To standardize decision making and ensure consistency with the Sustainable Development Principles, the administration should develop a sustainable development policy checklist that must be completed and submitted to the Governor’s Office whenever a new program is contemplated.  In addition, the Commonwealth needs to review all of its policies to ensure that the Sustainable Development Principles are being followed by programs currently in existence.  These sustainable development consistency reviews should assess positive and negative sustainable development impact, and should be applied to any decision, program, or investment that is related to or affects areas covered by the Sustainable Development Principles.

This sustainable development consistency review cannot be completed by the Administration or by advocates alone.  The Governor should name a panel to review current policies and recommend changes necessary to promote the Sustainable Development Principles.  Membership should include representatives from the Governor’s office and each related agency, the regional planning agencies, and representatives of advocacy or research organizations who can bring diverse skills and perspectives to the work.

16.a    The Governor should issue an Executive Order mandating administration-wide application of the Sustainable Development Principles

16.b    In coordination with the Governor’s office and related agencies, the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs should develop a Sustainable Development Policy checklist

16.c    In coordination with the Governor’s office and related agencies, the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs should develop a Sustainable Development consistency review

Add Comment