What's the future of PVC? In an industry often under attack over environmental and health concerns, answering this question is top of mind. 

The Natural Step Framework has helped some of the most proactive companies in this industry set their visions for the future and make strategic choices to get there. Its been used previously to lay out key challenges for the industry and we've even used it to bring a whole supply chain together in an industry course. Now there is an opportunity for the industry, as a whole, to apply it to define a shared vision, to take a full and honest look at today's challenges and to make proactive steps on the journey toward sustainable management of materials.

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In my August 24, 2010, blog, we explored a dilemma for sustainable companies: growth. This week we will discuss its Siamese twin: over-consumption. It’s the second undiscussable elephant in the board rooms of companies aspiring to be sustainable enterprises.

This article in the Global Footprint Network's newsletter captures our attention at The Natural Step. It was a reminder to all of us that there is still a long road ahead of us. 

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It has taken humanity less than nine months to exhaust its ecological budget for the year, according to Global Footprint Network calculations.

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In today’s business model, growth is a given—an imperative. “Grow or die” is the undisputed maxim of business leaders. The stock market punishes companies that do not meet growth expectations. Growth is good. However, continuous growth appears to be at odds with sustainability principles. Growth is the ‘un-discussable’ elephant in the board rooms of companies aspiring to a sustainable business model.

The Natural Step Exchange wants to let you know about an upcoming workshop presented by Dr. McKenzie-Mohr. Find a description and more information below. 

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The cornerstone of sustainability is behavior change. If we are to move toward a sustainable future we must encourage individuals and businesses to engage in a multitude of actions (e.g., waste reduction, water and energy efficiency, pollution prevention, etc.). To date, most programs to encourage such activities have relied upon disseminating information.

The town of Canmore is continuing on the road to sustainability after adopting The Natural Step Framework in 2008. Canmore was the second Canadian community to implement The Natural Step’s community-wide engagement program. Read more about their journey in the case study here. 

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By Hamish Maclean, The Canmore Leader. August 18, 2010.

Special events in Canmore will be moving towards zero waste.

By Alyssa Burnham, The High River Times. August 10, 2010.

High River is in the process of exploring how it might move toward increased sustainability as a municipality.

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It’s one thing to critically assess how today’s dominant business model is not sustainable; it’s another thing to design one that is. As sustainability champions, we need to have a positive vision of the pot of gold at end of the sustainability rainbow. We need to be able to respond to a “put up or shut up” challenge with a description of a sustainable business model that is better for the environment, society, and the company.

August 6, 2010. Duluth (MN) – Sustainable Twin Ports (STP) announces the hiring of Nan Stubenvoll as their new Executive Director. STP is a non-profit organization dedicated to furthering economic, environmental and social sustainability in the Twin Ports and western Lake Superior region through education, networking and action. Current focus is on training of business leaders, municipalities, community groups, and individuals in the ‘principles’ of sustainability, using The Natural Step, a science-based, systems framework for making sustainable decisions in a strategic way.