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Building a Sustainable Development Infrastructure

Many of the areas in the country are still in the beginning stages of a fundamental transition in both the economic and environmental areas. This transition involves the shift from a consumption and growth-oriented focus based on assumptions of unlimited resources and environmental support capacity to one that focuses on forms of development sustainable over the long-term, conservation and reuse of resources, etc. This "paradigm shift" will be very difficult and may well take decades to occur in terms of comprehensive adoption and implementation.

When viewed from the perspective of the broad goal of environmental protection, the potential benefits of this shift are tremendous. It is, in one sense, the ultimate pollution/environmental degradation prevention program. The challenge is to determine how to best facilitate and enable this transition, both in the ways legislatively mandated environmental programs are implemented, and in finding creative ways for a broad array of public and private interests to work constructively together toward the common goal of sustainability. What sort of "infrastructure" of information, skills, programs, etc. are needed to meet this challenge? This paper suggests a framework for a sustainability infrastructure of this type. The availability of such a framework would enhance the capabilities of state and local government and the private sector to address sustainability issues. An initiative in this area could be developed and implemented at any level from national to local.

The changes required to shift to a more sustainable mode of operation are many and far-reaching in their implications. The issues surrounding these changes are very complex, involving a spectrum of considerations from social, cultural, and economic dynamics to hard science. To enable groups at all levels to more effectively address these elements, there is a growing need for a wide variety of skills and tools that are not now readily available. The goals of this initiative would be to better define these sustainability infrastructure needs and begin to develop both the tools and the delivery mechanisms. Success will require extensive coordination among government agencies at all levels and a strong emphasis on a public / private partnership approach.

To effectively address a problem of this scope, even at the regional or local scale, requires a clear sense of direction and a framework for focusing efforts and setting priorities. A series of modules are outlined below which do three things. First, they define in a preliminary way the scope of what will be needed to address infrastructure development needs over a multiple-year time period. Second, they break the problem down into pieces which facilitate identification of who might be involved in working together on that module. Third, and perhaps of most importance in the initial stages, they provide a basis for beginning to set priorities depending on available resources, agency commitments, etc. Sustainable Development Infrastructure Modules following is a preliminary list of infrastructure modules with general indications of scope and types of issues that need to be addressed. The specifics on development and implementation for any of these modules would be established through a cooperative approach involving appropriate state, federal, and local agencies, business and academic interests, and the public.

Sustainable Development Infrastructure models

Following is a preliminary list of infrastructure modules with general indications of scope and types of issues that need to be addressed. The specifics on development and implementation for any of these modules would be established through a cooperative approach involving appropriate state, federal, and local agencies, business and academic interests, and the public.

Environmental Education - One focus would be on strengthening the environmental education programs in school systems. This would include, for the geographic area of concern, incorporation of specific information on sustainability issues and knowledge about economic and environmental/ecological values of natural resource systems. A parallel effort would be developed to enhance education in these areas for business and government staff and managers.

Indicators - There is a need for development of a commonly accepted set of economic and environmental sustainability indicators to aid in measuring progress and informing the public and decision-makers. Different groups, locally, regionally and nationally, are grappling with this problem. Work in this module would bring together current information in this area and facilitate discussions/information sharing. The goals of this effort would be to enhance the knowledge of possible measures throughout the government and business communities and see if it is possible to reach consensus on a core set of indicators.

Forecasting - An increased emphasis on sustainability will require improved quality and availability of forecasts of environmental quality, changing demographics, economic trends, public values, etc. Currently forecasting that is done in these areas is often fragmented and not well - coordinated within categories. It is also certainly not integrated into a comprehensive set of information on possible future scenarios that is readily available to state and local government decision makers, the business community and the public. The goals of work in this module would first be to identify both current forecasting programs and the types of forecasts of most use to decision makers in addressing sustainability-related questions. From this information, an agenda for enhancing the quality and availability of forecasts in the area(s) would be developed and implemented.

Analysis - Governments at all levels and businesses of all sizes need improved abilities to analyze their ideas and decisions in terms of potential impacts on environmental and ecological sustainability. There is a need to identify what tools (models, data bases, accounting systems, information systems, etc.) and related training are needed to enhance capabilities in this area. There is also a need to identify the priority issues which need comprehensive research and analysis(social science, technical, policy, etc.). From this list a comprehensive research and analysis agenda with both public and private support can be developed This module would focus on conducting these assessments and then developing and implementing programs to both develop the analytical tools and conduct the needed research.

Information Transfer - At present, those that are working to increase the focus on sustainability, whether in government, business, academia, or in other groups, are frequently working in relative isolation. Current opportunities for sharing approaches , finding out about program modules that are working (and those that are not), what peers in other government or business organizations are doing, etc. are both limited and their availability not well known. Work within this module would focus on the creation and the facilitation of information transfer opportunities. It would involve application of traditional approaches such as conferences, workshops, etc. as well as exploring establishment of peer "circuit rider" programs and the use of computerized bulletin boards to enhance networking and quick information sharing. There would also be a strong public information/participation component to the program developed under this module.

Pollution Prevention - A strong and comprehensive emphasis on pollution prevention is an essential component of moving toward sustainability. Currently there is a basic framework of state pollution prevention programs in place. Work in this module would continue to enhance program development and information transfer in this area. In addition the scope of efforts would be broadened to strengthen understanding and application of concepts like Design for the Environment and to build a stronger pollution prevention ethic into government agencies and the private sector at all levels.

Resource conservation - Effective conservation of both natural and man-made resources and materials is an essential element of any approach to sustainability. The linkages between resource conservation and long-term economic profitability and environmental protection are becoming ever more clear. Work on this module would identify, for the area under consideration, the primary conservation issues and opportunities. The various agencies and organizations involved in promoting conservation through education, technical assistance, etc. would also be identifies. Building on these current needs and conservation programs, improved coordination and program delivery approaches would be developed.

Support from Academic Institutions - The training and research skills available at public and private academic institutions area another vital resource which needs to be applied to strengthening the sustainable development infrastructure. Much good work is currently being done by these institutions that applies but there is also much untapped potential. Development of future leaders necessary to address this challenge requires that sustainable development concepts and issues be integrated into curricula in many diverse fields. The academic institutions of the area, both individually and working cooperatively together, need to explore ways to meet training needs of both new students and of current government and business leaders in this area. A priority research agenda to support movement toward sustainability needs to be developed and implemented. The work under this module will be a long-term effort to identify where the academic institutions can provide support and direction and then finding ways to make it happen.

The framework of modules outlined above may well not be complete at this point since thinking on how to address sustainability issues is evolving at all levels. Many of the suggested work elements are complementary to those in other modules and the needs and relationships will change as work progresses. For these reasons, the proposed infrastructure framework would be considered dynamic and something that will evolve and be refined over time.

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