What Is Environmental Sustainability

What is environmental sustainability?
-A state in which the demands placed on the environment can be met

without reducing its capacity to allow all people to live well, now and in the
future.
-Sustainability is the ability to meet the needs of the present without
compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs
Global Ranking of The Philippines on Evironmental Sustainability

-The Philippines is currently at the place of 114 surpassing 64 countries such as
China, Iraq, Mozambique etc. This statistic were based from the website
Environmental Performance Index.
Issues about Environmental Sustainability in the Philippines

-Farming and fishing are major sources of livelihood in rural households in the
Philippines. Farming systems in the country are complex, multi-faceted, and
geared to promote efficient production and a steady source of income.
However, these have also wrought unwanted consequences on the
environment, notably soil erosion, water pollution, groundwater depletion, loss
of natural habitats, and loss of biological diversity. Farming systems are
affected by exogenous environmental factors; in turn, the farming systems also
affect agricultural production resource bases. Initiatives from various sectors to
mitigate the adverse environmental impacts of farming systems and to
protect the agricultural production bases are in place in terms of policies,
programs, and action projects.
Examples of Environmental Sustainability issues

Air quality(air pollution, ozone pollution, ties to human health with asthma,
diesel emissions, etc.) Biodiversity (conservation of biological diversity) ...
Energy (use, conservation, extraction of resources to create energy, efficient
use, renewable energy, etc.) Environmental degradation
Achievable goals
-Proper Disposal and Segregation of Wastes
-Stop all illegal activities that can harm our environment such Illegal logging
and Dynamite Fishing
-Get rid of objects containing mercury in your home. They’re a health risk and
harmful to the environment.
How other countries manage their wastes
Iceland. Iceland scores high on the EPI for its commendable sustainable
development policies on climate change, for limiting greenhouse gases and for
its clean energy economy which has been a magnet for foreign industrial
investments with regards to modernizing aluminum smelters.
Iceland is renowned for transforming its energy system so that 100% of its
electricity production as well as all its house heating is now provided by
domestic renewable energy resources of hydroelectric power (thanks to its
abundance of rivers) and geothermal reserves. It also has low air pollution,
high water quality and runs hydrogen fuel cell-powered buses in the capital of
Reykjavik, increasing its sustainability. The country’s greenhouse
agriculture has also diversified the farming sector enabling the country to
enjoy the domestic production of tomatoes, cucumber and peppers.
2. Switzerland. Switzerland topped the 2014 EPI list for its ecological and
green policies, even though it is “resource constrained” by virtue of its fenced-
in geographical location. But thanks to some innovative environmental
management practices, Switzerland has become one of the most sustainable
nations in the world in the areas of climate change, biodiversity and habitat
protection. Over the past five years, the Swiss introduced 15 regional parks
with two additional national parks underway, scoring higher than any other
country for protected terrestrial areas. It also houses the densest rail network
in Europe and provides free recycling services while charging for routine
garbage collection.
Thirty-one percent of the country is covered in forests, which provides a

lucrative timber industry creating hundreds of thousands of jobs —most Swiss
homes are constructed of wood. More than half of its domestic electricity
production comes from hydropower plants and another 40% from nuclear
power. In 2013, it reset its goal to reduce carbon dioxide emissions to at least
20% below 1990 levels by 2020, Huffington Post reported.
3. Costa Rica. This tropical wildlife haven is one of the most ecologically
sustainable countries in the world, thanks to its renowned
rainforest conservation programs and the government’s dedication to
preserving its forest and water systems—25% of the land is protected as
reserves and national parks. According to the United Nations, Costa Rica
produces over 90% of its electricity through renewable means such as
hydroelectric, geothermal and wind power.
The country also uses the capital from its vehicle stamp duty, gas tax and
energy fees toward natural resource management and air water protection
programs. The ministry’s focus on environmental management has allowed
the nation to improve its sustainability performance and maintain some
10,000 species of plants and 800 butterfly species, according to Carbon Pig.
The country supports nearly 5% of the world’s biodiversity despite its size and
even compensates landowners for protecting their trees and planting new
ones.
4. Sweden. Sweden scores top marks as an ecological-friendly performer

particularly in the areas of environmental health, forestry and water
management. Last year it was ranked the most sustainable country in the
world by sustainability investment firm Robecosam because of its use of
renewable energy sources, low carbon dioxide emissions and green
government policies. According to the International Energy Agency, 44% of
the country’s energy comes from renewable sources.
The Swedish government is composed of numerous ministries which are each

tasked with enforcing clean energy sources, carrying out green-friendly public
transportation in their rail networks and ensuring high quality healthcare
services. The country also charges a carbon tax to discourage oil use. Last year,
the Swedish government set an ambitious goal of phasing out fossil fuels by
2020 and having zero net greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.
5. Luxembourg. As one of the wealthiest countries in the world with the

