Green local governments in Florida: assessment of sustainability performance

• Main Authors: Robert Brinkmann, Naimish Upadhyay
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Taylor & Francis Group 2010-06-01
• Series: Sustainability: Science, Practice, & Policy
• Subjects: environmental equity; sustainable development; local politics; state government agencies; benchmarks; environmental protection; socioeconomic aspects
• Online Access: http://ejournal.nbii.org/archives/vol6iss1/1002-015.upadhyay.html

The sustainability performance of local governments that adopted the Florida Green Building Coalition’s Green Local Government standard was evaluated using a web-based review and survey of 26 local governments within the context of the Three Es of environment, equity, and economic development. The results indicate that while many local governments exhibit a broad commitment to sustainability as evidenced by the inclusion of sustainability in formal documents, such efforts are not present across all government functions or departments. In addition, while local issues are often addressed, interrelated sustainability goals of equity and economic development are not clearly articulated. Most local governments in the state instead tend to focus on environmental protection through initiatives such as storm-water management improvements. Nevertheless, the use of specific benchmarking tools by Florida governments can serve as a model for other states.