Government, Public Policy, and Sustainable Business
Completion requirements
Read this chapter to find out more about the interplay between individuals, organizations, and governments in shaping public policy.
How are policies influenced? What factors affect the policy-making process? How does public policy affect innovation and sustainability practices?
3.5 Environmental and Energy Policies
Key Takeaways
- Modern US environmental policy began in the late 1960s and early 1970s as a reaction to rising levels of air and water pollution and featured the creation of the Environmental Protection Agency and passage of the Clean Air and Clean Water Act.
- The United States does not have any type of federal public policy in place to reduce greenhouse gas emissions or a national RPS. Many US states have developed programs to fill in the gap occurring at the federal level.
- The United States is the second largest emitter of GHG emissions in the world, only surpassed by China.
- European and Asian countries have more progressive policies in regards to energy use and climate change and are emerging as leaders in clean technology as a result.