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Basic Information
What is sustainability? | What is EPA doing? | How can I help?
What is sustainability?
The U.S. National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 declared as its goal a national policy to "create and maintain conditions under which [humans] and nature can exist in productive harmony, and fulfill the social, economic and other requirements of present and future generations of Americans."
The most widely quoted definition internationally is the "Brundtland definition" of the 1987 Report of the World Commission on Environment and Development – that sustainability means "meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs." (EPA's Region 10 Sustainability Web site provides more information on definitions and history of "Sustainability.")
What is EPA doing?
In its early days EPA acted primarily as the nation's environmental watchdog, striving to ensure that businesses met the legal requirements in the area of pollution control. Implementing pollution control, however, also required big investments in time, money, and other resources.
Over time EPA began to develop ways to move from pollution control to pollution prevention. This effort sparked a new generation of innovative approaches to environmental protection. Market-based economic instruments – such as "cap-and-trade" programs to limit air pollution, public-private partnerships, public reporting by industry, and voluntary programs – were all implemented to help businesses not only meet environmental regulations, but exceed them.
Today, EPA aims to make sustainability the next level of environmental protection drawing on advances in science and technology, application of diverse government regulations and policies, and promoting green business practices. Two articles published in 2007 provide a history of EPA progress toward sustainability 
and a discussion of sustainability and environmental protection in the near future .
Advances in Science and Technology
Advances in scientific understanding and technology development are crucial elements of sound environmental policy, management, and regulations. EPA's Office of Research and Development (ORD) provides the scientific and technical support to EPA program and regional offices and to states and local governments. Through external grants and in-house research, ORD is working to develop knowledge, decision tools, and new technologies that can lead to long-term environmental solutions. ORD has developed and published its Sustainability Research Strategy (PDF) (72 pp, 1.37MB, About PDF).
EPA has an important role to play in promoting and verifying new technologies for sustainability. Its Environmental Technology Council (ETC) promotes the application of innovative technological solutions to environmental problems and challenges. The newly created Senior Environmental Technology Officer (SETO) is the focal point for key ETC activities; the SETO also establishes priorities, facilitates cross-agency coordination and information sharing, works with the business community and other stakeholders, and develops metrics for measuring effectiveness. The Small Business Innovation Research program of EPA's National Center for Environmental Research (NCER) awards grants to small businesses to assist them in developing and bringing to market new environmental technologies.
Government Regulations and Practices
Executive Order 13423 – Strengthening Federal Environmental, Energy, and Transportation Management (January 24, 2007). This presidential order set policy and specific goals for federal agencies to ”conduct their environmental, transportation, and energy-related activities under the law in support of their respective missions in an environmentally, economically and fiscally sound, integrated, continuously improving, efficient, and sustainable manner.
The Federal Government Sustainability Web site includes the latest information from federal agencies relevant to developing and maintaining sustainable facilities and to developing and promoting sustainable practices within their environmental programs.
Greening EPA. EPA implements a wide range of programs to reduce the environmental impact of its facilities and operations, from building new, environmentally sustainable structures to improving the energy efficiency of older buildings.
Energy Management and Conservation Program Reports (PDF). (72 pp, 2.84 MB, About PDF) EPA publishes these reports annually.
Promoting Sustainable Business Practices
Many companies are now pursuing the goal of sustainability realizing that protecting the environment makes good business sense. Many EPA programs have anticipated and contributed to advancing sustainability concepts. Several prominent EPA programs that relate to business in non-regulatory ways, emphasizing business practices ranging from raw materials and manufacturing to waste and recycling. These include several groups of sites:
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Supply chain and manufacturing programs, such as Clean Processing, Design for the Environment, Green Suppliers Network, Green Chemistry Program, Lean Manufacturing, and National Partnership for Environmental Priorities Program;
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Management and performance programs including Sector Strategies Program and Performance Track; and
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Preferential purchasing programs such as EnergyStar and WaterSense.
These programs aim to shape new ways of manufacturing and doing business that go well beyond controlling pollution to actually changing the strategic thinking of companies. Collectively they demonstrate that the next level of environmental protection will be created not just by disincentives to pollute, but also by the positive vision of sustainability that is acceptable to business operations.
How can I help?
Taking care of our environment for ourselves and future generations is a responsibility for all of us. Here are some EPA sites with suggestions and tips on how you can contribute to sustainability in your roles as a consumer and citizen – and as a steward of the environment:
Adopt Your Watershed. To encourage stewardship of the nation's water resources, EPA is leading an "Adopt Your Watershed" campaign. Through this effort, EPA challenges citizens and organizations to join us and others who are working to protect and restore our valuable rivers, streams, wetlands, lakes, ground water, and estuaries.
Concerned Citizens Resources. Become familiar with environmental issues and potential environmental and human health risks caused by pollution. Learn how you, your family, and your community can protect the environment.
Donating and Recycling Old Computer and Other Electronic Products. This site provides links to information about donation and recycling programs for computers, cell phones, and other electronic products.
Drive Wise. Driving releases harmful chemicals into the air. When, where, how, why, and what we drive all affect air pollution. These suggestions tell you how to be more environmentally friendly when you need to get somewhere.
Energy Star. "Ask for the Energy Star!" Certified products in more than 40 categories can help you to use less energy, save money, and help protect the environment.
EPA's Green Vehicle Guide. Use this guide to choose the cleanest and most fuel-efficient vehicle that meets your needs.
Fifteen Things You Can Do to Make a Difference in Your Watershed. How you can learn about, become active in, and help increase public awareness of your watershed.
Green Communities. The Green Communities Assistance Kit is a five-step process that can help communities achieve their economic, social, and environmental goals in a comprehensive way.
Green Meetings. This site provides information that can assist you to plan your meetings with minimal negative impacts on the environment.
Greenacres. This site provides descriptions and links to several resources on green landscaping.
Healthy Lawn, Healthy Environment (PDF). (19pp, 5.37MB, About PDF). You can print out this 19-page brochure on caring for your lawn in an environmentally friendly way.
How to Conserve Water and Use It Effectively.This site describes sustainable practices for residential water users, including plumbing, landscaping, and behavioral practices.
Producing Less Waste by Practicing the 3 Rs. Reduce the amount and toxicity of trash you discard. Reuse containers and products, including repairing what is broken or giving it to someone who can repair it. Recycle as much as possible, including buying products with recycled content.
Students and Sustainability. This page is designed for teachers planning to introduce the concept of sustainability into their classrooms and for students seeking assistance and guidance in their sustainable research projects.
Sustainable Landscaping (PDF). (62 pp, 8.12MB, About PDF) This slide presentation describes the "hidden impacts of gardening."
Things You Can Do. This site provides links to sites with information that individuals can use at home and at work to protect the environment and themselves, including realistic "how to" and "what to" lists concerning water and other environmental topics.
Tips for Pollution Prevention. This site explains how consumers can help to prevent pollution in their communities.
Water Efficiency. EPA’s Water Sense partnership program makes it easy for Americans to save water and protect the environment.
What You Can Do to Clean the Air. Children are at greater risk from air pollution because their lungs are still developing and they are more active outdoors. The elderly are also especially vulnerable because they often have heart or lung disease.
What You Can Do to Prevent Urban Stormwater Pollution. Bulleted lists on this site suggest how individuals and organizations can help prevent urban stormwater and other kinds of non-point source pollution.