Environmental Management Towards Sustainability

This book is about understanding challenges we face today in managing our environment and ensuring sustainability of this Planet. It presents the critical state of our resources and threats to resource security due to overconsumption, pollution, and poor and uneven governance. The book provides the reader a deeper understanding on environmental management and concerns regarding sustainability of the planet. In explaining the issues, “nexus” between issues is emphasized that is generally missed in most of the books with examples and visuals. The role of national governments, business organizations, financing institutions, investors, markets and communities is explained using case studies.

Prasad Modak is an Alumni of IIT Bombay and holds Doctor of Environmental Engg from Asian Institute of Technology, Bangkok. Dr. Modak was a Professor at Centre for Environmental Science and Engg at IIT Bombay between 1984-1995. Currently, he is a Professor (Adjunct) at Centre for Technology Alternatives in Rural Areas, the Chief Sustainability Officer (CSO) at IL&FS, and Dean of IL&FS Academy for Applied Development. Since 1996, he has run a strategic consulting company –Environmental Management Centre LLP – that focuses on sustainability. He is also the Director of Ekonnect Knowledge Foundation–a Section 8 not for Profit Company with a mandate to impart education and training in the area of environmental management & sustainability. Dr. Modak has worked with almost all key UN, multi-lateral, and bi-lateral developmental institutions in the world. In additoin to the Government of India and various State Governments, Dr. Modak’s advice is sought by Governments of Bangladesh, Egypt, Indonesia, Mauritius, Thailand and Vietnam. Dr. Modak has been invited by several international agencies, public bodies, professional journals, and Governments to serve as a Jury and a Reviewer. He has authored and executed more than 400 consulting reports and trained more than 6000 professionals across the World. Dr. Modak has published books with UN University, Oxford University Press, UNEP and Centre for Environmental Education in India. He served as Hon Editor of the Journal of Indian Water Works Association between 1998 and 2004. Recently, he contributed chapters on Waste Management & Recycling in UNEP’s Green Economy Report and Global Waste Management Outlook. Dr. Modak’s work on Cleaner Production and Green Productivity has been well-recognized across the World. Some of his work with UNEP/UNIDO includes Global Status Report on Cleaner Production (2002), Cleaner Production Companion and Training & Guidance Manuals for National Cleaner Production Centres (NCPCs). For the Asian Productivity Organization, Tokyo, Dr. Modak prepared a series of Training Resources on Green Productivity. Dr Modak is a Council Member of International Green Purchasing Network (IGPN), and Chairs Green Purchasing Network of India (see www.gpnindia.org). Dr. Modak has worked on a number of assignments concerning institutional assessment and capacity building in the field of environmental management. His blend of experience with academic and research institutions, private sector and financing institutions, bi-lateral and multilateral development agencies, as well as Governments, has provided him an advantage to take a well-rounded approach. Dr Modak has received a number of awards and recognitions, and his name has been listed in distinguished personalities on environmental management. He has been the recipient of the Distinguished Alumni Award of AITAA in 2010 for Significant Contribution to International Affairs. In 2011, Dr. Modak was elected by American Association of Environmental Engineers as Board Certified Environmental Engineering Member for his work in Research, Teaching, and Professional Practice.