Sustainable Environment: Practices in Indian Space Research Organization - A Case Study

Abstract

Objective: This paper illustrates the need for sustainable environment and various measures being implemented at ISRO, highlighting the investment and benefits derived out of such measures. Methods: ISRO being public organization is always committed towards environmental well-being. Some of the measures adopted in view of environmental sustainability are i) Use of Green building concepts, ii) Use of renewable energy, iii) Water conservation methods, iv) Recycling of wastes etc., Findings: Green buildings, though require an initial capital, helps in reducing the environmental impact and contributes in energy conservation by installation of occupancy sensors, VRV, IAQ, use of low-emitting materials etc., Water conservation initiatives provides an alternative source of water supply under the critical situation of short supply from water supply board and depleted yield of the bore wells. All these sustainable measures are practically installed and effectively used, which brings out many tangible and intangible benefits to the organization and surrounding environment. Improvements: As capital investment is less and benefits achieved are more, the above measures can be practiced in all kinds of buildings irrespective of their size and nature. Considering this, additional solar power plants, floating solar panels, harnessing wind energy, biogas plants are proposed to be implemented. Keywords: ISRO, Rainwater Harvesting, Solar Power, Solid Waste, Sustainability, U-Value