The Natural Step Framework

	Upcoming Events March 6, 2008- Workshop Sustainability Using The Natural Step Framework This one-day program, presented in two parts, is designed to introduce business, government, and community leaders to sustainability and The Natural Step framework. In the morning, a presentation will define sustainability and present the basic principles of The Natural Step (TNS) framework including the science behind the framework model and case studies. Register>		What is The Natural Step framework? The Natural Step (TNS) is a framework grounded in natural science that serves as a guide for businesses, communities, educators, government entities, and individuals on the path toward sustainable development. The Natural Step framework encourages dialogue, consensus building, and systems-thinking (key processes of organizational learning) and creates the conditions for profound change to occur. It does not prescribe or condemn other approaches but rather introduces and expands on new possibilities. From a business perspective, The Natural Step framework enables corporations to intelligently, and profitably, integrate environmental considerations into strategic decisions and daily operations. The Natural Step framework has inspired the growth of an international network of non-profit, educational organizations working together to build a sustainable society. Oregon Natural Step Network is a leading regional organization in this worldwide effort. How did The Natural Step framework begin? The Natural Step framework was developed in Sweden by oncologist Dr. Karl-Henrik Robèrt in 1989. Frustrated by the piecemeal approach to addressing environmental problems that he saw around him, Dr. Robèrt brought leading Swedish scientists together to develop a consensus on requirements for a sustainable society. These findings, based on systems reflected in natural cycles, have become the backbone of a framework called The Natural Step. Today, 60 major Swedish corporations and 56 municipalities have adopted Natural Step principles. In 1996, Paul Hawken, founder of Smith and Hawken, took the lead in forming The Natural Step U.S. Companies in Oregon that have embraced The Natural Step framework include, Ashforth Pacific, BOORA Architects, Nike, Norm Thompson, The Collins Companies, Neil Kelly, Rejuvenation, Progressive Investment Management, and College Housing Northwest. Today, The Natural Step framework is being implemented in seven countries. How does The Natural Step framework benefit organizations? Leaders who adopt The Natural Step framework are committed to improving their operations with the goal of long-term sustainability. They are constantly re-thinking and re-creating their organizations to be more innovative, strategic, and effective. The Natural Step framework provides a way for leaders to see "risks" as new opportunities for success. By adding a new dimension of purpose to day-to-day operations, individuals who are employed by and involved with participating organizations often have high morale and a renewed sense of commitment to their work. Today's leaders use The Natural Step framework to: reduce operating costs and environmental risk get ahead of regulatory frameworks enhance their organization's standing among stakeholders incorporate environmental concerns into the workplace differentiate their products and services and build a positive brand image How are organizations using The Natural Step framework? Companies and organizations that are embracing The Natural Step framework have already started innovating and incorporating sustainable practices into their methodologies and objectives. Here are just a few examples of the positive steps companies around the world are taking…. The Collins Companies (Collins Pine Company) (Oregon/U.S.) Collins Pine Company, a 143-year-old Northwest forest products firm, was the first Oregon company to adopt the TNS framework. With a long history of sound stewardship, Collins Pine has discovered that TNS provides a logical framework for all of its operations. Its first accomplishment was to train the 600 employees in its Klamath Falls composite-panel plant in Natural Step principles. Collins has also established methods for evaluating capital expenditures based on the four system conditions and is working on more decision-making and measurement methods. Electrolux (Sweden) Sweden-based Electrolux adopted the TNS framework after it lost a multi-million-dollar deal because it did not offer a refrigeration system without chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs). The company used TNS principles to phase out CFCs and won back that customer. But it didn't stop at refrigerators. It has introduced washing machines that use 12 gallons of water instead of 45, and substituted canola oil for petroleum-based oil in its chain saws -- all while reducing total energy consumption and hazardous waste. IKEA (Sweden) This Swedish company, the largest furniture company in the world, adopted the TNS framework in 1991 in response to consumer pressure against rain-forest wood. Its four-year environmental plan called for implementing the TNS framework throughout the company. IKEA began its TNS journey by redesigning one furniture line to eliminate metals, persistent glues, and toxic dyes, reducing energy consumption and increasing material efficiency. By applying this experience company-wide, IKEA is becoming more profitable. Interface (U.S.) Georgia-based Interface, the world's largest commercial-flooring company, became the first U.S. company to adopt the TNS framework. The goal of CEO Ray Anderson is to produce zero waste and to "never take another drop of oil from the ground." Innovations include leasing carpets instead of selling them and powering a factory with solar energy. Design and manufacturing improvements have saved the company approximately $50 million. Sales have grown $200 million, topping $1 billion, without increasing consumption of the earth's resources. Nike (Oregon/U.S.) Nike, an Oregon-based athletic apparel company, is integrating the notion of sustainability throughout its business operations. Nine out of ten Nike shoes are now put together with water-based adhesives rather than petrochemical-based solvents, eliminating 1.2 million gallons of toxics and improving the safety of workers--all while saving Nike $4.5 million. What are The Natural Step's Four System Conditions? 1. In order for a society to be sustainable, nature's functions and diversity are not systematically subject to increasing concentrations of substances extracted from the earth's crust. In a sustainable society, human activities such as the burning of fossil fuels, and the mining of metals and minerals, will not occur at a rate that causes them to systematically increase in the ecosphere. There are thresholds beyond which living organisms and ecosystems are adversely affected by increases in substances from the earth's crust. Problems may include an increase in greenhouse gases leading to global warming, contamination of surface and ground water, and metal toxicity which can cause functional disturbances in animals. In practical terms, the first condition requires society to implement comprehensive metal and mineral recycling programs and to decrease economic dependence on fossil fuels. 2. In order for a society to be sustainable, nature's functions and diversity are not systematically subject to increasing concentrations of substances produced by society. In a sustainable society, humans will avoid generating systematic increases in persistent substances such as DDT, PCBs, and freon. Synthetic organic compounds such as DDT and PCBs can remain in the environment for many years, bio-accumulating in the tissue of organisms and causing profound deleterious effects on predators in the upper levels of the food chain. Freon, and other ozone depleting compounds, may increase risk of cancer due to added UV radiation in the troposphere. Society needs to find ways to reduce economic dependence on persistent human-made substances. 3. In order for a society to be sustainable, nature's functions and diversity are not systematically impoverished by physical displacement, over-harvesting, or other forms of ecosystem manipulation. In a sustainable society, humans will avoid taking more from the biosphere than can be replenished by natural systems. In addition, people will avoid systematically encroaching upon nature by destroying the habitat of other species. Biodiversity, which includes the great variety of animals and plants found in nature, provides the foundation for ecosystem services which are necessary to sustain life on this planet. Society's health and prosperity depends on the enduring capacity of nature to renew itself and rebuild waste into resources. 4. In a sustainable society, people are not subject to conditions that systematically undermine their capacity to meet their needs. All human beings have intrinsic needs. The goal of the social system is to provide the opportunity for all to meet those needs, as a precondition to a dignified way of life for everyone. “What” we do and “how” we do it matters. To make decisions which take us toward this goal, in consideration of any policy, product, marketing or investment, we should always identify in advance the people who are going to be affected, taking the widest possible systems view. We should ask ourselves: "Would we like to be subjected to the conditions we create?” In addition, the manner in which we make these decisions should allow for participation, be transparent, hold actors accountable and be honest.

