Sustainability in Action in NZ

The Natural Step works with leading edge organisations to develop innovative new business models and practices that chart a course to a sustainable future. This work is supported by our practical, applied and conceptual research, conducted in partnership with our clients in New Zealand and the international multi-disciplinary Natural Step network. We are also actively involved in outreach, and through public presentations and workshops, our newsletter, and the tools and resources on our website, we seek to educate, inspire and empower individuals and organisations to play a meaningful role in the sustainability revolution. Join us!

Some of our recent activities include:

Pathfinder Programme 2000-2003

In 2000 The Natural Step launched a pilot programme with a group of major New Zealand businesses and organisation. This Pathfinder Group included: Macpac, Tait Electronics, The Christchurch City Council, Orion Network Ltd, Landcare Research, The Open Polytechnic of New Zealand, Phoenix Organics and The Warehouse. The networking aspect of the programme ended in 2003 but each organisation is continuing with in-house sustainability programmes. The Pathfinder report overviews how The Natural Step worked with each Pathfinder company.

Each company has moved ahead in identifying their desired future and putting together an action plan to take them there. For example, Phoenix Organics, the first NZ organisation to adopt the TNS Framework has grown steadily, from a staff of 15 to its current 28, since using the Framework to revisit their vision and take steps to align philosophy, practices and marketing with their sustainability vision. Christchurch-based designer and distributor of outdoor recreation equipment Macpac has used the framework to develop actions relating to each of the system conditions including waste minimisation, energy management, restoration of biodiversity, carbon emissions management and a detailed sustainability analysis of their pack fabrics.

Tait Electronics - also based in Christchurch, this manufacturer of radio telecommunications systems has used the Natural Step framework to provide direction to their ISO 14001 system, including determining priorities for action, and are beginning to use it as design criteria as they seek to develop new electronic products which will meet increasingly stringent standards for use of heavy metals.

SME Courses

From 2001 The Natural Step has offered a series of training workshops for small and medium-size enterprises (SMEs). These Natural Step users include Hot Pyjama Productions and Serra Natural Foods (both recognised with awards for resource efficiency), Curators House Restaurant, Ludowici Plastics Ltd and Russell Devlin Architects. Case studies of these and other SMEs using The Natural Step Framework are available on our case studies page.

In 2004 we worked with the Sustainable Business Network to deliver sustainability training to high street retailers in Rangiora.

University of Canterbury

In July 2004, The Natural Step began working with three departments at the University of Canterbury - Geography, Facilities Management and Continuing Education - on a pilot UC Sustainability Project which is exploring how systemic change can be created throughout the University, beyond the isolated environmental initiatives to date. The University recognises its responsibility to equip its students to understand the sustainability challenge and to lead the development of the new approaches, new technologies and new ways of thinking, needed if we are to achieve sustainability.

Based on the initial success of the Pilot, the University is now expanding its effort across the University, working on how it can more fully include sustainability principles in all its teaching and research and also in how it does its own business, e.g. energy efficient buildings and sustainable transport. One of the students from the international Masters in Strategic Leadership Towards Sustainability course is working with Canterbury over the current year. To learn more about sustainability initiatives at the University, visit their website.

Sustainable Agriculture

The Canterbury Regional Council (ECAN) is funding a pilot programme in 2004-2005 with a group of North Canterbury farmers who are using the framework to guide their decision-making on their farms.

Services

The Natural Step advises on the application of The Natural Step science and systems-based sustainability Framework, and its application to strategic planning and day-to-day operations. With our advisors’ assistance, we facilitate the process of building organisation-wide alignment around vision and goals.

The TNS Framework complements and gives strategic direction to environmental management systems such as ISO 14001 and Enviromark, and to programmes such as eco-efficiency, cleaner production, quality assurance, triple bottom line reporting, and Local Agenda 21 initiatives.

The services we offer include:

Sustainability Briefings
Sustainability Assessments
Strategic Development
Performance Improvement
Design
Training & Education
Specialist Seminars