Industrial Environmental Management

10Quality Industrial Environmental Management: Sustainable Engineering in Manufacturing

10.1 Introduction: Industry and the Global Environmental Issues

Environmental issues are commanding considerable attention internationally. Climate change, water availability, pollution, and waste generation and disposal are among the leading challenges in this regard. As a major user of raw materials and energy and a major source of pollutants and waste, industry is an important player. Progress in dealing more systematically with issues has been made on several fronts during the past several decades, with industry taking a more active role in addressing current and emerging issues. During the late 1980s and 1990s, institutions for addressing environmental matters were developed, international co‐operation and public awareness increased, and private‐sector actions became more common (UNEP 1997). At the same time, legal frameworks and economic instruments were introduced, while technological advances helped to boost cleaner production. Finally, governments became more circumspect in pursuing developmental objectives with mandated environmental impact assessments becoming more common worldwide (IGEL 2012; Western Governors' Association 2004).

Despite the progress that has been made in developing institutions, methods, and techniques, environmental degradation remains an important issue. In its recent analysis of the global environment, the United Nations points out that full‐scale emergencies ...