Copyright © 2004 The Natural Step The Natural Step International Ethos Conference Sau Paulo June 2006
Copyright © 2004 The Natural Step the Natural Step International NGO Scientific Consensus Framework for Strategic Planning Advice & Education
Copyright © 2004 The Natural Step the Natural Step Vision Our vision is of a sustainable human society.
Copyright © 2004 The Natural Step the Natural Step Core purpose To develop a genuine commitment to, and competence in, sustainable development throughout society.
Copyright © 2004 The Natural Step the Natural Step RESEARCH CAPACITY COMMUNICATION
Copyright © 2004 The Natural Step Business Partnerships Academic Partnerships Brazil Israel South Africa Italy France TNS Teams Sweden Japan Australia U.K. Canada U.S. N.Z Community Partnerships Svenska kommuner China (LEAD, CBCSD) Lisbon Energy Agency Pittsburgh (Heinz Endowment) Canada (FCM, Whistler, Canmore, Halifax, etc) Norsk Hydro PVC alternatives Lantmännen Scandic Skanska Water Jet etc Blekinge Institute of Technology Lund University Tampere British Columbia etc.
Copyright © 2004 The Natural Step the Natural Step Trans - sector and trans-disciplinary How to break down the barriers? You cannot be sustainable on your own! The acceleration of sustainable development in society ?
Copyright © 2004 The Natural Step the Natural Step Innovation and the role of the business sector Innovation needs a context The system is the context The system has limits
Copyright © 2004 The Natural Step The complexity requires systems thinking Planning from Success
Copyright © 2004 The Natural Step Closed System with respect to matter Slow geological cycles - materials from the Earth’s crust Sustainability is about the ability of these cycles to run forever. “Photosynthesis pays the bills” Natural Cycles Open System with respect to energy
Copyright © 2004 The Natural Step How we influence cycles Relatively large flows of materials from the Earth’s crust 1 Physically inhibit ability of nature to run cycles 3 Introduce persistent compounds foreign to nature 2 4 Barriers to people meeting their basic needs worldwide
Copyright © 2004 The Natural Step Concentrations of substances extracted from the earth's crust Concentrations of substances produced by society Degradation by physical means and, in that society, people are not subject to Conditions that systematically undermine their capacity to meet their needs. In a sustainable society, nature is not subject to systematically increasing: Sustainability defined The four System Conditions
Copyright © 2004 The Natural Step There is no away…
Copyright © 2004 The Natural Step Chemicals found in Mother’s Breast Milk
Copyright © 2004 The Natural Step
In a sustainable society, people are not subject to… …conditions that systematically undermine their capacity to meet their needs. System Condition 4
Copyright © 2004 The Natural Step Human Needs In meeting our needs we shouldn’t undermine the capacity of others to meet their needs.
Copyright © 2004 The Natural Step Self-organisation Diversity Interdependence Learning from natural systems Social design criteria?
Copyright © 2004 The Natural Step Sustainable Development Why should business be concerned?
Copyright © 2004 The Natural Step Towards a Sustainable Society
Copyright © 2004 The Natural Step What does this mean for business? From multi-national monsters to globally integrated enterprise? From corporate greed to corporate citizen? From single-minded competition to smart cooperation?
Copyright © 2004 The Natural Step Levels of commitment to Sustainability Integration Compliance + Compliance Denial Leadership
Copyright © 2004 The Natural Step ISO14001 Triple bottom line reporting Cleaner Production natural Recycled content Life Cycle Analysis Zero waste Renewable resources Ecological Footprint Sustainability Analysis Chemical free Life supporting capacity for future generations Clean Water Clean Air Waste minimisation Design for Environment Design for Disassembly EECA Cylinder Wraps Ecoefficiency Community Participation Agenda 21 Confused about Sustainability?
Copyright © 2004 The Natural Step Concentrations of substances extracted from the earth's crust Concentrations of substances produced by society Degradation by physical means and, in that society, people are not subject to Conditions that systematically undermine their capacity to meet their needs. In a sustainable society, nature is not subject to systematically increasing: Sustainability defined The four System Conditions
Copyright © 2004 The Natural Step ©2002 The Natural Step: All rights reserved Big implications for business. Production to stewardship Full cost accounting External commitment / leadership Organisational Change
Copyright © 2004 The Natural Step Organizational Change ©2002 The Natural Step: All rights reserved Personal commitment Learning ‘Shared mental models’ Reflection and inquiry
Copyright © 2004 The Natural Step …to ”Root Causes and Potentials” From ”Quick Fix”…
Copyright © 2004 The Natural Step Forces Affecting Business Natural System - Scarcity of resources and increased cost of inputs. Government – Regulation and Policy Financial Institutions – Cost of capital and perceived investor risk – insurance costs Consumers – and NGO’s demands.
Copyright © 2004 The Natural Step Natural Systems – Complex and Unpredictable
Copyright © 2004 The Natural Step Sustainability - Opportunities Cost Savings New markets and product opportunities Enhanced corporate image and reputation Improved internal morale and motivation. Better recruitment and retention. Opportunities for Business
Copyright © 2004 The Natural Step Changing the business culture? doing right, because it is the right thing to do, not just good business!
Copyright © 2004 The Natural Step Thank You! THE NATURAL STEP – BRASIL Rua Lisboa, 328 – CEP SÃO PAULO/SP PHONE FAX
Copyright © 2004 The Natural Step The Natural Step International Garvargatan 9C SE Stockholm Sweden Thank You!