Sustaining Our Future: The Natural Step Framework As A Guide To Transforming Our Society Darcy Hitchcock
	Session:Sustaining the Future (March 14, 1:00pm)

Abstract: Many people recognize that our current society is not sustainable. As our population and economy grow, we are depleting the "natural capital" upon which our lives depend. Up until recently, it was not clear what to do about it. But thanks to the work of scientists, we now have a simple answer to the question: What would a sustainable society look like? The Natural Step framework provides a powerful guide to making better long-term decisions. This article explains the framework and also provides examples of governmental sustainability initiatives in Oregon and SW Washington. What's the Problem? On a global scale, the demands that humans are placing on the world is increasing. Population, currently around 6 billion, is expected to almost double by the middle of the next century. But the impact of population growth is compounded by rising standards of living where, for example, the Chinese are eating more animal protein and driving more cars. Mathis Wackernagel estimates that if everyone on earth lived like Americans, we'll need 6-12 more earths in the next four decades. Where, exactly, are we going to get half a dozen more earths? This human impact is having a staggering effect on the environment. Scientists agree that all major ecosystems are diminishing: fish stocks, rain forests, top soil, availability of arable land, even the air's ability to process the wastes we belch into it. Why care about the environment? Because absolutely everything we consume comes from the earth and the earth is finite. So it places some undeniable constraints on society. So we are in a funnel of sorts, being squeezed between these two global trends. We can easily envision what will happen as we move down this funnel. The cost of raw materials will rise, additional regulations will be written, customers will increase their expectations for environmental stewardship, and so forth. In fact, we are already seeing some of these actions. Lumber prices have risen dramatically; governments are under pressure to reduce CO2 emissions, and many organizations have been harassed by the media for poor environmental performance. Depending on your industry and your organization's practices, you will experience different effects, but no one will escape the squeeze. So what's an organization to do? You have two choices: you can anticipate the future and take actions now that will reduce the likelihood that you'll be affected by the impacts, or you can wait till your organization "hits the wall of the funnel" and then scramble to react. The former is obviously preferable, as it gives you time to phase in process improvements over your normal business cycles. So what's the right answer? Thanks to pioneering work of leading scientists in Sweden, we now have a framework that defines the conditions of a sustainable society. The Natural Step framework lays out four principles for sustainable development. These four "system conditions" represent the consensus of leading scientists around the world. And once you read them, you'll undoubtedly say, "I knew that." They, like the Ten Commandments, are mostly stated in the negative, providing the minimum conditions for a sustainable economy. 1) Materials from the earth's crust cannot systematically increase in the biosphere (the surface of the earth and the atmosphere—where life exists). It took billions of years for the earth to sequester nasty chemicals into the earth's crust so that life could begin. But mostly in the last century, through the use of fossil fuels, mining, and the like, we have put many of those chemicals back into the air. If this continues, the earth will become uninhabitable again. This does not necessarily mean we can't mine, for example, only that we must contain those chemicals (e.g., through recycling) so they don't become part of the biosphere. 2) Substances made by humans must not systematically increase in the biosphere. Through our technologies, we have learned how to make many substances that nature is unprepared to process, so they persist and accumulate. Two separate studies, for example, have found a wide assortment of artificial chemicals in women's breast milk. In one study, one-quarter of the women's milk was so toxic that if it were formula, it would have to be pulled from the shelves. Do you really want to feed your baby DDT or PCB's? If not, we must either find replacements for persistent artificial chemicals, products that will biodegrade, or we must find a way to contain them. For the laws of thermodynamics teach us that matter cannot be destroyed and will tend to disperse. We must also not produce more biodegradable materials (e.g., sewage and CO2) than the earth can process. 3) The physical basis for the productivity and diversity of nature must not be systematically deteriorated. Look around you. Everything you see came from the earth: the light, your computer, the stapler, the carpet, your sack lunch. Everything. Nature provides us many services for free: it purifies our water, grows our food, provides medicines, creates oxygen for us to breathe, and processes much of our waste back into nutrients. We don't know how to do these things for ourselves without nature. So we must preserve the basis of life on this planet. There are no other suitable home sites nearby. 