Sustainability has become an important focus for government, civil society, and the corporate community worldwide (United Nations Environment
Programme 2011). Growing interest in addressing environmental deterioration and
associated social inequality and economic challenges is shifting focus to this important issue. The lack of fresh water and arable land, extreme weather, rising cost of
relying on fossil fuels, and poverty and regional instability are drawing attention to
the need for government intervention and policy instruments that encourage the
development of sustainable alternatives.