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> The 3 Main Components

The Natural Step Framework

The Natural Step Framework is a methodology for successful organisational planning. It is based on systems thinking, recognizing that what happens in one part of a system affects every other part. We begin by understanding the broader system within which problems occur and the principles governing success within that system These principles for success then provide a practical set of design criteria that can be used to direct social, environmental and economic actions, developing effective, durable solutions to the environmental, social and economic issues of the new century.

The Natural Step framework provides a shared mental model, understanding, and common language that facilitates cooperation across organisations, disciplines, and cultures. It encourages dialogue, consensus-building and incremental change - key processes of organisational learning - and creates the conditions for significant change to occur.

From a business perspective, The Natural Step framework is used as a planning tool to enable corporations to profitably integrate environmental and social considerations into strategic business decisions and daily operations.

The Natural Step framework complements other environmental tools and approaches such as life cycle analysis and ISO 14001 by providing a context and strategic vision that makes them more effective.

The TNS Framework has three main components:

The Funnel
The Natural Step uses the metaphor of a funnel to help us visualise the economic, social and
environmental pressures that will inevitably impinge on society as natural resources continue to diminish and population grows.

System Conditions
The Natural Step's principles of sustainability define the conditions that must be met in order to have a sustainable society. These four System Conditions are the core of the Natural Step's sustainability framework. Their precise wording reflects a system-level understanding of how the Earth functions.

Implementation Methodology
How can the system conditions be applied to an organisation's everyday operations? The Natural Step has developed and tested an ABCD approach to help complex organisations to incorporate sustainability into their strategic planning and decision-making processes. It includes Backcasting - framing goals with regard to a desired future outcome - and systematic step-by-step implementation, that provides benefits in the short-term, while retaining a longer term perspective.

More about the TNS Framework:

Basic Science
The basic science behind The Natural Step framework.
An organisation's sustainability objectives
Benefits of Implementing The Natural Step framework