4) We must be efficient enough to meet basic human needs. The previous three system conditions are based on hard science. But there is also a social component. The scientists believed that we cannot meet the above system conditions if we do not meet basic human needs. Poverty is related to environmental degradation. Starving Brazilian farmers will still cut down rain forest if their families are hungry and they have no other means to provide for them. Similarly, Americans will continue to drive polluting cars if they have no other way to support their families. These four system conditions were created through the normal scientific review process, over 20 review cycles. So in addition to death and taxes, you can take these four principles to the bank. You can use them at work, at home and in your community to make better decisions. Where to Start? No organizations currently meet all these system conditions. The wise leader will begin planning innovations that will bring their organization's practices more into alignment with these four system conditions. Pick the low-hanging fruit, those actions that can save or make you money now to fund future innovations. Get "more value with less stuff." Places to look: • Materials/purchasing -- Select environmentally preferable products. Build this into your contract specifications. Substitute toxic or rare materials with more benign ones. Invite your entire supply chain into a conference to look for opportunities to reduce environmental impacts. Change your relationship with suppliers so they are rewarded for saving product, not selling you more. • Energy -- there have been a lot of advances in energy related products in the last ten years, so don't assume that the upgrades you did in the 1980's are all that can be done. Look at lighting, heating, insulation, fans, motors, heat recovery systems, etc. Calculate your CO2 emissions and purchase carbon credits to offset your emissions. Read Cool Companies for ideas. • Waste streams -- Waste is something you paid for and then threw away, money down the drain. So do a waste audit and eliminate the waste at the source. Find markets for any waste you can't eliminate. Many organizations are achieving a "zero waste" strategy. Contact the Zero Waste Alliance for more information. • Transportation -- Transportation adds no value, it just moves things around. Change the physical layout to reduce transportation inside your building. Allow employees to telework to reduce commuting. Purchase supplies from local sources. Subsidize employees' use of public transportation. • Capital projects -- Whenever you plan to build a new building, purchase a building or redesign a work process, assess your choices with an eye to the entire life cycle, not just the initial cost. Resources: "Beyond Greening: Strategies for a Sustainable World," Stuart Hart, Harvard Business Review, Jan-Feb 1997 , Reprint # 97105 "I want to Pioneer the Company of the Next Industrial Revolution" (article about Interface), FastCompany, April/May 1998. "Natural Capitalism: We can create jobs, reduce taxes, shrink government, increase social spending and restore our environment." by Paul Hawken, Mother Jones, March/April 1997. Biomimicry: Innovation inspired by Nature (Janine Benyus) Living Downstream (Sandra Steingraber) Natural Capitalism (Hawken and Lovins) Oregon Natural Step Tool Kit (published by the Oregon Natural Step Network 503 725-8726) Our Ecological Footprint: Reducing Human Impact on the Earth (Wackernagel and Rees) The Last Hours of Ancient Sunlight: Waking up to personal and global transformation (Thom Hartmann) The Natural Step for Business (Nattrass and Altomare) The Sustainability Series (Darcy Hitchcock. How-to booklets for implementing sustainability inside your organization. Contact darcy@axisperformance.com for more information.) The Natural Step (US organization) (415) 561-3344 SUSTAINABILITY INITIATIVES IN OREGON AND SW WASHINGTON Efforts at the State Level Executive Order by the Governor of Oregon. Oregon is the first state to declare its intent to become sustainable in one generation: "The State of Oregon shall develop and promote policies and programs that will assist Oregon to meet a goal of sustainability within one generation - - by 2025. A number of significant steps will be necessary to achieve a sustainable future and will require the participation of all Oregonians. As an initial effort under this executive order, the State of Oregon shall focus on improving its internal operations as state government's first step toward meeting the goal of sustainability. This step is the first of many to be taken as we advance the state toward a sustainable future." Sustainability Work Group Efforts. The Governor's Sustainability Work Group formed two subgroups to examine existing and potential State efforts to: a) improve the sustainability of internal operations, and b) develop a strategy for supporting community sustainability efforts at the local level. Key issues identified by the subgroups are outlined below. Oregon Department of Administrative Services (DAS). Green Building guidelines were developed consistent with voluntary national criteria and are now being tested on a pilot basis on the 120,000 square foot North Mall Project. Many costs are expected to be lower than traditional designs, especially when evaluated over the life cycle of the structures. The guidelines are also being tested on lease agreements. Benefits could be significant when the guidelines are applied over time to all State facilities. DAS also participates in Portland General Electric's green power program. Evaluations of selected products purchased by the State are underway. A broad-based advisory council will be reporting in May 2001 to DAS on options and procedures for enhancing procurement of sustainable products. Efforts are focused on paper, office furniture, building materials, coating and cleaning products and automobiles. Issues include efficient use of natural resources, reducing the use and release of toxic materials, costs throughout a product's life cycle and competitive purchasing. Publishing and Distribution Services, with funding from the Economic and Community Development Department and in partnership with a non-profit organization, is developing an environmental management system (ISO 14001) for the Salem facility. This management system is expected to help reduce waste and improve efficiency. About a dozen Oregon companies have received certification to this international standard to date, and several other Oregon government entities are also developing similar environmental management systems. Oregon Department of Corrections. A comprehensive review of Department functions was conducted to identify opportunities for improving efficiency. Although the primary focus is on facility efficiency (reducing power and water use), teams are also evaluating actions ranging from reducing deadheading (trucks carrying cargo one way only and returning with empty trailers) to composting food wastes, and are setting quantitative reduction goals. Prisoners were used in a pilot project with Housing and Community Development to manufacture efficient, low-cost housing for farm workers. Oregon Department of Forestry . Oregon is developing procedures for defining and measuring sustainable forest management practices. The Oregon Board of Forestry is evaluating a range of options and alternatives regarding the complex and rapidly evolving issue of forest certification. Forestry is employing green building techniques including the salvage and reuse of old building materials - for construction of six new structures, with a goal of using 90% recycled or reused materials in these buildings. This approach is expected to reduce material and operating costs over the life of the buildings. Oregon Housing and Community Services Department. Guided by the recommendations of a task force, the agency is taking steps to encourage green building techniques through its 1st time homebuyer program and its affordable housing financing program. Green buildings generally are more energy efficient and therefore less expensive for residents to operate, and create fewer potential health problems related to indoor air quality. The agency is also working to enhance refurbishment of housing stocks using green building principles. Oregon Economic and Community Development Department. State contracting practices are being improved in a partnership with DAS to ensure that local contractors and businesses have competitive opportunities in rural and distressed communities. A web site serving internal government and outreach to business and communities will be completed in early 2001. Oregon Employment Appeals Board. Paper usage was reduced approximately 90% by distributing documents on computer disks rather than in hard copy. The Central Hearings Panel has followed the EAB's lead and expects to achieve 5 times the volume reduction. Oregon Department of Environmental Quality. Goals were set to reduce agency environmental impacts by 50% within 2 years in areas related to paper, lighting, office furniture and business travel. Green Permits program: The Oregon Dept. of Environmental Quality has created a "green permits" program that allows organizations with exemplary environmental performance get a range of benefits or incentives, including increased flexibility regarding regulatory requirements. The Green Environmental Management System Permit, or GEMS permit , has three tiers, and in order to qualify for the highest tier, the applicant must demonstrate "leadership in applying sustainable development principles to the environmental life cycle aspects of its activities, products and services. DEQ has issued two of the middle Achiever tier permits to date (LSI Logic and Louisiana Pacific). For more information, go to <http://www.deq.state.or.us/programs/greenpermits> . Oregon Progress Board. An assessment of the Oregon Benchmarks (a statewide measurement system) is being conducted to determine how they can better reflect Oregon's progress toward sustainability. Oregon University System. Oregon's public universities have created an informal network and are considering creating a sustainability network that capitalizes on the strengths of each university through