Sustainability Policy: Hastening the Transition to a Cleaner Economy

Praise for Sustainability Policy

"Forceful, comprehensive, and full of real–world applications,this is a must–read for any public or private manager serious aboutrunning a sustainable enterprise. Indeed, the authors make apowerful case that sustainability management is no longer a choice,but an economic, social, and public health imperative. They explainthe urgent need for effective federal and state sustainabilitypolicy, and why we are not getting it. And they highlight theparticular importance of cities and private enterprise in fillingthe gap. Sustainability Policy is an invaluable resource forpolicymakers, managers, and students who want to understand thefield and take part in it."
Caswell Holloway,Deputy COO, Bloomberg LP

"It′s easy to confuse environmentalism and sustainability, butthey have different purposes. This book clearly defines whatsustainability policy is and isn′t, and what role each level ofgovernment has in executing it."
Rohit T. Aggarwala, Professor, Columbia University;former Director of Long–Term Planning and Sustainability, City ofNew York

"Sustainability Policy offers an accessible and pragmaticapproach to understanding how to move society toward a ′renewableeconomy′ and a sustainable future. In introducing the reader to thetypes of policy tools that can be effective in changing how energyresources are developed and used, this book underscores thefeasibility of achieving a sustainable future. At the same time, itdraws attention to some of the key features of the management andpolitical context that shape how sustainability policies aredevised and implemented. Throughout this book, the authors not onlyshow us what is possible, but also lay out a realistic path to getthere."
Tanya Heikkila, Associate Professor & Director,PhD program, School of Public Affairs, University of ColoradoDenver

"This path–breaking book presents an in–depth, wide–ranginganalysis of why global society is experiencing significantdifficulty achieving sustainability. The authors convincingly arguethat major changes must take place in our economic system,government policymaking and implementation, and governmentmanagement if we are to achieve a sustainable global framework.Both researchers and students will find this study informative andilluminating."
Sheldon Kamieniecki, Dean, Social Sciences, Universityof California, Santa Cruz

"Sustainability Policy is a must–read for anyone wantingto better understand the future of our country′s energy economy. Itis a definitive book on how we will effectively manage our publicpolicy system into the realities of the 21st century andbeyond."
Howard W. Buffett, Lecturer in International andPublic Affairs, Columbia University

Preface: The Role of Government in the Transition to a Sustainable Economy vii

Acknowledgments xv

Chapter 1 What is Sustainability Management? 1

Chapter 2 Why We Need Sustainability Public Policy 21

Chapter 3 Policy Levers for Sustainability: The Federal Level 45

Chapter 4 Policy Levers for Sustainability: The State Level 83

Chapter 5 Policy Levers for Sustainability: The Local Level 123

Chapter 6 Sustainability Measurement and Metrics 161

Chapter 7 The Politics of Sustainability 187

Chapter 8 Conclusion 217

References 227

About the Authors 263

Index 267

STEVEN COHEN is the executive director and chiefoperating officer of the Earth Institute, and professor in thepractice of public affairs at Columbia University′s School ofInternational and Public Affairs.

WILLIAM EIMICKE is a professor in the Practice ofinternational and public affairs and the founding director of thePicker Center for Executive Education at Columbia University′sSchool of International and Public Affairs.

ALISON MILLER is deputy executive director of the EarthInstitute, Columbia University and the associate director of theResearch Program on Sustainability Policy and Management at theEarth Institute.