The Natural Step

Abstract

This note explains "The Natural Step" framework, an educational and implementational tool used by corporations to incorporate environmental programs and sustainability principles into strategy and operations. The note provides a short history of The Natural Step organization and a description of the process by which the framework was developed. The four systemic conditions of The Natural Step are presented as principles to guide decision making. Hundreds of companies are now using The Natural Step; the note provides short descriptions of a handful of these companies. Excerpt UVA-ENT-0039 Rev. Oct. 13, 2009 THE NATURAL STEP Introduction The list of environmental concerns challenging industry and society is sobering in their far-reaching character: · exponential population growth . . .