Big Goals but Biggers Barriers? Tracing Participation in a Local Voluntary Environmental Program
Abstract
Voluntary environmental programs have emerged as an alternative to traditional regulation. Essentially, they encourage participants to adopt environmental friendlier practices without top-down regulations, often through a variety of inducements such as recognition and marketing to cost-savings. That said, such programs confront a range of barriers. Drawing on a 2022 mixed method barrier analysis of Climatewise, a voluntary program administered by the city of Fort Collins, Colorado in partnership with the Sustainable Living Association, we assess the barriers to participation with an eye toward equity. By understanding these barriers, voluntary programs can be designed to be inclusive.
Department(s)
Political Science and Philosophy
Document Type
Article
DOI
10.1007/s11115-025-00916-y
Keywords
Climate change, Collaboration, Environmental justice, Local government, Voluntary environmental program
Publication Date
12-1-2025
Recommended Citation
McKnight, Steven P.; Fisk, Jonathan M.; Falbo, Kellie; Crayton, Mac-Jane; and Morris, John C., "Big Goals but Biggers Barriers? Tracing Participation in a Local Voluntary Environmental Program" (2025). Faculty Scholarship. 92.
https://bearworks.missouristate.edu/articles00/92
Journal Title
Public Organization Review
