Sustainability and the U.S. EPA (2011) / Chapter Skim
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6 Changing the Culture in EPA
6 Changing the Culture in EPA
Pages 93-110
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From page 93... ...
Although EPA has developed significant tools and knowledge with which to implement the Sustainability Framework, further innovations and implementing transitions (long-term changes in an encompassing system that serves a basic societal function) will be necessary to meet the increasingly complex challenges it faces (Elzen and Wieczorek 2005)
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From page 94... ...
Creating a Culture of Sustainability Incorporating sustainability into EPA's mode of operation will require a shift toward a more systems-based approach that integrates multiple media, with mul tiple objectives in social, environmental, and economic pillars and considers both short-term and long-term consequences. Changing thinking within the organiza tion is a large task with responsibilities throughout the agency.
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From page 95... ...
An internal advisory group focused on sustainability during the initial phases of effecting cultural change and adopting the Sustainability Framework could be useful to the agency. This group could be part of the already functioning communication between the 10 regional administrators.
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From page 96... ...
priorities and incorporating sustainability concepts into this decision process. Incorporating sustainability into EPA operations does not require funda mentally new approaches; in many instances, simply modifying or expanding on the application of existing tools so that they are more integrative and intergenerational will be sufficient.
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From page 97... ...
noted that EPA launched its Sustainability Research Strategy "with the dual goals of advancing an understanding of biological, physical, and chemical interactions through a systems and life-cycle approach, and developing effective models, tools and metrics that enable decision makers to achieve sustainable outcomes." In this strategy, ORD laid out a strategy for sustainability research at EPA that included important elements: Our Sustainability Research Strategy rests on the recognition that sustainable environmental outcomes must be achieved in a systems-based and multimedia context that focuses on the environment without neglecting the roles of eco nomic patterns and human behavior. This recognition begets a fundamental change in research design.
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From page 98... ...
Developing alternate chemicals, new industrial processes, and new decision support tools for evaluating environmental dimensions of new chemicals and processes Human-Built Systems and Land Use: researching sustainable building • design and efficiency, management of urban systems, life cycle assess ment for building design and land use, and decision support tools for urban land development and revitalization Economics and Human Behavior: developing ecosystem valuation • methods and analyzing the role of incentives in decision making and the causes of market failures Information and Decision Making: identifying appropriate indicators • and ensuring their quality If sustainability is to become the "true North" or main vision for ORD, clearly the R&D programs and projects would need to reflect this new vision. In this context, there are key themes for ORD to consider in achieving alignment of R&D activities within the Sustainability Framework.
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From page 99... ...
An early pilot effort in the use of sustainability in a well-defined programmatic area will help facilitate change in EPA's headquarters. Successfully incorporating sustainability into any organization requires commitment from both the top down and the bottom up as both a directive and an owned initiative.
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From page 100... ...
Each of these priority BOX 6‑2 Redevelopment of Boston's Fairmont Rail Corridor: Addressing Environmental Justice Issues Through Multi‑Agency and Community Collaboration The redevelopment of Boston's Fairmont Rail Corridor provides an excellent example of the benefits of multiagency and community collaboration, along with EPA's contribution of technical assistance, some funding, and its deep expertise in requiring and overseeing industrial site cleanups across the region and the country.
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From page 101... ...
Experiences from these collaborations and placeand programmatic-based efforts will provide engineers and social, physical, and biologic scientists with new challenges for developing tools, indicators, and more fundamental research. For example, EPA has demonstrated that it can support sustainable land-use activities at the state and local level without being overly prescriptive (Box 6-4)
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From page 102... ...
Exploring fiscal and technical partnerships with other federal agencies and at the regional and local levels in all sectors will increase sustainable leveraging potential (see Box 6-5 for an example of agency collaboration to promote more sustainable approaches to roof design)
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From page 103... ...
External Cultural Change Sustainability can be promoted by EPA in its public information and educa tion programs through technical assistance, incentives, and regulatory programs to local governments and other stakeholders. A national education campaign to clarify what sustainability is and how it changes the way the nation operates would be a beneficial starting point.
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From page 104... ...
This type of dialogue will also help EPA to evaluate how it can change to aid a sustainable culture change on a broader level. EPA could also contribute to an effort in conjunction with public and private stakeholders to develop, post, and maintain a Wikipedia analogue for sustainability practices, laws, and policies at the local, state, national, and even international level.
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From page 105... ...
. Finally, it is useful for EPA to examine the extent to which its governing laws provide opportunities or obstacles to achieving sustainability.
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From page 106... ...
6.4. Recommendation: The committee recommends EPA undertake an em ployee communication and education program to produce the cultural change necessary to support the adoption of the Sustainability Framework and to enable employees at all levels to participate in its implementation.
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From page 107... ...
6.8.1. Recommendation: EPA should examine the extent to which its governing laws provide opportunities or obstacles to the achievement of sustainability.
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From page 108... ...
6.10. Key Finding: Incorporating sustainability into EPA's mode of opera tion will require a shift in thinking toward a more systems-based approach that integrates multiple media with multiple objectives in social (including health)
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From page 109... ...
CERP (Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan)
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From page 110... ...
2010. Office of Research and Development Strategic Research Directions and Integrated Transdisciplinary Research.
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