Sustainability and the U.S. EPA (2011) / Chapter Skim
Currently Skimming:
3 A Sustainability Framework for EPA
3 A Sustainability Framework for EPA
Pages 35-52
The Chapter Skim interface presents what we've algorithmically identified as the most significant single chunk of text within every page in the chapter.
Select key terms on the right to highlight them within pages of the chapter.
From page 35... ...
, and regulatory mandates. However, clarifying its intent to incorporate sustainability concepts and practices across and within the organization will help to accelerate progress toward achieving EPA's overarching sustainability goals as discussed later in the chapter.
|
From page 36... ...
The framework includes a specific "Sustainability Management and Assessment" component for incorporating sustainability into individual EPA decisions and actions, represented by the inset in Figures 3-1 and 3-2. The Sustainability Assessment and Management process is intended to be applicable to all types of issues, including human health and ecological risks.
|
From page 37... ...
FIGURE 3-1 A framework for EPA sustainability decisions 37 S-1 and 3-1 revised le 7/26/11
|
From page 38... ...
38 FIGURE 3-2 A framework for EPA sustainability decisions (Level 1)
|
From page 39... ...
EPA is already engaged in many projects and approaches that further sustainability aims, but adoption of this approach with staged and programmatic implementation will lead to a growing body of agency successes and experiences with the incorporation of sustainability. The adoption of the overall management system approach could occur quickly, and the use of the Sustainability Assess ment and Management process can be phased in over time on agency decisions and actions.
|
From page 40... ...
THE SUSTAINABILITY FRAMEWORK: LEVEL 1 COMPONENTS Level 1 of the Sustainability Framework, described below, includes the sustainability paradigm, principles, and legal mandates that feed into the pro cess; EPA's sustainability vision as well as objectives, goals, and indicators and "metrics" (see Appendix C) ; organization and culture; sustainability assessment and management; and periodic evaluation and public reporting activities.
|
From page 41... ...
Second, and equally important, EPA could benefit from formally developing, adopting, and publishing a set of broad "EPA Sustainability Principles," which underlie all agency policies and programs. These principles would guide the agency's implementation of regulatory mandates and discretionary programs in ways to optimize benefits as they relate to the three pillars -- social, environmental, and economic.
|
From page 42... ...
Implementing its regulatory mandates is the core work of the agency. Also, under the Sustainability Framework, EPA would continue to promote human well-being and protect human health in implementing core mandates while more deliberately addressing the other dimensions (e.g., giving ecosystem well-being higher prior
|
From page 43... ...
. Canada's Federal Sustainable Development Strategy The Federal Sustainable Development Act (FSDA)
|
From page 44... ...
It is important that EPA debate and adopt a sustainability vision as an organic process to guide the agency forward. EPA's stated mission -- to protect human health and the environment -- appropriately reflects the agency's statutory authority.
|
From page 45... ...
For illustration purposes only, EPA could set a 3-5 year objective that "by 2015, the EPA will have facilitated 25 green infrastructure projects that deliver regulatory performance comparable to conventional pollution control systems, but at lower costs, with higher conservation values and outcomes, and measurable net job creation." This kind of objective would be a strong signal of the need to shift to placebased sustainability projects and experimentation with green infrastructure ap proaches. The indicators for assessing performance against this objective could be the number of green infrastructure projects completed, associated cumulative value of cost savings and ecosystem service value gained, and human health risk reduction.
|
From page 46... ...
EPA at all levels, offices, and regions faces daily decisions and potential ac tions in various contexts -- for example, routine permitting, enforcement actions, reviewing significant new-use chemical applications, development of regulations, and major policy initiatives. The general approach recommended by the committee for sustainability assessment and management -- laid out as Level 2 in Figure 3-3 and discussed in greater depth in Chapter 4 -- will need to be shaped for application in EPA's various programs, and some routine decision making may not be best served by formal sustainability reviews for each project.
|
From page 47... ...
. Another option could be for EPA's program and regional offices to be tasked with selecting priority initiatives or activities in their fields of work for sustainability assessments.
|
From page 48... ...
. Agencies must clearly identify high-priority performance goals in their strategic plans, annual performance plans, and annual reports and are expected to internally review performance related to their goals.
|
From page 49... ...
These goals would be designed to improve performance throughout the agency by extending beyond its current capabilities and experiences and requir ing new strategies and approaches to ensure their attainment. EPA should begin periodic public sustainability reporting to transparently review its progress versus goals.
|
From page 50... ...
2010. Planning for a Sustainable Future: A Federal Sustainable Development Strategy for Canada.
|
From page 51... ...
2010. Preparation and Submission of Strategic Plans, Annual Performance Plans, and Annual Program Performance Reports.
|
From page 52... ...
2011. Unilever Sustainable Living Plan.
|
Key Terms
This material may be derived from roughly machine-read images, and so is provided only to facilitate research.
More
information on Chapter Skim is available.