Publications: State of the States
(current to 2001)

Entire report in PDF format (3.2 Mb)

The State of the States: Assessing the Capacity of States to Achieve Sustainable Development Through Green Planning provides the most comprehensive appraisal yet undertaken of individual state preparedness to implement sustainability as integral public policy. It does so through the lens of green planning, a widely applied sustainable development strategy. The report is part of Resource Renewal Institute’s (RRI’s) Campaign for a Sustainable Future, an education and advocacy effort aimed at ushering in a new generation of environmental achievement.

This report is divided into four sections:

I. The Imperative for State Leadership on Sustainability
Includes an introductory overview of green planning, focusing on the Netherlands and New Zealand. Discusses the potential for national green planning in the U.S., limitations in progress to date, and future barriers to progress. Sets out why action at the state level is now key to advancing the sustainable development agenda.

II. Green Plan Capacity Across the Fifty States
Analysis of the capacity of states to achieve sustainability through green planning, applying the multi-faceted Green Plan Capacity Index. Provides the GPC Index rankings of states and descriptions of the individual indicators that together make up the Index. Numerous graphics included to illustrate the standing of states and the geographic distribution of indicators.

III. States on the Green Plan Path
Individual profiles of three states making progress along the green plan path—Oregon, New Jersey, and Minnesota.

IV. Guiding States Along the Green Plan Path
Provides a summary of the essential elements of a sustainable state and a guiding set of actions and examples for states wishing to embark on the green plan path. Following these sections are extensive appendices where more detailed information can be found on the GPC Index and on the strategies being undertaken by states to address sustainable development.

Contents

Preface, Executive Summary, and Acknowledgements

I. The Imperative for State Leadership on Sustainability
   A. The Green Plan Model
   B. The Challenge of Achieving Sustainability in the United States

II. Green Plan Capacity Across the Fifty States
   A. Overview of Research Results, By State
   B. Overview of Research Results, By Factor

III. States on the Green Plan Path
   A. Oregon: Sowing the Seeds of a Green Plan
   B. New Jersey: Translating the Dutch Model
   C. Minnesota: The First U.S. Green Plan?

IV. Guiding States Along the Green Plan Path
   A. Elements of a Sustainable State
   B. Stepping Stones Toward a Sustainable State

Appendices

Appendix A: GPC Index Methodology and Data Tables

Appendix B: A Comparison of GPC Index Rankings with Existing Measures of State Environmental Quality and Socio-Economic Quality

Appendix C: State Legislation and Administrative Action

Related to Sustainable Development

Endnotes

Bibliography