The Natural Step

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The Natural Step

• A Global
• Framework
• for Sustainable Development

11/25/00
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The Purpose of The Natural Step

• To develop and share a common framework comprised
  of easily understood, scientifically-based
  principles that can serve as a compass to guide
  society toward a just and sustainable future.

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History of The Natural Step
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Beginnings The Karl-Henrik Robert Story
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The Character of Environmental Problems has
changed

• Local --------------------------------------
  Global
• Few Large Sources ---------- Diffuse Sources
• Short Time Delay ----------- Long Time Delay
• Low Complexity ------------- High Complexity

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The Development of Life
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The Natural Cycle
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Our PresentUnsustainable Society
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The Sustainable Society
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Science Principles

• Matter and Energy cannot be created or destroyed
  (the Conservation Law, or 1st Law of
  Thermodynamics)
• Matter and Energy tend to spread spontaneously
  (Entropy, or the 2nd Law of Thermodynamics)
• Biological and Economic value (quality) is in
  concentration and structure (order) of matter
  (this is what we consume)
• Green cells are essentially the only natural net
  producer of concentration and structure
  (Photosynthesis)

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A Systems Perspective Emphasizes

• Focusing upstream
• Principles rather than details
• Shared framework and a common language
• Necessary (non-negotiable) system conditions

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System Condition No. 1

• Substances from the Earths crust must not
  systematically increase in the biosphere.
• This means fossil fuels, metals and other
  minerals must not be extracted at a rate faster
  than their redeposit and reincorporation into the
  Earths crust.

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System Condition No. 2

• Substances produced by society must not
  systematically increase in nature.

This means substances must not be produced
faster than they can be broken down and be
reintegrated into the cycles of nature or be
deposited into the Earths crust.
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System Condition No. 3

• The physical basis for the productivity and
  diversity of nature must not be systematically
  deteriorated.
• This means the productive surfaces of nature
  must not be diminished in quality or quantity,
  and we must not harvest more from nature than can
  be recreated or renewed.

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System Condition No. 4

• There needs to be fair and efficient use of
  resources with respect to meeting human needs.
• This means basic human needs must be met with
  the most resource efficient methods possible,
  including equitable resource distribution.

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Four System Conditions

• Substances from the Earths crust must not
  systematically increase in the biosphere.
• Substances produced by society must not
  systematically increase in nature.
• The physical basis for the productivity and
  diversity of nature must not be systematically
  deteriorated.
• There needs to be fair and efficient use of
  resources with respect to meeting human needs.

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The Concept of the Funnel
Natural Capacity Decline in Living Systems
?
DemandPopulation x Affluence x Technology
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Hitting the Wall
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Investing for the Future
A defensive enterprise is forced to implement
changes at a later stage at higher cost.
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Sustainable Future
Capacity and quality of

• Water, oceans and fisheries

• Arable Land

• Climatic stability

• Capacity of environment to absorb waste

• Forest Cover capacity to fix CO2

• Food

Sustainability
Today
Need and Demand
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Applying the System Conditions

• How can we reduce our dependence on mining and
  fossil fuels?
• How can we reduce our dependence on persistent,
  unnatural substances?
• How can we reduce our dependence on
  nature-consuming activities?
• How can we increase our resource efficiency(do
  more with less)?

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Applying the System Conditions
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Applying The Natural Step to Business

• The economy and the environment are linked.
• It has long been held that the environment is a
  subsidiary of the economy.
• It is now becoming understood that the economy is
  really a subset of the environment.
• Natures limits have consequences.
• Understanding these limits allows for more
  effective planning.
• Such planning results in ecological benefits and
  long-term competitive advantage.

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Corporate Adopters of TNS
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Electrolux

• Largest appliance maker in the world.
• Initially pressured by a large customer.
• Now TNS is part of corporate strategy.
• Sales of environmental appliances has doubled.

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IKEA

• Largest furniture company in the world.
• Educating 25,000 employees worldwide.
• Developed a four year plan.
• Created a furniture line that meets all system
  conditions.

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Interface

• Worlds largest commercial floor covering
  company.
• First U.S. company to adopt TNS principles.
• Goals Zero waste no oil from the ground.
• Saved 25 million in first two years.

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Collins Pine

• 143-year old NW forest products firm.
• Long history of sustainable forestry practices.
• Training 600 Klamath Falls employees.
• Using TNS principles for all capital purchases.

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Company Best Practices

• Best start senior management commitment.
• Educate all employees.
• Start with low hanging fruit.
• Incorporate into long-term planning.
• Set measure long-term goals.

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The Evolution of TNSin a Company

• Awareness - That the environment is now
  inseparable from competitiveness and success.
• Knowledge - Number one measure of success is
  employee education. The more people educated, the
  greater the success of the program.
• Practice - If it doesnt reach this level, it is
  a failure but TNS must not tell companies what
  to do, or it becomes just an organizational or
  management consultant.
• Goals metrics - If it isnt measured it wont
  count. But if only outflows are measured,
  environmental metrics will not lead to
  environmental success. (ISO 14000, EMAS, BS 7750)

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Who Controls the Flows?
All companies have two flows. 35,000
environmental managers.
less efficient
Energy Matter
Product / Service
Waste
Energy Matter
more efficient
Product / Service
Waste
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SUMMARY Where to go from here

• Use the system conditions as a compass.
• Leave implementation up to each grouplet their
  expertise prevail.
• Recognize that this is the Natural Step not the
  Natural Leap look for small wins.
• Have the courage to start the journey.