1. Key to Future – Inclusive growth and Sustainability with three “A”s
Preamble
We are in the era where Industrial Revolution has taken the driver’s seat of evolution
process and has become synonym of modernisation. Today entire world is engrossed in the
upheaval in which machine dominates our way of life. The revolution has redefined
manufacturing & operation process and has set competition as the way to success.
Inhabitants of the Earth welcomed the revolution and diverted all its energy in enjoying the
fruit of the inventions
and discoveries which
gifted life style with
comfort. Mother
Nature on the contrary
signalled disharmony
which was discovered
by scientists in late
1970s. Phenomenon of
“oz ne hole” in
Antartic zone had
occurred due to
increase of ozone-
depleting substances
(ODS) in the
tmosphere. It was
found then that there is a steady decline of about 4% per decade in the total volume of
o
a
ozone
in Earth's stratosphere.
World Energy Outlook 2011 statistics (refer graph) indicate that both energy demand and
Carbon dioxide (CO2)
emission will continue to chart
a growing trend. The
revelation is a wakeup call to
every individual. It announces
time to contemplate and
reinvent way of living which
would include sustainability.
Intellectual world has taken up
the concern in various forums
and is actively spreading
awareness and generating
sensitivity to contain Global
Warming phenomenon and
Green House Gases (GHG).
Global energy consumption has increased strongly for all forms of energy in all regions. As
per BP Statistical Review of World Energy June 2011, 5.6% growth rate in energy
consumption was seen during the year which is highest since 1973. Growing fossil fuel
consumption implies equivalent growth in Air borne fraction of CO2 and enhanced
imbalance of the GHG composition.

2. Global awareness - Proactive ventures
Since 1970, phenomenon of global warming has triggered many initiatives throughout the
world and addressed the threat posed to humanity at large due to UV radiation.
In 1992, the United Nations Conference on
Environment and Development (UNCED) at Rio de
Janeiro produced treaty of The United Nations
Framework Convention on Climate Change
(UNFCCC or FCCC). Displaying the sensitivity to
the cause, the summit was named Earth Summit. In
Treaty submitted in the Earth Summit had the
objective to stabilize GHG concentrations in the
atmosphere at a level that would prevent dangerous
interference with the climate system. 172
governments participated in the event.
Protocol to UNFCCC or FCCC was adopted initially
on 11 December 1997 in Kyoto, Japan which entered
into force on February 2005. This is widely known as
“Kyoto Protocol”. Even though response to the
Protocol was varied, ratification was given by 191
countries thus expanding the ambit of awareness.
Nevertheless, United States Afghanistan,
Andorra and South Sudan refrained from ratification
while Canada denounced the Protocol. (191 states that
signed and ratified)
Moving on with the mandate in 2004 “Climate
change phenomenon” was flagged as a concern in
World Energy Congress (WEC) held at Sydney. One
of the conclusions in the congress was - “Climate
change is a serious global concern, calling for
changes in consumer behaviour, but offering
potential win-win opportunities. These include
increased transfer of efficient technologies from
industrialised to developing countries and incentives
to investment through emerging voluntary and
regulated emissions trading or other mechanisms.”
European Union Member States joined the foray in
2008 and proposed ‘Climate Action and Renewable
Energy' (CARE) package. The proposal included
legislative measures to implement the commitments
on reducing emissions besides encouraging use of
non-conventional energy sources. (Source
http://ec.europa.eu)
Echoing the sentiments of CARE and clean energy
economy, American Clean Energy and Security bill was introduced and passed in 2009. The
bill proposed to limit or cap the quantity of certain greenhouse gases (GHGs) emitted from
facilities that generate electricity and from other industrial activities over the 2012-2050
Greenhouse gases (water vapor,
carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous
oxide, and ozone) present in Earth's
atmosphere absorbs / emits radiation
and maintains habitable ambient
temperature . Atmospheric
concentrations of greenhouse gases
are determined by the balance
between sources (emissions of the gas
from human activities and natural
systems) and sinks (the removal of the
gas from the atmosphere by
conversion to a different chemical
compound).
The stratosphere is situated between
about 10 km - 50 km altitude above
the surface at moderate latitudes,
while at the poles it starts at about 8
km (5 mi) altitude. Man-made ODS
compounds emitted get transported
into the stratosphere and deplete
Ozone.. The ozone layer in the upper
atmosphere protects humans and
other organisms from the solar UV
radiation. An overexposure to UV
radiation leads to a number of serious
health risks for humans.
(Information Source-
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greenho
use_gas/
Photo –Ozone hole- source-
http://www.spacetoday.org/SolSys/Ear
th/AntarcticOzoneHole.html

