Martin, R. 2013. 3rd ed. Open Pit Mine:
Planning and Design. Volume 1. London: CRC Press. pp. 719 – 721.
Original source of information: United Nations Environmental Programme. 1972. Report of
the UN Conference on the Human Environment, Stockholm.
Question 19C.14.3
Define the concept of sustainable development in the context of business / industry and
explain how business (and operational) practices must be changed to address sustainable
development through a holistic LCM approach. (10)
Question 19C.14.4
Match each of the concepts on the left of the table with its definition, example or closest
related issue on the right of the table below. In your answer book, write down the number of
each term, and next to it the letter representing the correct option, for example: 1. j. (10)
1. Cradle to grave a. It is not fair that the innocent should pay for the pollution
caused by others.
2. Polluter pays b. The environmental impact of the production, use and
disposal of a product should be considered.
3. Precautionary c. Cleaner production.
principles
4. Environmental d. Where there are threats of serious or irreversible damage
justice (e.g. global warming) then the fact that some scientists may
disagree on the exact consequences of it should not be

used as a reason to postpone cost-effective measures to
prevent such degradation.
5. Waste prevention e. Is it fair that the poorest often stay closest to waste
and minimisation disposal dumps, heavy industrialised areas and other
sources (or potential sources) of pollution and
environmental degradation?
6. Circular economy f. A method of environmental performance certification.
7. Environmental g. The analysis, monitoring and management of all social
labelling consequences of planned interventions.
8. Life cycle costing h. The process of assigning magnitudes and probabilities to
adverse effects of human activities (including technological
innovation) or natural catastrophes.
9. Social impact i. “An industrial system that is restorative or regenerative by
assessment intention and design” (MacArthur, 2014: 13).
10. Environment risk j. All costs associated with a product.
assessment
Reference
MacArthur, E., 2014. Towards the circular economy: Accelerating the scale-up across global
supply chains. Technical report, World Economic Forum. http://www. weforum.
org/reports/towards-circular-economy-accelerating-scale-across-global-supply-chains.
Question 19C.14.5
(This question draws on information related to Environmental Management, Sustainable
Development (Ch 19 of METS-3), Ethics (Ch 21 of METS-3) and the Management of
Technology (Ch 18 of METS-3), specifically New Product Development and Design (METS-3:
142-143.)
In 2017, a consumer group in France accused Apple of practising planned obsolescence.

Planned or programmed obsolescence is illegal in countries such as France. Apple was
accused of deliberately slowing down older versions of iPhones. Apple reacted to the
accusations in December 2017 by explaining why they “manage” the performance of devices
with older batteries. While the jury is still out on whether Apple is guilty of planned
obsolescence or not, there are a number of past examples of this practice occurring in the
areas of fast fashion and software updates, and certain manufacturers have been known to
make it unnecessary difficult, time consuming and expensive for their products to be

maintained, thereby encouraging the purchasing of replacements and consumerism (Lomas
2018; Howard 2010).
i) Define “planned obsolescence”. {1}

ii) Why are manufacturers tempted to practise planned obsolescence? {1}
iii) What are the environmental and sustainable development impacts of planned
obsolescence? {2}
iv) Do you think it is ethical for management to encourage the practise of planned
obsolescence in their companies? Substantiate your answer. {1}
v) What is the correct way for companies to make money? {3}
(8)
References
Howard, BC. 2010. Planned obsolescence: 8 products designed to fail. Popular mechanics,
22 February. www.popularmechanics.com/technology/g202/planned-obsolescence-460210/
(accessed on 14/01/2018).
Lomas, N. 2018. France probes Apple over iPhone planned obsolescence complaint.
TechCrunch, 9 January. https://techcrunch.com/2018/01/09/france-probes-apple-over-
iphone-obsolescence-complaint/.
Question 19C.14.6 (For mining, mine surveying, geology and mineral economics
students)
For reasons such as high global population, affluence, consumerism, increasing urbanisation
and mass production the demand for non-renewable resources, such as mineral
commodities, has increased significantly since the first industrial revolution, giving rise to
concerns about scarcity and the availability of these resources for future generations. The
supply of mineral commodities are affected also by numerous factors such as mineral
resource nationalism. The dimensions of supply risk and availability range from geological
and economical to social and environmental (Eggert et al, 2008: 72, 90). Although most
people want products, services and infrastructure such as cellular phones, TVs, cars,
electricity networks and plumbing, they do not want a mine close to their doorstep from which
the raw materials required for this development are extracted (NIMBY – not in my back yard).
Give at least two examples where plans for new mines had to be stopped or postponed
because of community activism and environmentalism. (2)
Reference

