The Embedding Framework presented here was first developed in 2010 by Dr. Stephanie Bertels from a Systematic Review conducted for the Network for Business Sustainability (NBS) to bring together the best available knowledge on how to embed sustainability in business. The original framework was enthusiastically received by the business community. Firms requested more information and sought direct guidance on how to implement the framework. In response, NBS launched an Embedding Sustainability Working Group, led by Dr. Bertels and South African researcher, Jess Schulschenk, which brought together 16 companies from across North America, Europe and Africa over a period of three years to refine the framework into a diagnostic tool to assess a company's maturity.

The 'embedding wheel' framework depicted above outlines a portfolio of 60 business practices that help companies embed sustainability.