USA
Sustainability in the U.S. begins with The Natural Step Network.
The foundation for many sustainability programs in the United States and around the world is The Natural Step Framework. Why? Because the science-based process has been tested and proven by forward thinking organizations for nearly two decades. See Solutions for Business, Solutions for Communities, Case Studies.
Our mission: We guide organizations to act according to the principles for sustainability, now.
What we do: We provide a range of courses to educate the leaders at all levels who will drive the process forward. We also support your progress as you define sustainability and success, creating your own vision, strategy and action plans. We facilitate collaboration to create opportunities for discussion and action.
Why we’re different: The Natural Step created the systems-based approach which considers the interconnectedness of your activities and how they impact our social and physical environment. Without this broad understanding, best intentions may produce short term successes with unintended negative long term effects.
The path to sustainability requires a course of deliberate decisions and conscious choices. Our systematic Framework ensures that individual steps lead to transformations for long term viability.
Where to start: We are a network of members – public and private sector leaders, educators, consultants and students. We host frequent events with insightful speakers. We offer regular introductory workshops and more advanced courses. In partnership with The Natural Step in Canada, we also offer online courses as stand alone learning or in combination with live courses. Explore this site to discover the opportunities. Subscribe to our newsletter for updates and bookmark our Events page to see upcoming classes and speakers.
LATEST NEWS
- The Natural Step Story: Seeding a Quiet Revolution (NEW: Now available in audiobook format!)Thursday, 10 November 2011 | Submitted by Neil McCallum
By Karl-Henrik Robèrt, Founder, The Natural StepNOW AVAILABLE IN AUDIOBOOK FORMAT! See details below...It may be unlikely that a Swedish karate champion, family man, and cancer scientist could be at the center of developing a systems approach to life on Earth that could revolutionize the way humans operate in the world, but this is the story of just that: the idea and the man behind it.
As a cancer specialist, Karl-Henrik Robèrt faced a stream of parents who would sacrifice anything to save their children. Yet that same selflessness did not seem to extend to saving the environment, as debate on how to achieve sustainability was divided, with no agreement on universal principles. But Robèrt's experience convinced him that consensus on how to meet the most basic requirements of life should be possible.
In memory of a true sustainability leader: Ray Anderson, Founder of InterfaceWednesday, 10 August 2011 | Submitted by Karl-Henrik RobertRay Anderson, the founder of Interface and the world’s most famous sustainability expert in the business community, passed away on Monday after a battle with cancer.
Ray generously offered The Natural Step and me personally his friendship and support some 15 years ago. He called himself a pupil of The Natural Step, inspired both by our way of systematic strategic thinking around sustainability and by the principles which he used to define sustainability for Interface. But at The Natural Step, we certainly consider ourselves his pupils when it comes to responsible, inclusive, faithful, humorous, humble leadership—one that brought soul into business.
News Release: Dr. Robèrt To Be Inducted Into ISSP Sustainability Hall of FameTuesday, 05 July 2011 | Submitted by Anouk Bertner
On behalf of the entire Natural Step community, it is my pleasure to congratulate Dr. Karl-Henrik Robèrt for being inducted into the International Society of Sustainability Professionals’ (ISSP) Sustainability Hall of Fame. I am personally thrilled that the ISSP recognized Dr.Guardian Sustainable Business: InterfaceFLOR - closing the loop in the manufacturing processMonday, 06 June 2011 | Submitted by Neil McCallum
The innovative sustainability efforts of InterfaceFLOR, long time partner of The Natural Step, were recently highlighted in an article from Guardian Sustainable Business. InterfaceFLOR has been a leader in sustainable business as they continue to work towards their ambitous target to eliminate all of their negative environmental impacts by 2020.To read more about what inspired InterfaceFLOR and how they implemented their sustainability plan visit the InterfaceFLOR case study.
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Randomised tile design and the war on waste campaign are just two InterfaceFLOR initiatives to eliminate waste, leading to an 80% reduction in landfill and savings of $433m
Environmental Leader: Nike, AEP Win in Ceres Environmental Reporting AwardsMonday, 16 May 2011 | Submitted by Neil McCallumCong
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ratulations to The Natural Step partner Nike for being recognized as a sustainability leader! You can read our case study to learn more about Nike’s sustainability journey and how The Natural Step helped them apply the principles of sustainability to its business operations. Nike has also won an award for their Corporate Responsibility Report. Please read the following article highlighting Nike's sustainability achievements from the Environmental Leader.