Governing Sustainability

The crisis of unsustainability is, above all else, a crisis of governance. The transition to a more sustainable world will inevitably require radical changes in the actions of all governments, and it will call for significant changes to the lifestyles of individuals everywhere. Bringing together some of the world's most highly regarded experts on governance and sustainable development, this book examines these necessary processes and consequences across a range of sectors, regions and other important areas of concern. It reveals that the governance of sustainable development is politically contested, and that it will continue to test existing governance systems to their limits. As an assessment of existing policy practices, it will be of great interest to all those who are preparing themselves - or their organisations - for the sustainability transition.

'This collection offers some hugely stimulating insights … and in the process, unashamedly puts the emphasis where it now needs to be: we now know (more or less) what we need to do to secure a sustainable world, but how the hell are we going to do it?' Jonathon Porritt CBE, Chairman of the UK Sustainable Development Commission, 'This smart and erudite collection problematizes 'environmental governance' and 'sustainability'. By identifying the multiple approaches to these key terms, the authors advance our collective efforts at refining the concepts and ultimately achieving sustainability.' Peter M. Haas, University of Massachusetts, 'Neil Adger and Andrew Jordan have brought together an outstanding set of authors who offer an excellent overview of governance and sustainable development. This is an important book for all scholars interested in our common future.' Elinor Ostrom, Indiana University, 'Our understandings of citizenship, governance, and government have evolved with the rise of understanding in ecological complexity, the desire for sustainability, and the contradictory but parallel rise of market ideology. All will continue to change with the demise of market fundamentalism, rise of pragmatism, and renewed faith in government. Governing Sustainability deeply explores the past and helps prepare us to both design and adapt with the future.' Richard B. Norgaard, University of California, Berkeley

Neil Adger is Professor of Environmental Economics at the University of East Anglia. Andrew Jordan is Professor of Environmental Politics at the University of East Anglia.