3. period. In USA the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) was established way back in
1970 to comprehensively regulate environmental pollutants.
The flip-side
Present-day energy scene puts environmental concern and threat to humanity in back seat
when it gets mingled with issues like Geo-political pressures, depleting supply of fossil fuel
reserves and growing energy demand.
Steps taken by European Union, USA, WEC etc to address daunting fact of climate change
has fallen short to demonstrate positive results. Scrutiny of the data (provided in the table)
from World Bank’s World Development Indicators, 2009, brings out the fact that even
though the growth rate of developing countries is more than that of the USA, the per capita
energy consumption and carbon dioxide emission is much lower in developing countries
compared to USA.
Even after various initiatives undertaken around the
Globe, public awareness and sensitivity to the issue in
the developed world is at its nascent stage. This
sentiment becomes glaring in following quoted section
published in Hydrocarbon Processing June 2010 - The
climate change bill recently introduced in the US
Senate should be rejected according to a statement from
National Petrochemical and Refiners Association
(NPRA). “The draconian carbon reduction targets and
time tables in this bill would trigger destructive change
in America’s economic climate, “the NPRA said.
“This would add billions of dollars in energy cost for
American families and business, destroy the jobs of millions of American workers, and make
our nation more dependent on foreign energy sources.” [Source BT@HydrocarbonProcessing.com]
Debates and concerns are often raised on the capability of the developing countries to sustain
their economic growth and also afford expensive newer green technology. These countries on
their part are taking many initiatives and gearing up to meet the challenge posed to them. A
case study on Indian initiative is presented in next section.

4. The Kyoto Protocol is a protocol to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change
Participation in the Kyoto Protocol
(as of December 2011)
Brown & dark brown : - Countries that have
signed and ratified the treaty
Blue: - No intention to ratify at this stage
Dark blue:- Canada, which withdrew from the
Protocol in December 2011
Grey: - no position taken or position unknown
Source http://en.wikipedia.org

5. Specific case study – Initiatives in Petroleum Oil Refining Sector in India
Indian context
India is emerging as an economic power and is one among 191 countries ratifying Kyoto Protocol
Numerous response measures in tandem with the objectives of UNFCCC have been initiated in the
county in different sectors.
Under the umbrella of Environmental protection Act
1986, National Environment Policy 2006 was approved
by the Union Cabinet. It has included action plans in
different sectors as a response to climate change. The
policy is sensitive to challenge of climate change,
stratospheric ozone depletion, and biodiversity loss.
According to the Third Assessment
Report of the Intergovernmental
Panel on Climate Change (IPCC, 2001)
almost 67% of the glaciers in the
Himalayan mountain range have
retreated in the past decade.
Available records suggest that the
Gangotri glacier is retreating by
about 30 meters per year.
For river systems the action plan included promoting
research in glaciology to evaluate the impacts of
climate change on glaciers and river flows. It also
addresses the policy for sustainable
management of mangroves into the forestry
sector regulatory regime, intending that they
continue to provide livelihoods to local
communities.
Displaying sensitivity to ambient air quality in
major cities India has successfully converted
world's largest fleet of vehicles to compressed
natural gas fuelled for its capital city New
Delhi. A sector wise initiative undertaken by
India is available in
http://moef.nic.in/cc/inisector.
The International energy Agency
indicates energy consumption in Oil
sector in India is about 24% of total
energy consumption 2009. Besides, the
graph on “India’s Oil Production and
Consumption” indicates a constant
growth in future years. Moreover,
Petroleum Refining capacity in India
grew in 2010 by 3.6% as per BP
Statistical Review of World Energy
June 2011. As a consequence increase
of new projects in oil sectors becomes
imminent since projects are conduit to
development and enhancement in production capacities.

6. (Graphics Source: World Energy Outlook 2011)
Implementing projects for adopting state of art technologies and improving Refining margins
indicates growth in Petroleum Refining Sector. This section presents specific initiatives taken by India
in Oil refining sector to harness negative impact on environment.
Various measures are embarked upon through regulations for retaining balance in nature in the
process of project implementation Oil Refining sectors in India. Environment Clearance (EC) for a
project has been brought under the ambit of legislation by Govt of India and regulatory bodies are set
up for supervision, monitoring and control.
Regulatory Bodies –
a. The Ministry of Environment & Forests (MoEF) is the key agency in the administrative
structure of the Central Government, for the planning, promotion, co-ordination and
overseeing the implementation of environmental and forestry programmes.
b. The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) provides technical services to the MoEF.
Principal functions of the CPCB include prevention, control and abatement of pollution. State
Pollution Control Boards (SPCB) is set up in individual states.
Salient points on approval system for getting EC of Project (Refer site - http://www.envlaws.org)
a) Under The Environment Impact Assessment Notification 2006 projects are being divided into
Category A and B based on their potential environmental impacts. Category A projects are to
develop an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) based on a Terms of Reference (TOR)
and presented to the MoEF. Category B projects are to be screened and further subdivided
into B1 and B2, and the requirement of an EIA and public consultation have been dispensed
with for B2 projects.
b) Broadly four stages constitute the procedure for getting clearance for Environment from
MoEF. This depends upon the category of a project and is defined by MoEF. The major
stages and salient features are brought out in Fig - 1

