The Natural Step provides a clear and simple definition of sustainability for everyone. This creates a shared language so that we may work together for effective and desirable change. When combined with well-tested processes and tools to facilitate action we can more quickly achieve true sustainability together.

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In a sustainable society, nature is not subject to systematically increasing…

• concentrations of substances from the earth's crust (such as fossil CO2, heavy metals and minerals)
• concentrations of substances produced by society (such as antibiotics and endocrine disruptors)
• degradation by physical means (such as deforestation and draining of groundwater tables).
• and in that society there are no structural obstacles to people's health, influence, competence, impartiality and meaning.

Awareness

Everything starts with awareness. We need to understand how to define sustainability and what it means for individuals, business and other organizations, society, and ultimately the Earth. We use a science-based and 'whole-systems' definition as a firm foundation to build a vision of what success looks like in the future.

Baseline assessment

This step uses the four sustainability principles to conduct a sustainability 'gap analysis' of the major flows and impacts of the organisation to see how its activities are running counter to sustainability principles. This way we assist organisations to identify critical sustainability issues, their business implications, and strategic opportunities for change.

Creative solutions

Now that we have identified the gap between where we are today (current reality) and where we want to go (vision), we can start to think about innovations and solutions. These will bring us step by step closer to a sustainable product, service or organisation. We are clear on what success looks like, and which process we must set up or change in order to get us there.

Devise a plan

What do we need to do, and when should we do it? What are the first steps and "low hanging fruit" that will bring quicker benefits, and what needs longer term planning? Through a set of prioritization questions we can design a pathway that keeps the goal in mind with maximum flexibility and benefits. We make this plan together so you can get started quickly on your path to a sustainable future.

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• notice (baseline assesment)
• reflect
• try (plan?, creative solutions)
• learn (awareness, devise a plan)
  
• share (devise a plan)
• evolve