Helping leaders create a better tomorrow, today

It's a fantastic reflection on the progress society has made in the past decade to realize that our job is no longer to convince people that sustainability is important. The sustainability imperative has never been clearer and there is more and more evidence that sustainability is here to stay as a driver of innovation and change.

Sustainability is becoming more and more mainstream as corporations, municipalities, and civil society work to understand and adopt sustainability strategies within their organizations. From sustainable supply chains to life cycle analysis, from community sustainability planning and smart growth, and from sustainable procurement to packaging, there's no shortage of activity underway.

So, if everyone understands that sustainability is important and that we all must understand and work towards it, can we all pack up and go home? Not yet. We have a long road ahead of us. (Read more…)

The Natural Step Canada Announces its 2011 Sustainability Learning Course Schedule

We've launched our 2011 Sustainability Learning course dates and locations nationwide. Valued for their rich content, inspiring facilitators and interactive design, The Natural Step Canada's Sustainability Learning courses are a proven way for participants to dive into the core concepts of sustainability, hone their leadership skills, and begin applying the knowledge to transform businesses, communities, and other organizations. (Read more…)

For information about our courses and how to register, please select below:

Sustainability for Leaders Course - Level 1: Foundations

• Toronto, ON: June 13-14, 2011
• Montréal, QC : 11-12 octobre 2011
• Edmonton, AB: October 13-14, 2011
• Vancouver, BC: December 8-9, 2011

Sustainability for Leaders Course - Level 2: Practitioners

• Banff, AB: July 11-13, 2011 (in-person session)

Integrated Community Sustainability Planning Course

• Vancouver, BC: June 15-17, 2011 (in-person session)

Leading Change from Within: Maximizing people power for sustainability

How do we leverage the value proposition of sustainability to cost-effectively create solutions that people need and want by communicating with and motivating employees? One of the ways to do this is to leverage the ingenuity of the entire company–all staff–by inviting them into the organization’s sustainability journey. (Read more…)

Looking in the mirror: Communities embed sustainability in their corporate culture and operations

When it comes to municipal sustainability planning, there is a shift in focus toward looking in the mirror. A growing number of municipal governments want to be role models for sustainability leadership in their community. Indeed, many are facing increased pressure from community members and stakeholders who are demanding that their municipal government lead by example.

The result is that many municipal governments are working hard to create cultures of sustainability within their organizations themselves. This means integrating sustainability into the day-to-day decision-making within the municipal corporation and embedding sustainability into the fabric of their organization. (Read more…)

Sustainability Training in the Classroom and the Field

During a recent speaking trip to North America, The Natural Step’s Founder, Dr. Karl-Henrik Robèrt, when asked about the most serious sustainability impact of colleges, replied: “The worst emission from colleges is ignorant students.”

People laughed, but this speaks to the incredible opportunity and power that colleges have over the nation’s brightest and most influential young minds–with the caveat that this opportunity lasts a mere four years and then the connection dims. Academic institutions have the commitment and indeed the responsibility to empower and equip young leaders with the skills, knowledge, and attitudes needed to change the world toward sustainability. (Read more…)

Official Platform Launch of The Natural Step Exchange in Canada

The Natural Step Exchange is pleased to announce the launch of its new online platform, designed to enhance the connectivity of sustainability professionals across Canada and encourage their collaboration. The Exchange platform is your premiere destination for the latest and greatest in sustainability resources, events, and a directory of sustainability leaders and practitioners from across the country.

Valued for its capacity to forge new connections, encourage collaborations, and provide indispensable support to its members, The Exchange has proven to be an essential resource for those looking to raise their level of awareness of other sustainability activities in Canada. Check out the new platform today!

Making the Link: Sustainable Supply Chains with Kathryn Cooper and Brad Zarnett (Sustainability Dialogue | March 25)

1-day training in The Natural Step for MBA students at HEC (Montreal, QC | March 26)

Championing Sustainability in your Organization, with Special Guest Bob Willard (Webinar | April 14)

The Natural Step Canada at the Green Living Show (Toronto, ON | April 15-17)

Integrated Community Sustainability Planning Course (Online sessions and Vancouver, BC | begins May 25)

Sustainability For Leaders Course – Level 1: Foundations (Toronto, ON | June 13-14)

Sustainability for Leaders Course - Level 2: Practitioners (Online sessions and Banff, AB | begins June 22)

More courses/events…

TMX Money: Mating Finance with Sustainability? (Read more…)

Steppin’ off the Edge: Backcasting to the Future podcast (Listen here…)

Corporate Knights Magazine: 2011 Most Sustainable Cities in Canada (Read more…)

The Daily Gumboot: The Most Sustainable Balcony in Vancouver (Read more…)

More news… and resources…

Ashoka Fellowship: The Natural Step Founder Dr. Robèrt named as prestigious Ashoka Globalizer Fellow (Read more…)

Globe Award: Professors Broman and Robèrt Recognized for World-Leading Sustainability Research (Read more…)

Sweden: Down to Earth–Space and Innovation for Sustainability (Read more…)

USA: Why companies aren’t sustainable (Read more…)

More international updates…