The Natural Step - Who we are and what we do - 2011

1. The Natural Step
Who We Are, What We Do
January 2011
2011 The Natural Step

2. How it all began...
• 1989 – Doctor Karl-Henrik
Robert
• The King of Sweden as Patron
• Influencing Swedish society,
and Business
• International expansion
2011 The Natural Step

3. Common approach to Economic,
Environmental, and Social Issues
Reductionism
2011 The Natural Step

4. The Natural Step Systemic Perspective
Structured overview
2011 The Natural Step

5. “The Natural Step is a Clear
Voice in the Commotion.”
”
Leif Johansson, CEO
VOLVO
2011 The Natural Step

6. The Natural Step: who are we?
• International NGO
• Scientific approach
• Holisticframework
• Strategic advice &
education
• Leadership and role
models
• Innovative tools and
services
• Networks & partnerships Celebrating 20 years advancing
sustainable development around the world!
2011 The Natural Step

7. Capacity building
Widespread capacity building in strategic
sustainable development.
Research Advisory services
Scientific discovery, application, ’Think and Do Leadership’
continual development and Pioneering new solutions
testing of methods to that provide inspiration,
accelerate real change. success stories and proof
of possibility.
Learning network
Connection of people, ideas and resources to enable cross-
sector collaboration for accelerated learning and action.
2011 The Natural Step

8. Online e-learning
2011 The Natural Step

9. Undergraduate & Master’s Courses in
partnership with universities....
1 year masters 3 month distance
2011 The Natural Step

10. Industry Courses for Business Leaders...
A cooperation between:
2011 The Natural Step

11. Website
www.thenaturalstep.org
2011 The Natural Step

12. International Research Initiative
Real Change
www.realchange.nu
Product-Service Innovation (SWE)
Business development (SWE)
…
Algae biomass (AUS)
Energy systems (SWE) Conflict resolution (IL)
Traffic systems (SWE) Industrial metal flows (USA)
Rainforest ecosystems (BRA) Green Science / Chemistry (USA)
Water management (NL)
2011 The Natural Step

13. Our Approach
• The Natural Step approach is based upon and includes:
– Scientific consensus on a definition of sustainability
– A strategic framework for practical implementation of
sustainability
– An engagement process for individuals and teams to understand
and manage change effectively
– Demonstrated success through sectors and regions, worldwide.
– A global network of inspired, committed and competent
professional and role model partner organisations providing
leadership and hope by advancing sustainable development.
2011 The Natural Step

14. Three leadership questions
Do you have a definition of sustainability?
What is your gap?
What are you doing to bridge it?
2011 The Natural Step

15. 20 Years of testing and developing a Framework
for Strategic Sustainable Development
Outcomes from our work...
green building codes synergy / aligning tools & concepts
capital investment filters systematic value-chain cooperation
sustainable purchasing practices sustainability education programs on
sustainable product design all continents
zero-waste policies Influencing whole sectors
carbon neutrality strategies
2011 The Natural Step

16. Sustainability-driven
regional planning:
since 1985
25% of Swedish
municipalities
17

17. Olympic Communities- Whistler
“This simple, science- and
systems- based framework is
the best out there. It needs to
become part of a new
common language, as well
understood worldwide as the
rules of soccer”.
Ken Melamed, Mayor of the award winning community of
Whistler, Canada,
Host of the 2010 Winter Olympics.
2011 The Natural Step

18. Uses?
The Natural Step Framework:
Helps you define a clear path to sustainability
Is scientifically tested, shared publicly and in use all around the world.
Enables organizations to make strategic, economic decisions that will take them toward
sustainability.
Advisors from The Natural Step support you in building your sustainability competence,
helping you answer tough questions like:
1. What is sustainability?
2. What challenges and opportunities do you face to get there?
3. How can you decrease the gap between the current situation and sustainability?
2011 The Natural Step

19. Examples of what we do
• Building Sustainability Awareness (e.g. Elearning, sustainability briefings, public speaking)
• Building Sustainability Competence (e.g. Certificate Courses, defining the business case for sustainability, employee
training, executive masterclasses)
• Company Sustainability Analysis (e.g. Readiness Assessment, material flow risk / opportunity assessment,
organisational capacity assessment, best practice benchmarking)
• Assessment of Markets, Products, Services and Materials (e.g. Product Sustainability Life Cycle Assessment,
integration of Sustainability within Product Innovation Processes)
• Sustainability Integration within business processes (e.g. Vision and Strategy Development, planning,
management systems, monitoring and reporting )
• Sustainability Projects (e.g. climate strategy, strategic sustainability communications, employee engagement programs,
sustainability indexes, tool development etc.)
• Value Chain Collaboration ( e.g. customer and supplier engagement, industry-wide education programs)
• Cross-Sector Initiatives (e.g. stakeholder forums, applied sustainability research, networking)
2011 The Natural Step

20. Business Partners and Collaborators
2011 The Natural Step

21. What others say...
“The whole world has dreamt about a solid definition of
sustainability that would allow systematic step-by-step
planning. When the definition arrived, delivered by The
Natural Step, it was remarkable to see how simple it was.
Why hadn’t anybody thought about it before?”
Paul Hawken, Author. The Ecology of Commerce, Natural
Capitalism and Blessed Unrest
2011 The Natural Step

22. What others say...
“The TNS framework is the most rigorous, scientifically-based,
and practical sustainability methodology on the planet.”
- Bob Willard, author of the Sustainability Champions Guidebook, The
Sustainability Advantage and The Next Sustainability Wave, and 6-year TNS Canada
Board Member
2011 The Natural Step

23. Business Example: Nike
“What really impressed me working with [TNS] was their ability
to take the principles of sustainability, understand the business
model they were being plugged into and come up with clear and
concise statement of what that means for the business.”
Jim Goddard, Director of Considered Innovation, Nike.
2011 The Natural Step

24. Business Example: Interface
Interface
“As we climb mount Sustainability, with the four
sustainability principles at the top, we are doing
better than ever on bottom line business. This is
not at the cost of social or ecological systems,
but at the cost of our competitors who still
haven’t got it”.
Portland US, October 2007, Ray Andersson, President, Founder and CEO, Interface. Inc.
2011 The Natural Step

25. Electrolux
"It was not until at least ten years later, we understood
how much money Electrolux had saved and earned from
applying the TNS Framework to foresee changes on
markets and legislation".
Leif Johansson, CEO Volvo and former CEO Electrolux
2011 The Natural Step

26. Educating 55.000 employees…
Our approach to
sustainability is
based on the
model set out in
The Natural Step
IKEA
2011 The Natural Step

27. Contacts
The Natural Step Global Network - Italy Branch
Via Malpighi 1 - 20129 - Milano
Eric Ezechieli–President
eric.ezechieli@thenaturalstep.org
Phone: + 39 02 898 668 22
Mobile: +39 348 60 600 60
Helping you take strategic steps toward sustainability
Research for Real Change | Training for Leaders | Coaching for Role Models | A Movement for Change
www.thenaturalstep.org
2011 The Natural Step