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The Natural Step International
Ethos Conference
Sau Paulo June 2006
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the Natural Step
International NGO
Scientific Consensus
Framework for Strategic
Planning
Advice & Education
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the Natural Step
Vision
Our vision is of a sustainable human
society.
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the Natural Step
Core purpose
To develop a genuine commitment to, and
competence in, sustainable development
throughout society.
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the Natural Step
RESEARCH
CAPACITY
COMMUNICATION
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• Sweden
• Japan
• Australia
• U.K.
• Canada
• U.S.
• N.Z
• Brazil
• Israel
• South
Africa
• Italy
• France
• Blekinge Institute
of Technology
• Lund University
• Tampere
• British Columbia
• etc.
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TNS Teams
Academic
Partnerships
Community
Partnerships
Business
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
the Natural Step
The acceleration of sustainable
development in society ?
Trans - sector and trans-disciplinary
How to break down the barriers?
You cannot be sustainable on your own!
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the Natural Step
Innovation and the role of the business sector
Innovation needs a context
The system is the context
The system has limits
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Planning from Success
The complexity requires systems
thinking
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Natural Cycles
Open System
with respect to
energy
Closed System with
respect to matter
“Photosynthesis pays
the bills”
Slow geological cycles
- materials from the
Earth’s crust
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Sustainability is about
the ability of these
cycles to run forever.
How we influence cycles
3
4
Physically inhibit
ability of nature to
run cycles
Relatively large
flows of
materials from
the Earth’s crust
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Barriers to people
meeting their basic
needs worldwide
1
2
Introduce persistent
compounds foreign to
nature
Sustainability defined
In a sustainable society, nature is not subject
to systematically increasing:
3
1
Concentrations of substances
extracted from the earth's crust
2
Concentrations of substances
produced by society
3
Degradation by physical means
and,
in that society, people are not subject
to
4
2
1
4
The four System
Conditions
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Conditions that systematically
undermine their capacity to meet their
needs.
There is no away…
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Chemicals found in Mother’s Breast Milk
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System Condition 4
In a sustainable society, people are not subject
to…
…conditions that systematically undermine their
capacity to meet their needs.
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Human Needs
In meeting our needs we shouldn’t undermine the capacity
of others to meet their needs.
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Learning from natural systems
Social design criteria?
Self-organisation
Diversity
Interdependence
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Sustainable Development
Why should business be concerned?
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Towards a Sustainable Society
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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?
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Levels of commitment to Sustainability
•Leadership
• Integration
• Compliance +
• Compliance
• Denial
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Confused about Sustainability?
Clean Air
Community Participation
Design for
Environment
Chemical free
Renewable
resources
Waste
minimisation
Recycled content
Life supporting capacity
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Sustainability defined
In a sustainable society, nature is not subject
to systematically increasing:
3
1
Concentrations of substances
extracted from the earth's crust
2
Concentrations of substances
produced by society
3
Degradation by physical means
and,
in that society, people are not subject
to
4
2
1
4
The four System
Conditions
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Conditions that systematically
undermine their capacity to meet their
needs.
Big implications for business.
Production to stewardship
Full cost accounting
External commitment / leadership
Organisational Change
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©2002 The Natural Step: All rights reserved
Organizational Change
Personal commitment
Learning
‘Shared mental models’
Reflection and inquiry
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©2002 The Natural Step: All rights reserved
…to ”Root Causes
and Potentials”
From ”Quick Fix”…
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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
.
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Natural Systems – Complex and Unpredictable
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Sustainability - Opportunities
Opportunities for Business
• Cost Savings
• New markets and product opportunities
• Enhanced corporate image and
reputation
• Improved internal morale and
motivation. Better recruitment and
retention.
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Changing the business culture?
doing right, because it is the right thing to do,
not just good business!
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Thank You!
THE NATURAL STEP – BRASIL
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Copyright © 2004 The Natural Step
Thank You!
The Natural Step International
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www.thenaturalstep.com
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