Eggert, R.G., Carpenter, A.S., Freiman, S.W., Graedel, T.E., Meyer, D.A., McNulty, T.P.,
Moudgil, B.M., Poulton, M.M., Surges, L.J., Eide, E.A. and Rogers, N.D., 2008. Minerals,
critical minerals and the US economy. National Research Council (US).
Question 19C.14.7
Background information
Figure 1. Atmospheric CO2 concentrations measured at Mauna Loa in Hawaii. Measurements

started in 1958 (Geerts & Linacre, n.d.).
There is a relationship between the average global temperature and the amount of carbon
dioxide (CO2) in the earth’s atmosphere, because CO2 is one of the main greenhouse gases
(GHG) responsible for the greenhouse effect. The concentration of CO2 should remain below
450 parts per million (ppm) for a greater than 66% chance of average temperatures staying
below 2 degrees Celsius of warming, compared to preindustrial times (before the first
industrial revolution). In 2010 the world still had a carbon “budget” of about 1 000 gigatons of
carbon dioxide in order to limit CO2 concentrations below 450 ppm in the atmosphere. It now
seems that this is being expended relatively quickly (Rabinowitz & Simson, 2018; Carbon
Brief Staff, 2015).
The COP21 climate talks were held in December 2015 in Paris. South Africa was one of
more than 130 countries who submitted an Intended National Determined Contribution

(INDC) at this event. In it, the RSA pledged to peak its national emissions that cause climate
change by 2025 (Rich et al, 2015). One of the ways in which the South African government
wants to discourage carbon emissions is by taxing it. Such taxes will be implemented from 1
June 2019 (Bloom, 2018).
Required
Please explain, from a life-cycle perspective, how it could be possible for a battery-driven
electric vehicle (BEV), which does not emit any exhaust gases, to take at least 10 years
before it is better than a diesel or petrol internal combustion engine vehicle (ICEV) and
breaks even in terms of total CO2 emissions released into the atmosphere. You may use the
information in table 1 and figure 1 below. Please explain concepts such as product life cycle
and life-cycle assessment in your answer. (8)
Table 1. Comparison of battery-driven electric vehicle and efficient combustion engine

emissions when 15 000 km are driven per year, over a period of 10 years. Both the BEV and
ICEV are manufactured and driven in Germany, with an energy mix as illustrated in figure 1
(Data from: Rolander, Starn & Behrmann, 2018).
Total (cumulative) emissions over time by: Year 1 Year 10
BEV 12,9 tonnes of CO2 27,8 tonnes of CO2

ICEV 7,4 tonnes of CO2 26,3 tonnes of CO2
Figure 1. Mix of energy sources used to generate electricity in Germany in 2017

(https://www.statista.com/statistics/736640/energy-mix-germany/ )

References
Bloom, K. 2018. Carbon Tax Bill, South Africa’s climate change battlefield. Daily Maverick.
Available at: https://www.dailymaverick.co.za (Date accessed: 12 Dec 2018)
Carbon Brief Staff. 2015. Paris 2015: Tracking country climate pledges. Available at:
https://www.carbonbrief.org/paris-2015-tracking-country-climate-pledges Date accessed:
19 Oct 2018.
Geerts, B. & Linacre, E. n.d. Changes in concentration of atmospheric carbon dioxide, other
greenhouse gases, and aerosols. Available at: http://www-
das.uwyo.edu/~geerts/cwx/notes/chap01/co2_change.html Date accessed: 17 Oct 2018.
Rabinowitz, A. & Simson, A. 2018. The dirty secret of the World’s plan to avert climate
disaster. Wired. Available at: http://www.wired.com Date accessed: 16 Oct 2018.
Rich, D., Northrop, E. & Mogelgaard, K. 2015. South Africa pledges to peak its greenhouse
emissions by 2025. Available at: https://www.wri.org/blog/2015/10/south-africa-pledges-
peak-its-greenhouse-gas-emissions-2025 Date accessed: 19 Oct 2018.
Rolander, N., Starn, J. & Behrmann, E. 2018. The dirt on clean electric cars. Bloomberg.
Available at: https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-10-16/the-dirt-on-clean-
electric-cars.
____________________
Section 19D – Mini-projects

