UNIT- 4

Environmental Legislation:
1. Constitutional Provisions:
 The Indian Constitution empowers both the Central and State governments to
enact laws for environmental protection.
 Article 48-A of the Directive Principles of State Policy emphasizes the
protection and improvement of the environment.
 Article 51-A(g) imposes a fundamental duty on citizens to protect and
improve the environment.
2. The Environment (Protection) Act, 1986:
 Enacted to provide for the protection and improvement of the environment.
 Grants power to the Central Government to take necessary measures to protect
and improve the environment.
 Provides for the establishment of authorities for the prevention of
environmental pollution.
3. The Water Act, 1974:
 Aimed at prevention and control of water pollution.
 Regulates and prohibits the discharge of pollutants into water bodies.
 Establishes central and state pollution control boards for enforcement.
4. The Air Act, 1981:
 Designed to prevent and control air pollution.
 Regulates emissions from industries and automobiles.
 Empowers central and state pollution control boards for enforcement.
5. Wildlife Protection Act, 1972:
 Provides for the protection of wildlife and their habitats.
 Regulates hunting and trade in wildlife and their products.
 Establishes protected areas like national parks and wildlife sanctuaries.
6. Guidelines for Control of Noise:
 Prescribes permissible noise levels for different zones.
 Regulates noise pollution from various sources like industries, vehicles, and
construction activities.
 7. Loss of Biodiversity:
 Refers to the decline in the variety of plant and animal species.
 Addressed through conservation measures, protected areas, and sustainable
land-use practices.
8. Solid and Hazardous Waste Management Rules:
 Aimed at proper disposal and management of solid and hazardous wastes.
 Regulates generation, storage, transportation, and treatment of waste.
 Encourages recycling and waste minimization practices.
Life Cycle Assessment (LCA):
1. Life Cycle Analysis:
 Methodology for assessing environmental impacts associated with all stages of
a product's life cycle.
 Includes raw material extraction, production, use, and disposal phases.
 Helps in identifying opportunities for improvement and sustainable practices.
2. Methodology:
 Consists of four main stages: goal and scope definition, inventory analysis,
impact assessment, and interpretation.
 Involves data collection, modeling, and analysis to quantify environmental
impacts.
3. Management:
 Involves integrating LCA into decision-making processes.
 Helps in identifying environmental hotspots and selecting eco-friendly
alternatives.
 Enables companies to meet sustainability goals and regulatory requirements.
4. Flow of Materials:
 Tracks the flow of materials and energy throughout the product life cycle.
 Quantifies resource consumption, emissions, and waste generation.
 Provides insights into resource efficiency and environmental burdens.
5. Cost Criteria:
  Incorporates environmental costs into decision-making alongside traditional
economic factors.
 Helps in assessing the true cost of products and services.
 Guides investments in cleaner technologies and processes.

6. Case Studies:
 Examples of LCA applications across various industries such as agriculture,
energy, and manufacturing.
 Illustrate how LCA helps in identifying environmental impacts, reducing resource
consumption, and improving product sustainability