The Concept of The Natural Step Essay Example

be effectively stored. The growing global population requires more resources, further straining the ecosystem's capacity to handle waste. Failing to establish a sustainable society will eventually hinder businesses. To achieve a sustainable future, it is essential to restore cyclical processes where waste becomes new resources for either society or nature. Overcoming this challenge and increasing the chances of sustainability requires recognizing ecosystem limitations and striving towards fulfilling four system conditions established by Dr.Karl Henrik as a guiding framework. The concepts and methodology of The Natural Step demonstrate how sustainability can be achieved based on the fundamental laws of thermodynamics. These four system conditions provide a foundation for discussing sustainable human activities rooted in first-order principles.
Extensive research has been conducted on the potential harm or degradation of the ecological system caused by human activities. The goal is to ensure sustainability in our society. It should be noted that the four system conditions do not prescribe specific actions for companies, but rather outline essential principles to achieve sustainability. These principles include avoiding increases in substances from Earth's crust, avoiding increases in substances produced by society, preventing diminishment of nature's productivity and diversity, and meeting human needs fairly and efficiently.

By following these fundamental principles, companies receive guidance on progressing towards sustainability. The Natural Step acts as a mentor for organizations aiming to address sustainable development. They have collaborated with various companies such as Air BP, Scandic Hotels, Nike Europe, Co-operative Bank, DuPont, Carillion, HP Bulmer, Interface Microsystems Tarmac Wessex Water Ikea Yorkshire Water.

Many companies are partnering with The Natural Step and organizing seminars and workshops for their employees to educate them about sustainability and necessary methods to achieve

it.Through workshops, a shared understanding of the principles essential for a sustainable future is effectively promoted. In today's business landscape, companies face pressure from government entities and consumers to be more environmentally and socially responsible. When making decisions about future growth, businesses must consider the social, economic, and environmental impacts associated with each choice. Managing their environmental impact in a way that contributes to a sustainable future is crucial for businesses; failing to do so puts their own existence at risk. It is vital to meet current human needs without depleting the Earth's ability to provide for future generations. While sustainability is desirable, its complex implications make it challenging to achieve. Resolving societal and environmental problems requires reevaluating our interactions with the environment. To address these concerns, many companies have implemented various practices that demonstrate their commitment towards sustainability using The Natural Step framework. Businesses recognize the connection between the economy and the environment, understanding that adhering to nature's limits can improve profitability and competitiveness.Acknowledging the significance of environmentally sustainable decisions and compliance with environmental legislation like the Resource Management Act, companies are increasingly adopting environmental Management Systems aligned with international standards such as EMAS in Europe and ISO 14001 established by ISO. Many business customers require suppliers to be certified under these recognized standards. The Natural Step framework can serve as a helpful guide for businesses seeking certification under ISO 9001 and ISO 14001. For more information on applying The Natural Step principles to business, refer to "The Natural Step" book.

The implementation of ISO 14001 aims to achieve excellence by reducing waste, while ISO 9001 also strives for excellence through waste reduction. Adopting ISO

14001 results in changes in business practices. This standard consists of various clauses including General requirements, Environmental policy, Planning, Implementation and operation, checking and corrective action, and management review.

The environmental policy offers guidance for minimizing environmental degradation. It is crucial for organizations to have a management review system similar to the ISO 9000 system in place. Implementing these clauses yields numerous benefits such as improving the bottom line, increasing profits, enhancing operations and marketing efforts, ensuring regulatory compliance, and making a positive social impact.The Natural Step (TNS) is utilized by three companies - Stena Metall AB, Scandic Hotels, and Interface - to prioritize sustainability. Stena Metall AB specifically focuses on recycling materials like scrap metal and waste paper in their industrial operations. They hold environmental concerns as a top priority and have obtained certifications such as ISO 14001, EMAS, and ISO 9002. The ultimate aim for Stena Metall Group is to have all of their companies certified with ISO 14001. One division within the group, called Stena Gotthard Atervinning, was an early adopter of the TNS framework which encourages environmentally-friendly practices. As competition increases in the market for recycling and environmental services due to rising environmental demands, Stena Gotthard Atervinning chose TNS for their training because it offered a user-friendly model that allowed them to easily align daily behavior with the four system conditions. Implementing TNS in both internal training and business operations resulted in achieving zero waste goals.Waste management plays a crucial role in creating a sustainable society, and waste and recycling companies must prioritize environmental responsibility and safety. Stena Mettals demonstrates their environmental approach in two pages of their annual reports, while also

experiencing a 40% increase in gross revenues to SEK 292.8m in 1996/1997 compared to 1995/1996.

Scandic Hotels AB faced losses from 1990 to 1992 but appointed Roland Nilson as CEO to improve the company's performance. Recognizing the significance of incorporating new values such as caring for guests, workers, shareholders, the community, and the natural environment into the hotel's operations, Scandic Hotels' CEO acknowledged environmental concerns as important and made efforts to educate both management and employees about these issues.

To further promote environmental awareness, Scandic Hotels' CEO researched different values and met with Dr.Karl Henrik Robert who introduced TNS as an educational program focused on the environment. The decision was made to integrate TNS into the hotel's operations. Following training in TNS, employees provided suggestions that were discussed during meetings on various topics. Some of these suggestions were implemented afterwards.