7. Applicants are required to get Consent to Establish (abbreviated as NOC) from the Central
Pollution Control Board which is issued only after completing public hearing. This
requires submissions of an application form and Rapid Environmental Impact Assessment
(EIA) reports. On the second level, after the approval of NOC, Project will need to get an
Environmental Clearance from the MoEF
Categorical recommendations are made in Stage 4 by Expert Appraisal Committee or State
Level Expert Appraisal Committee concerned to the regulatory authority and these are
binding on the applicant for adherence.
c) The regulation has established transparency into the appraisal procedure by inviting applicant
for furnishing necessary clarifications in person (or through an authorized representative) to
Expert Appraisal Committee or State Level Expert Appraisal Committee concerned.
Composition and functioning of Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC) and State level Expert
Appraisal Committee (SEAC) are defined in EIA Notification, 2006.
d) MoEF provides manuals for various sectors like Mining, Mineral Beneficiation, Ports and
Harbours, Airports, Building Construction, Townships, Asbestos, Highways, Coal Washery,
Aerial Ropeways, Nuclear Power Plants, Nuclear Fuel Processing plants and Nuclear Waste
Management Plants
Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) of projects - features in brief (Reference site -
http://moef.nic.in/divisions/iass/eia/Cover.htm)
i. EIA is an important management tool for ensuring the optimal use of natural resources for
sustainable development and has been made mandatory through legislations in European
Union and various countries like USA, Australia, China, and Malaysia etc
ii. Definition of EIA by The International Association for Impact Assessment (IAIA) - "the
process of identifying, predicting, evaluating and mitigating the biophysical, social, and other
relevant effects of development proposals prior to major decisions being taken and
commitments made."
iii. Union Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF), Government of India, under the
Environmental (Protection) Act 1986, promulgated an EIA notification making
Environmental Clearance (EC) mandatory for expansion or modernisation of any activity or
for setting up new projects. Environmental Management or planning is the study of the
unintended consequences of a project. Environmental Impact Assessment Report (EIA) and
Environment Management Plan (EMP) are required to be assessed by The Impact Assessment
Agency (IAA).
iv. The difference between Comprehensive EIA and Rapid EIA is in the time-scale of the data
supplied. Rapid EIA is for speedier appraisal process. While both types of EIA require
inclusion/ coverage of all significant environmental impacts and their mitigation, Rapid EIA
achieves this through the collection of one season (other than monsoon) data only to reduce the

8. time required. The review of Rapid EIA submissions will show whether a comprehensive EIA
is warranted or not. [Source: http://envfor.nic.in/divisions/iass/eia/Chapter1.htm]
v. Including EIA in Project
At the planning stage of a project EIA serves the purpose to identify, examine, assess and
evaluate the probable impacts of proposed project on the environment so as to work out
remedial action plans to minimize adverse impact on the environment.
In order to meet the standards provided by the regulatory authorities adequate measures are
introduced in the design & implementation stage of a project. Standard for Air, Water and
Noise pollution are set by legislative authorities and available in CPCB website. The facilities
and technologies for treating Gaseous emission, liquid effluent and solid wastes are adopted in
order to ensure limits laid down by regulatory authorities are met.
Regulatory bodies carry out scheduled checks at regular a interval which forms a part of
Motioning / Control mechanism to adhere to the mandate of protecting environment. Refer
Fig – 2- Environment Protection measures for Refinery Projects in India
India’s initiatives in one sector having discussed above reveals that commitment towards sustainable
growth where projects are implemented maintain sensitivity towards environment from planning phase
to implementation and in operation.
Conclusion
The puzzle-
Today industrialization has become the tool to advancement. Reverberating with the tone set by
developed World, developing countries are following the same road map to deliver comfort and decent
lively hood to the fellow countrymen. Confronting the threat of climate change the prospect of growth of
developing countries is facing a dampening effect. Developing world is facing moral barrier with
projections that by 2030, 40% of global energy-related GHG emissions would correspond to six
developing nations.
Industrial revolution thus has delivered comfort but with threat to sustainability. The revolution has
ignored the cardinal philosophy to maintain natural balance and Universal harmony. Climate change is
“happening” and cities like London, New York, Boston, Vancouver and Seattle are taking
comprehensive concrete measures, municipal policies to adapt to the climate change impacts.
The way out -
World Energy Council have worked out multi-pronged attack in Energy Policy Scenarios 2050 and
established three sustainability objectives 3 A’s to address multidimensional delicate issues haunting
energy scenario today. Setting realistic goal as target, WEC has recommended bottom-up approach and
suggested plan each region given in the figure below.

