In Pursuit of Sustainable Development New Governance Practices at the Sub-national Level

9780415419109

0415419107

The 1992 Rio Earth Summit called for global efforts to promote sustainable development in response to the deepening environmental crisis. This book explores how nation states have responded to this call by engaging with sub-national, regional and local actors. It moves beyond an implementation study to explore whether and to what extent the promotion of sustainable development acts as an organising principle for the emergence of new forms of governance practices. In Pursuit of Sustainable Development investigates these new practices at the sub-national level in EU member states and in Norway. Drawing on the fruits of several major international research projects and a specially commissioned Workshop, the contributors explore the importance of 'new governance' practices. Their findings reaffirm the crucial role played by traditional governing activity, including steering by local and national governments and by international authorities. While national legislation and policy priorities are key drivers for sustainable development, success is also dependent on ensuring the active engagement of local actors and the use of the skills and expertise found within civil society. Leading experts in the field employ their research to show how both new governance practices and traditional government interventions combine to promote and sustain real progress in pursuit of sustainable development. This book will be of interest to students and researchers of politics, development studies, geography, planning, environmental sociology and social policy.