Hi all.
I am keen to know of examples of programmes developed and implemented within the public sector to embed a 'sustainability' consciousness in to managers and staff in Government agencies. Some time ago I wrote a fairly skeletal paper on Designing Sustainability in to Government which outlined various components that would contribute to embedding the concept of sustainability and sustainable development in to the practice of Government - as in a 'whole of Government' approach to sustainability. I did this a couple of years ago in the context of working for the Green Party which at the time was in a cooperative arrangement with a Labour Government when it seemed there might have been a window of opportunity which never eventuated. I have pasted the 'contents' of the paper below to help give those interested a better overview of the project. The paper was a desktop study and used examples from - Welsh Assembly, - UK - Canada - Belgium - Sweden - various US states - the EU - Australia and of course - New Zealand
One of the key elements for me was the need for a deliberate approach to entrenching the concept of sustainable development in to the culture of government departments, something I can only liken to programmes undertaken to ensure that the public sector is 'gender-conscious' or 'equal opportunity conscious' (or in NZ conscious of the relationship with the indigenous people through the Treaty of Waitangi). As I see it, getting departmental personnel imbued with the concept of sustainability would require an active training programme focussed on getting the concept of sustainable development understood. It isn't something that will happen by osmosis. One example I came across back then was that Industry Canada provides training courses on sustainable development for its policy and programme officers. In addition, employee awareness of sustainable development was improved through engaging in organisation activities during Environment Week, monitoring there own energy and waste uses, etc. What I am keen to know if are there other examples of programmes developed and implemented to get managers and staff in Government agencies Keen to hear back from you.
Pete Davis
Designing Sustainability in to Government
1 Sustainable development and Government
2 Advisory group outside Government
2.1 Sustainable Development Commission or Advisory Group
3 Sustainable Development at Cabinet level
4 Sustainable Development watchdogs
4.1 A NZ Parliamentary Commissioner for Sustainable Development
5 Getting sustainable development established at the Departmental level
5.1 Sustainable Development Strategies
5.2 Sustainability Impact reports or Triple Bottom Line accounting for Government legislative and fiscal program..
5.3 Ensuring sustainable development is integrated in to all legislative and fiscal initiatives.
5.4 Training to improve the capacity of Departments to manage and deliver policies and programmes so that they contribute to sustainable development.
5.5 Procurement policies...
5.6 Other Departmental operations
6 SOEs, CRIs and other Crown companies - Statements of Corporate Intent, TBL and Environmental and Social reporting...
7 Investing in sustainable development - Government financial assets
7.1 NZ Superannuation Fund
7.2 Other Government financial assets
8 TBL for Local Government LATES
9 Government - commercial interface....
9.1 TBL for Government contracts
9.2 Government and Corporate Social Responsibility
10 Measuring sustainable development
10.1 Modified national accounts
10.2 Genuine measures of progress
Programmes to Develop a 'Culture Shift' in the Public Sector
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Hi Pete, it has been a long time since you posted your question - but if you happen to stop by again, I would love to see a copy of the report you mentioned (if possible).
Many thanks,
Heather
heather davis
Savanta Inc
Canada
Hi all - we had a very successful "walk the talk" programme for the public sector in New Zealand for 5 years, with 58 member agencies, called "Govt3"... but lost it in 2008 after a change in government. It covered waste, energy, procurement, transport & sustainable buildings. Basically it thrived through removing barriers for natural leaders already embedded in the agencies, creating a positive network to share skills and information, and recognising progress through annual awards. Our "lessons learned" paper is attached for anyone who may find it helpful. I'll be pleased to answer any questions on that, or hear from any of you about similar programmes running elsewhere.
Never give up! Just find another path to tread toward the same goal ;-)
Dana
Dana Peterson
Ministry for the Environment
New Zealand
Dana , thanks so much for sharing these lessons learned , we are in similar position with some great developments for a few years with 3 Green Ministers in key depts , now new Govt , IMF etc etc and Sustainability now seen as luxury !! hopefully ireland will learn its at ground level , bottom and some natural leaders struggling !
Mary Mulvey
CEO
GREENBOX/ECOTOURISM IRELAND
Republic of Ireland
Hello Pete
Thanks for your posting on embedding sustainability in government agencies. I would appreciate a copy of your paper - my address is below. In Western Australia, the State Sustainability Strategy includes actions to enhance the sustainability of government agency operations. The Sustainability Code of Practice for Government Agencies required agencies to prepare a sustainability action plan responding to a set of commitments. The commitments cover water and energy use, transport, waste management, procurement, sustainability assessment, citizen engagement and other topics. Many agencies have prepared sustainability action plans but progress with implementation is not known. Some training was offered, though resources and changes within the small sustainability unit have limited support available. A few agencies have appointed sustainability officers to implement their action plan, e.g. WA Police. The Code of Practice and agency action plans are available at: