Subnational Partnerships for Sustainable Development

This fascinating volume examines the recent increase in subnational environmental policy agreements between different countries, with a particular focus on Germany and the US. Holley Ralston explores why international environmental partnerships are forming at the state level and the factors that both aid and inhibit their long-term success.

The book begins with an in-depth analysis of the theoretical and historical frameworks of transnational partnerships, before transitioning into a discussion of specific environmental agreements between US and German states. The following partnerships are covered in detail: California and Bavaria (1995 and 2000), Wisconsin and Bavaria (1998), Maryland and Schleswig-Holstein (2002) and California and North Rhine-Westphalia (2004). Taken together, these examples provide important insights into the ways in which multi-level governance structures allow subnational actors to shape policy developments around global environmental issues.

This timely study - the first of its kind on this topic - will appeal to both academic researchers and policymakers with an interest in global environmental governance, environmental policymaking, comparative governance and the roles of individuals versus institutions.