Currently, TNS plays a vital role in how Scandic Hotels conducts their business in both present and future endeavorsScandic Hotels not only introduced TNS, but also developed a comprehensive environmental guide. This guide includes the Environmental Dialogue process, vision for 2000, environmental goals, policy, recent activities, and principles underlying the TNS framework. These principles include incorporating human activities into nature's cycle and adhering to four systems conditions.

During meetings at Scandic Hotels, discussions were held to find ways to enhance the environment. As a result of these discussions, a program was established that allows employees to suggest ideas on how they can minimize their impact as environmental networkers within the company. This program provides suggestions for implementation as well as further investigation and investment opportunities. It has been shared with both employees and guests.

Over 1500 measures have been implemented

through environmental dialogue at Scandic Hotels. They have significantly reduced their environmental impact by introducing various initiatives such as creating a room that is 97 percent recyclable. This initiative resulted in a reduction of 60 tons of plastic waste and 10 tons of metal waste.

By implementing eco-efficiency measures, Scandic Hotel has achieved significant savings and environmental benefits. For example, they switched to liquid soap dispensers which led to a reduction of 40 tons of soap usage in one year.
Furthermore, the company has implemented various measures to reduce its environmental impact. This includes using more efficient washing machines and providing bicycles for guests and staff, resulting in decreased fuel and water consumption. Additionally, low-energy bulbs have been installed in 25 percent of light sockets across common areas. These eco-friendly initiatives not only appeal to customers but also contribute to a healthier environment. Surprisingly, these efforts have actually led to higher profits for the company. Compared to 1996, their annual energy and water costs have reduced by approximately SEK 12 million (US $1.4m). This demonstrates that ecological sustainability not only improves profit margins but also provides a competitive advantage.

From 1996 to 1998, Scandic Hotel set objectives to decrease energy and water consumption by 20%, as well as unsorted waste by 20%. Remarkably, they were able to achieve impressive results with an average reduction of energy consumption per night by 12% and water consumption per guest per night by the same percentage. Waste was reduced at an even more impressive rate of 28%.

The incorporation of The Natural Step (TNS) into their strategy and practices has made environmental sustainability a key focus for Scandic Hotel. They continue to attract

customers and gain market share from competitors as a result of this approach. TNS is considered by the hotel as the most effective team building program they have discovered, utilizing internet resources and brochures about Natural Step.Scandic Hotel has become a leader in environmental sustainability within the hospitality industry due to their dedication towards eco-efficiency measures. This commitment not only benefits their bottom line but also positions them as pioneers in sustainability. Interface, a commercial floor covering manufacturer, shares this commitment and works with The Natural Step in various countries including the USA, UK, Australia, and Europe. As part of their sustainability efforts, Interface has implemented a learning and development program that encourages individuals to take responsibility, share ideas, and try new approaches without fear of failure. The main objective of this project was to provide training on sustainability to all staff members, including those working on the shop floor. To achieve this goal, Interface partnered with TNS to create a two-day training program. A selected group of employees received the initial training and then facilitated the course for their colleagues. As a result of these efforts, over 2,500 people at Interface have undergone the Natural Step training. These trained employees are now equipped to contribute innovative ideas such as implementing renewable energy generation on-site, incorporating sustainability into accounting practices, and researching alternatives to toxic chemicals used in production.
Interface has achieved several successful initiatives in waste reduction, increased use of recycled materials, and repurposing facilities. They have also implemented advanced technology to conserve energy. According to Ray Anderson's calculations, Interface extracts 1.2 billion pounds of petroleum annually for carpet production. Two-thirds of this is used

in the manufacturing process while one-third is utilized for carpet materials. Despite producing over 250 million pounds of carpet each year with a lifespan of 15 years, Interface aims to minimize landfill waste by manufacturing all carpets using recycled materials and relying on renewable energy resources. These sustainability efforts have led to increased sales and made Interface one of the first companies globally to publish sustainable reports outlining their commitment to sustainability.In recent years, Interface's turnover has experienced significant growth. Under the leadership of Ray Anderson, their revenue increased from $802m in 1995 to $1.135 billion in 1997. Anderson now realizes the need to redesign their products after attending training with TNS (The Natural Step) and comprehending the detrimental impact human activity has had on our planet. With guidance from TNS, he has identified wasteful practices both at home and work and aims to set an example by working towards sustainability goals.

TNS organizations have been established in various countries, including the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, and the Netherlands. Japan and South Africa are currently in the process of establishing their own TNS organizations.

Companies like Ikea, Scandic Hotels, Interface, and Collins Pine view the Natural Step framework as the most effective structure for understanding sustainability.

Despite being relatively new, the impact and results of TNS have not been thoroughly evaluated or widely communicated. However,"The Natural Step" book by Brian Nattrass & Mary Altomare emphasizes that business activities and offerings cause significant destruction; therefore it is essential for companies to take responsibility and move towards sustainability for society's benefit.

"The Natural Step" provides a guiding vision for companies striving to achieve sustainability. Sources for this

information include www.naturalstep.org;the book "The Natural Step for Business" by Brian Nattrass & Mary Altomare;The text below is a brochure/book written by Brian Nattrass and Mary Altomare for The Natural Step for Business.

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Discover the insightful knowledge contained in The Natural Step for Business brochure/book authored by Brian Nattrass & Mary Altomare. This publication, with its accompanying and their contents, presents valuable information for businesses interested in sustainability.