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Environmental policy may refer to either the private sector or the public sector. In the public sector it generally refers to a government's use and creation of the laws, regulations, and other policy mechanisms concerning environmental issues and sustainability. In the private sector it usually refers to the compliance with those tools, or the independent development of self-regulation and rule-making that may go beyond what is required by governments.

The environmental issues generally addressed include air and water pollution, solid waste management, ecosystem management, maintenance of biodiversity, the protection of natural resources, wildlife and endangered species. Policies concerning energy or regulation of toxic substances like pesticides and many types of industrial waste are included in the topic of environmental policy.

Environmental preservation is the act of maintaining the natural state of a particular habitat. In terms of policy making this often means setting aside areas as nature reserves (otherwise known as wildlife reserves), parks, or other conservation areas. These areas usually restrict or prohibit activities that may cause damage to habitat or wildlife. Such activities may include: logging, hunting, fishing, mining and so on. Just as often legal devices such as laws and regulations may be employed, such as the Endangered Species Act in the United States, which is not dependent on designating a specific geographic area aside for conservation. A government's environmental policy will determine which areas or species, etc. are protected and how.

• Environmental science

• Tellus Institute Nonprofit environmental policy research organization.
• Resources for the Future A nonprofit and nonpartisan organization that conducts independent research -- rooted primarily in economics and other social sciences -- on environmental, energy, and natural resource issues.

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