International

Sustainability is a key policy objective for many industrialized and developing countries as well as for a variety of international organizations. EPA is engaged in many international activities aimed at advancing scientific understanding of global problems and developing innovative environmental management solutions. The agency’s Office of International Affairs (OIA) coordinates international activities across EPA programs and regions. EPA also leads the U.S. government effort to produce an annual inventory of greenhouse gas emissions and sinks as part of the U.S. commitment as a party to the UN Framework on Climate Change.

Sustainability Programs around the World

Each year many sustainability-related conferences present opportunities for national and international entities to exchange ideas and information and develop plans for coordination. In addition, many nations and regions have established and are implementing sustainability and sustainability-related programs; some of them are listed below.

The Americas

Canada (Environment Canada's Sustainable Development Strategy 2007-2009)
Latin America (Environmental and Sustainability indicators: Outlook for Latin America and the Caribbean – International Center for Tropical Agriculture)

Europe

European Union (FP7: 7th EU Research Framework Programme)
France (French Environment and Energy Management Agency)
Germany (Federal Ministry of Education and Research) (Federal Ministry of Education and Research)
Netherlands (Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency)
Switzerland (Understanding and Measuring Sustainable Development)
Sweden (Sustainable Sweden Association)
United Kingdom (Government action on sustainable development)

Asia and Oceania

China (China Sustainable Energy Program)
Japan (Japan for Sustainability – a non-profit organization)
Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) (Initiative on Environmentally Sustainable Cities)
Australia (Department of Sustainability and Environment)
New Zealand (Ministry of Economic Development)

Africa

Sustainable Africa. (This site maintained by the digital-commons project of the All Africa Foundation, presents information on over 150 African organizations. )
African Sustainable Energy: An African Business Community. A networking community for people who are professionally involved or interested in Sustainable Energy in Africa.

Sustainability in International Organizations

Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has created a Natural Resources Management and Environment Department as a new unit with a focus on sustainable development.
Global Reporting Initiative provides guidance for organizations to use as the basis for disclosure about their sustainability performances.
International Institute for Sustainable Development champions sustainable development around the world through innovation, partnerships, research, and communications.
ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability joins more than 1000 associations of local governments throughout the world, together with organizations of regional and local governments, have made a commitment to sustainable development.
Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD)makes annual contributions towards sustainable agriculture and provides links to projects and analysis on sustainable development.
UN Division for Sustainable Development is an authoritative source of expertise within the United Nations system on sustainable development.
UN Global Market Place provides access to documents, on-line tools, and links to other useful sites, projects, and initiatives on sustainable procurement developments.