collaborative projects and coordinated services. Discussions include facilities management, curricula, research and outreach. Green chemistry is a specialty they have developed. Local Initiatives City of Portland, Green Building Initiative. On January 10 2001, Portland City Council unanimously adopted a comprehensive green building standard and policy to promote resource efficient and healthy design and construction practices and require all facilities built or funded by the City to meet the certified level of the Portland LEED Green Building Rating System. The green building policy will be implemented through the City's G/Rated building program. G/Rated coordinates the expertise and resources of six City bureaus to guide commercial and residential building design, construction, operation and maintenance in an environmentally sustainable direction. Services include personalized technical assistance, a web-based resource center, technical guidelines, materials specifications, case studies, cost-benefit analyses, and education and training workshops. Through these activities, the City will incorporate long-term institutional changes that shift green-building practices to business as usual. Residential Cash Incentive: grants of up to $3,000 to support projects that demonstrate green features. Commercial Service Incentives: up to $15,000 in free services such as energy modeling, building commissioning, engineering and environmental design consulting. City of Portland, Green Purchasing and Contracting. The City of Portland is encouraging green purchasing policies and is offering a presentation that highlights these initiatives. Sustainability is woven into policy and procedures for Professional, Technical and Expert contracts. Sustainability training is offered for governmental representatives implementing sustainability projects. Sustainable Building workshops are offered for professionals in green buildings. For information on Environmentally Responsible Purchasing Guidelines see <http://www.enviro.ci.portland.or> City Club of Portland, Informational Report. A committee within the City Club wrote an informational report on sustainability as a primer for anyone interested in the topic. In includes an explanation of the role of government, business and the community and provides many ideas for what you can do to move our society toward sustainability. A copy is available on their web site <www.pdxcityclub.org>. Public transportation. Tri-Met, the public transportation system in Portland, has just approved an environmental policy based on The Natural Step framework and will be begin using it in their maintenance facilities and the development of the Milwaukie transit center. Multnomah County. Multnomah County Facilities department has adopted The Natural Step framework and have an employee committee working on implementation plans. City of Eugene. City of Eugene Council passed a resolution directing city staff to develop sustainability plans. City of Woodburn. City of Woodburn Council has directed their staff to come up with sustainability plans. City of Sherwood, Sustainable Sherwood Vision. Several years ago, Sherwood convened a community-wide process to develop a long-term plan for maintaining their quality of life. They developed principles, goals and recommended actions. Their biggest success has been the creation of the Tualatin River National Wildlife Refuge which preserved habitat and is used for educational and recreational purposes. Clark County, Washington, Natural Landscaping Project. The specific road project is the East leg of the Padden Parkway Project an $11.9 million, 1.7 mile stretch of road requiring landscaping on both sides. The project involves planting seven test plots to test different landscape designs, soil amendments, fertilizers and weed maintenance. The goal is to encourage landscapes that improve stormwater management, habitat restoration and reduce costs for both installation and on-going care of landscapes in the county-owned right-of-way. This project presents a wonderful opportunity for Clark County to set a new standard that others might follow on both public and private property. In addition to the seven test plots Clark county will be amending the stockpiled native soils with screened street sweepings. Specifications have been written which call for approximately 5,000 cubic yards of soil amendment. Author and Copyright Information Copyright 2001 by Author Darcy Hitchcock, president of AXIS Performance Advisors, has consulted with organizations across the US to improve their ability to manage the "triple bottom line": people, planet, profits. She has published several popular business books and is on the speakers bureau for the Oregon Natural Step Network and co-authored the City Club of Portland's informational report on sustainability. She is currently writing the Sustainability Series, a set of how-to booklets to help organizations implement sustainability practices. These booklets are currently available: Developing an Implementation Plan, Training Employees on Sustainability (based on The Natural Step framework) Identifying your Environmental Impacts, and Developing Eco-Metrics and Targets. For more information, please go to <www.pacifier.com/~axis>.