Natural Step Framework, sustainability

This is the full report of the Natural Step in the UK research project which was initiated by the PVC Co-ordination Group. The Natural Step framework evaluates the challenges needed to make PVC truly sustainable across its entire life cycle. The key questions explored in this study are whether the PVC industry is currently sustainable or is it moving towards increased sustainability and what steps are needed to make PVC sustainable ... 

THE NATURAL STEP FRAMEWORK BACKCASTING FROM PRINCIPLES OF SUSTAINABILITY... 

Applying The Natural Step Framework A Strategic Sustainable Development Decision-Making Process... 

The Natural Step Framework and approach are elaborated from the constraints determined by basic principles of sustainability. Backcasting from basic principles of sustainability is a framework that covers relevant aspects of how to plan ahead in a complex system, such as for societies within the biosphere. The approach brings a sustainability perspective to analyses of current practices and materials, suggested solutions and visions, and the strategic evaluation of various solutions and paths to arrive at sustainability. And it brings this new perspective in with opportunities for improved economic outcomes. 

Sustainability itself has been adopted by some countries. In Sweden, The Natural Step Framework (discussed later in this section) has received strong support from business and political leaders and has been adopted by a number of council municipalities and corporations (such as IKEA and Electrolux). 

The Natural Step has placed these principles into a framework for sustainable development, which is used in conjunction with backcasting techniques. Actions are launched, step by step, in a strategic way to serve as viable stepping stones towards compliance with the sustainability principles. The framework is systematized as an approach to facilitate the brainstorming sessions and team-planning that is presented in the A,B,C,D methodology. 

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