Federations present particular challenges for environmental policy makers. They can not only provide opportunities for devolved decision-making and policy experimentation but can also act to reduce standards and inhibit coordinated action. Ecologically sustainable development presents a particular challenge because it relies on the engagement of all levels of government at both the planning and implementation stages. This paper argues that limited state engagement at the conceptualisation phases and the absence of central leadership in the intergovernmental arena in the implementation phase may help explain the failure of this bold meta-policy in changing the game at a national level.