Upcoming Events

March 6, 2008- Workshop

Sustainability Using The Natural Step Framework

This one-day program, presented in two parts, is designed to introduce business, government, and community leaders to sustainability and The Natural Step framework. In the morning, a presentation will define sustainability and present the basic principles of The Natural Step (TNS) framework including the science behind the framework model and case studies.

What is The Natural Step framework?

The Natural Step (TNS) is a framework grounded in natural science that serves as a guide for businesses, communities, educators, government entities, and individuals on the path toward sustainable development.

The Natural Step framework encourages dialogue, consensus building, and systems-thinking (key processes of organizational learning) and creates the conditions for profound change to occur. It does not prescribe or condemn other approaches but rather introduces and expands on new possibilities.

From a business perspective, The Natural Step framework enables corporations to intelligently, and profitably, integrate environmental considerations into strategic decisions and daily operations.

The Natural Step framework has inspired the growth of an international network of non-profit, educational organizations working together to build a sustainable society. Oregon Natural Step Network is a leading regional organization in this worldwide effort.

How did The Natural Step framework begin?

The Natural Step framework was developed in Sweden by oncologist Dr. Karl-Henrik Robèrt in 1989. Frustrated by the piecemeal approach to addressing environmental problems that he saw around him, Dr. Robèrt brought leading Swedish scientists together to develop a consensus on requirements for a sustainable society. These findings, based on systems reflected in natural cycles, have become the backbone of a framework called The Natural Step. Today, 60 major Swedish corporations and 56 municipalities have adopted Natural Step principles.

In 1996, Paul Hawken, founder of Smith and Hawken, took the lead in forming The Natural Step U.S. Companies in Oregon that have embraced The Natural Step framework include, Ashforth Pacific, BOORA Architects, Nike, Norm Thompson, The Collins Companies, Neil Kelly, Rejuvenation, Progressive Investment Management, and College Housing Northwest.

Today, The Natural Step framework is being implemented in seven countries.

How does The Natural Step framework benefit organizations?

Leaders who adopt The Natural Step framework are committed to improving their operations with the goal of long-term sustainability. They are constantly re-thinking and re-creating their organizations to be more innovative, strategic, and effective. The Natural Step framework provides a way for leaders to see "risks" as new opportunities for success. By adding a new dimension of purpose to day-to-day operations, individuals who are employed by and involved with participating organizations often have high morale and a renewed sense of commitment to their work.

Today's leaders use The Natural Step framework to:

reduce operating costs and environmental risk
get ahead of regulatory frameworks
enhance their organization's standing among stakeholders
incorporate environmental concerns into the workplace
differentiate their products and services and build a positive brand image

How are organizations using The Natural Step framework?