smallest population, Luxembourg prides itself on its ecological sustainable
policies. In the 2014 EPI, the country scored 100% on access to drinking water
and sanitation and took in second place overall on the environment
performance index. It also achieved the Convention on Biological Diversity’s
international target of protecting 17% of terrestrial habitats, Huffington
Post reported. Policymakers approved its national plan for sustainable
development in 1999, which has been highly effective in monitoring
sustainable development indicators.
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Luxembourg has also been commended for establishing a program to
subsidize renewable energy. Recently this month, it increased its subsidies for
green energy including biogas and solid biomass in a bid to work toward
long-term future of certain hydro and biogas installations.
Government Initiatives In the Philippines
One of the earliest notable recognition by the Philippine government of the

importance of sustainable development taking into consideration the
environment was set out in the 1987 Constitution which stipulates that “The
State shall protect and advance the right of the people to a balanced and
healthful ecology in accord with the rhythm and harmony of nature.”
In 1991, the Philippines began to address the issue of climate change in its
thrust to achieve sustainable development with the formulation of the
Philippine Strategy for Sustainable Development. As a result, the country
officially adopted the Philippine Agenda 21 which serves asthe nation's
blueprint for sustainable development. During the same year, government
agencies and the Philippine Network on Climate Change were convened to
create the Inter-Agency Committee on Climate Change (IACCC) led by the
Environmental Management Bureau of the Department of Environment and
Natural Resources (DENR). The Committee aimed at harnessing and
synergizing the various activities undertaken by the national government and
civil society in response to the crisis posed by growing problem on climate
change.
The Philippine commitment to address global environmental issues was
further manifested by its support to the United Nations Framework
Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) ratified on August 2, 1994 and
the Kyoto Protocol, which was ratified on November 20, 2003. As a signatory
to the UNFCCC, the Philippines expressed adherence to the principles of
sustainable development and environmental preservation based on the
notion of equity and the unique capabilities of the participating countries.
Article 3 of the Convention states that states who have aligned themselves
with the mandates set forth “should protect the climate system for the benefit
of present and future generations of humankind, on the basis of equity and in
accordance with their common but differentiated responsibilities and
respective capabilities.” In 2000, the Philippines forwarded to the UNFCCC its
Initial National Communication which enumerated the accomplishments of
the country in meeting the objectives of the Convention. The report presented
the gains made in the fields of greenhouse gas abatement and inventory. Also
noted were significant achievements in strengthening institutions and processes
in relation to the mitigation, prevention and adaptation initiatives in the
country. Further, in adherence to the Kyoto Protocol, the Philippines adopted
the Clean Development Mechanism.
Also, the Philippines passed and implemented national measures that
advance the international community’s agenda pertaining to environmental
preservation. Some of the major legislations enacted were R.A. 8749 (Clean
Air Act of 1999) that moves for an effective air quality management program
that will mitigate the worsening problem of air pollution in the country, R.A.
8435 (Agriculture and Fisheries Modernization Act of 1997) that establishes
that the Department of Agriculture together with other appropriate agencies,
should into account climate change, weather disturbances and annual
productivity cycles in order to forecast and formulate appropriate agricultural
and fisheries programs, R.A. 9003 (Solid Waste Management Act of
2000) that aimed at providing a comprehensive solution to the country’s
garbage problem and R.A. 9275 (Philippine Clean Water Act of 2004) that
moves for a comprehensive water quality management scheme.
In 2007, Administrative Order 171 was issued to create a Presidential Task

Force on Climate Change (PTFCC). The task force is mandated to address
and mitigate the impact of climate change in the Philippines, paying special
attention to adaptation, mitigation and technological solutions. In particular,
the task force focuses on improving compliance to air emission standards and
acts to combat deforestation and environmental degradation.
More recently, R.A. 9729 (Climate Change Act of 2009) which aims to
systematically integrate the concept of climate change in the policy
formulation and development plans of all government agencies and units, to
the end that the government will be prepared for the impact of climate
change was enacted also creating the Philippine Climate Change Commission
(PCCC).
The PCCC, an independent and autonomous body attached to the Office of

the President, shall be the sole policy making body of the government to
coordinate, monitor and evaluate the programs and action plans relating to
climate change. The PCCC has drafted the National Framework Strategy on
Climate Change 2010-2022 which is committed towards ensuring and
strengthening the adaptation of our natural ecosystems and human
communities to climate change.

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What Is Environmental Sustainability

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What is environmental sustainability?

-A state in which the demands placed on the environment can be met

Global Ranking of The Philippines on Evironmental Sustainability

Issues about Environmental Sustainability in the Philippines

Examples of Environmental Sustainability issues

Thirty-one percent of the country is covered in forests, which provides a

4. Sweden. Sweden scores top marks as an ecological-friendly performer

The Swedish government is composed of numerous ministries which are each

5. Luxembourg. As one of the wealthiest countries in the world with the

Government Initiatives In the Philippines

One of the earliest notable recognition by the Philippine government of the

In 2007, Administrative Order 171 was issued to create a Presidential Task

The PCCC, an independent and autonomous body attached to the Office of

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