9. - Accessibility to modern, affordable energy for all
- Availability of continuity of supply, affordability, energy quality, technology & reliable service
- Acceptability in terms of social and environmental goals.
[Source: Energy Policy Scenarios to 2050 World Energy Council 2007]
Nevertheless it remains to be seen how humanity will respond to the threat of existence it is facing
today. Sustenance depend on our intention and the following quote sums it all.
“I hope that you will recognise that there is much still to be done, and much that each of us can do, to
improve our progress towards the 3 A goals. Dialogue and the debate are very important but it is even
more important to convert this into meaningful action”. - Brian A Statham - Chairman: WEC Energy
Policy Scenarios to 2050 Study & Chairman: South African National Energy Association

10. Fig – 2- Environment Protection measures for Refinery Projects in India
Ambient Air
• Quality Standards are set by National Ambient Air Quality Standards where daily and yearly
average are maintained for pollutants like Sulphur Dioxide(SO2 ), Oxides of Nitrogen (N02),
Suspended Particulate Matter (SPM), Respirable Particulate matter (size less than10 um)
(RPM), Carbon Monoxide (CO) etc. SO2 emission is retained within the cap approved by
MoEF.
• Standards for emissions limits from furnace, Gas turbine, fired heaters and boilers are set by
legislative authorities Low-NOx Burners are often used in order to meet the NOx emission
limit. CPCB standards also guide emissions from Fluidised Bed Catalytic Cracking
Regenerators, Sulphur Recovery Units, and particulate matter emission from Thermal Power
Plants.
• Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are organic chemicals that have a high vapor pressure at
ordinary, room-temperature conditions. Standards are prescribed for controlling VOCs all
contaminated and odorous wastewater streams are handled in closed systems from the source
to the primary treatment stages.
Liquid effluents
• Liquid effluents from the refinery consist of oily waste / process waste water, Sulphide
contaminated streams from treatment units, contaminated storm water etc. Stipulated schedule
have been formulated - Minimal National Standards (MINAS) - for controlling pollutant level
in liquid effluent discharge. Parameters / components monitored are pH, Oil & Grease,
BOD/COD, Phenols, Sulphides, Cyanide, Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Heavy metals, benzene etc.
Solid hazardous waste
• Hazardous Wastes (Management and Handling) Amendment Rules, 1989 and subsequent
amendments set the limits for “Hazardous waste” [any waste which by reason of any of its
physical, chemical, reactive, toxic, flammable, explosive or corrosive characteristics causes
danger or is likely to cause danger to health or environment, whether alone or when in contact
with other wastes or substances.]

11. Fig – 1
Stage (1)
Screening
•Sscrutiny of an application seeking prior environmental clearance is made by the
concerned State level Expert Appraisal Committee (SEAC) for determining whether
or not the project or activity requires further environmental studies for preparation of
an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for its appraisal.
Stage (2)
Scoping
•Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC) (for ategory ‘A’) / SEAC (for Category ‘B1’),
determine detailed and comprehensive Terms Of Reference (TOR) addressing all
relevant environmental concerns for the preparation of an Environment Impact
Assessment (EIA) Report in respect of the project or activity for which prior
environmental clearance is sought
Stage (3) Public
Consultation
•Public Consultation” refers to the process by which the concerns of local affected
persons and others who have plausible stake in the environmental impacts of the
project or activity are ascertained to take into account all the material concerns in the
project or activity design as appropriate. (Required for Category ‘A’ and Category '
B1').
Stage (4)
Appraisal
•Appraisal means the detailed scrutiny by the EAC or SEAC of the application and
other documents like the final EIA report, outcome of the public consultations
including public hearing proceedings, submitted by the applicant to the regulatory
authority concerned for grant of environmental clearance.
Relevant website address
• International Regulations and Conventions http://envfor.nic.in/treaties/international-treaties.html
• Emission standards: http://www.cpcb.nic.in. & http://www.envfor.nic.in/cpcb/cpcb.html
• Complete Methodology for Environment Clearance is available in The Ministry of
Environment & Forests (MoEF) website - (http://www.moef.nic.in).
• Hazardous Wastes (Management : http://envfor.nic.in/news/aprjun03/hwmh-rules.pdf