____________________
Section 19E – Case studies
____________________
Section 19F – Sources on the world wide web
Circular economy
• MacArthur, E., 2014. Towards the circular economy: Accelerating the scale-up across
global supply chains. Technical report, World Economic Forum. http://www. weforum.
org/reports/towards-circular-economy-accelerating-scale-across-global-supply-chains.
• World Economic Forum (WEF). Dec 2015/2016. Intelligent Assets: Unlocking the
Circular Economy Potential.
Climate change and the decarbonisation of the global economy

• Read about BHP’s approach to climate change and the decarbonisation of the global
economy.
o Mackenzie, A. 2019. BHP to invest US$400m to address climate change.
Available at: https://www.bhp.com/media-and-insights/reports-and-
presentations/2019/07/evolving-our-approach-to-climate-change (23 Jul 2019).
- - - - End of Chapter 19 - - - -

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Chapters 19 – Environmental management and sustainable development

Based on: ‘Management for Engineers,

• Section A – True and false questions

Please refer to this workbook chapter as follows:

I suggest that you use this chapter of the workbook as follows:

METS-3 Workbook, Ch 19 (Updated: 23 July 2019) Page 2

Please contact me at wilhelmpnel@gmail.com if you have any suggestions on how this

I wish you success with your studies.

Wilhelm (Willie) P. Nel

How to use this workbook

Section 19 A – True/false questions

METS-3 Workbook, Ch 19 (Updated: 23 July 2019) Page 3

19A.2.6 The ”precautionary” principle means that cost-effective measures to prevent

METS-3 Workbook, Ch 19 (Updated: 23 July 2019) Page 4

19A.4.2 An environmental impact assessment is a study of the environmental effects of a

METS-3 Workbook, Ch 19 (Updated: 23 July 2019) Page 5

19A.10.1 Life Cycle Engineering is a proactive approach whereby the environmental

METS-3 Workbook, Ch 19 (Updated: 23 July 2019) Page 6

19A.12.2 The use of catalytic converters in motor cars is an example of an end-of-pipe

19A.12.3 A fuel cell engine is an end-of-pipe technology. (1)

Section 19 B – Multiple choice questions

METS-3 Workbook, Ch 19 (Updated: 23 July 2019) Page 7

19B.2.1 Read the following three statements:

Which of the above statements is/are correct? (2)

19B.2.2 Read the following three statements:

METS-3 Workbook, Ch 19 (Updated: 23 July 2019) Page 8

Which of the above statements is/are correct? (2)

19B.3.1 Read the following three statements:

c) The definition for sustainable development by Brune states that non-renewable

Which of the above statements is/are correct? (2)

METS-3 Workbook, Ch 19 (Updated: 23 July 2019) Page 9

c) Labels on products such as “produced from recycled paper” or “produced from

Which of the above statements is/are correct? (2)

METS-3 Workbook, Ch 19 (Updated: 23 July 2019) Page 10

c) A fuel cell engine is an end-of-pipe technology.

Which of the above statements is/are correct? (2)

METS-3 Workbook, Ch 19 (Updated: 23 July 2019) Page 11

19B.14.1 Read the following three statements:

19B.14.2 Read the following three statements:

Which of the above statements is/are correct? (2)

19B.14.3 Read the following three statements:

METS-3 Workbook, Ch 19 (Updated: 23 July 2019) Page 12

Which of the above statements is/are correct? (2)

19B.14.4 Read the following three statements:

Which of the above statements is/are correct? (2)

19B.14.5 Read the following three statements:

METS-3 Workbook, Ch 19 (Updated: 23 July 2019) Page 13

19B.14.6 Read the following three statements:

Section 19 C – short and long questions

METS-3 Workbook, Ch 19 (Updated: 23 July 2019) Page 14

METS-3 Workbook, Ch 19 (Updated: 23 July 2019) Page 15

METS-3 Workbook, Ch 19 (Updated: 23 July 2019) Page 16

METS-3 Workbook, Ch 19 (Updated: 23 July 2019) Page 17

Proposed (a) Baseline Assessment of

(d) Environmental (c) Contingency

METS-3 Workbook, Ch 19 (Updated: 23 July 2019) Page 18

METS-3 Workbook, Ch 19 (Updated: 23 July 2019) Page 19

METS-3 Workbook, Ch 19 (Updated: 23 July 2019) Page 22

In 2017, a consumer group in France accused Apple of practising planned obsolescence.

METS-3 Workbook, Ch 19 (Updated: 23 July 2019) Page 23

i) Define “planned obsolescence”. {1}