Companies and organizations that are embracing The Natural Step framework have already started innovating and incorporating sustainable practices into their methodologies and objectives. Here are just a few examples of the positive steps companies around the world are taking….

The Collins Companies (Collins Pine Company) (Oregon/U.S.)
Collins Pine Company, a 143-year-old Northwest forest products firm, was the first Oregon company to adopt the TNS framework. With a long history of sound stewardship, Collins Pine has discovered that TNS provides a logical framework for all of its operations. Its first accomplishment was to train the 600 employees in its Klamath Falls composite-panel plant in Natural Step principles. Collins has also established methods for evaluating capital expenditures based on the four system conditions and is working on more decision-making and measurement methods.

Electrolux (Sweden)
Sweden-based Electrolux adopted the TNS framework after it lost a multi-million-dollar deal because it did not offer a refrigeration system without chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs). The company used TNS principles to phase out CFCs and won back that customer. But it didn't stop at refrigerators. It has introduced washing machines that use 12 gallons of water instead of 45, and substituted canola oil for petroleum-based oil in its chain saws -- all while reducing total energy consumption and hazardous waste.

IKEA (Sweden)
This Swedish company, the largest furniture company in the world, adopted the TNS framework in 1991 in response to consumer pressure against rain-forest wood. Its four-year environmental plan called for implementing the TNS framework throughout the company. IKEA began its TNS journey by redesigning one furniture line to eliminate metals, persistent glues, and toxic dyes, reducing energy consumption and increasing material efficiency. By applying this experience company-wide, IKEA is becoming more profitable.

Interface (U.S.)
Georgia-based Interface, the world's largest commercial-flooring company, became the first U.S. company to adopt the TNS framework. The goal of CEO Ray Anderson is to produce zero waste and to "never take another drop of oil from the ground." Innovations include leasing carpets instead of selling them and powering a factory with solar energy. Design and manufacturing improvements have saved the company approximately $50 million. Sales have grown $200 million, topping $1 billion, without increasing consumption of the earth's resources.

Nike (Oregon/U.S.)
Nike, an Oregon-based athletic apparel company, is integrating the notion of sustainability throughout its business operations. Nine out of ten Nike shoes are now put together with water-based adhesives rather than petrochemical-based solvents, eliminating 1.2 million gallons of toxics and improving the safety of workers--all while saving Nike $4.5 million.

What are The Natural Step's Four System Conditions?

1. In order for a society to be sustainable, nature's functions and diversity are not systematically subject to increasing concentrations of substances extracted from the earth's crust.

In a sustainable society, human activities such as the burning of fossil fuels, and the mining of metals and minerals, will not occur at a rate that causes them to systematically increase in the ecosphere. There are thresholds beyond which living organisms and ecosystems are adversely affected by increases in substances from the earth's crust. Problems may include an increase in greenhouse gases leading to global warming, contamination of surface and ground water, and metal toxicity which can cause functional disturbances in animals. In practical terms, the first condition requires society to implement comprehensive metal and mineral recycling programs and to decrease economic dependence on fossil fuels.

2. In order for a society to be sustainable, nature's functions and diversity are not systematically subject to increasing concentrations of substances produced by society.

In a sustainable society, humans will avoid generating systematic increases in persistent substances such as DDT, PCBs, and freon. Synthetic organic compounds such as DDT and PCBs can remain in the environment for many years, bio-accumulating in the tissue of organisms and causing profound deleterious effects on predators in the upper levels of the food chain. Freon, and other ozone depleting compounds, may increase risk of cancer due to added UV radiation in the troposphere. Society needs to find ways to reduce economic dependence on persistent human-made substances.

3. In order for a society to be sustainable, nature's functions and diversity are not systematically impoverished by physical displacement, over-harvesting, or other forms of ecosystem manipulation.

In a sustainable society, humans will avoid taking more from the biosphere than can be replenished by natural systems. In addition, people will avoid systematically encroaching upon nature by destroying the habitat of other species. Biodiversity, which includes the great variety of animals and plants found in nature, provides the foundation for ecosystem services which are necessary to sustain life on this planet. Society's health and prosperity depends on the enduring capacity of nature to renew itself and rebuild waste into resources.

4. In a sustainable society, people are not subject to conditions that systematically undermine their capacity to meet their needs.

All human beings have intrinsic needs. The goal of the social system is to provide the opportunity for all to meet those needs, as a precondition to a dignified way of life for everyone. “What” we do and “how” we do it matters. To make decisions which take us toward this goal, in consideration of any policy, product, marketing or investment, we should always identify in advance the people who are going to be affected, taking the widest possible systems view. We should ask ourselves: "Would we like to be subjected to the conditions we create?” In addition, the manner in which we make these decisions should allow for participation, be transparent, hold actors accountable and be honest.

Oregon Natural Step Network | 317 SW Alder Street | Suite 1050 | Portland, OR 97204 | (503) 241-1140