The Natural Step Framework (TNS) is a science-based, systems framework to help organizations, individuals and communities take meaningful steps toward sustainability.
The Natural Step Framework (TNS) is “a science-based, systems framework to help organizations, individuals and communities take meaningful steps toward sustainability.” The process starts with a comprehensive vision for the future of a community or organization and works by “backcasting”—considering the steps and changes necessary to get to the desired situation from the current one. The process is rooted in fundamental scientific principles of earth and environment, and a clear definition of sustainability relative to those principles.
TNS begins with communities or organizations that have already determined and articulated their values and visions for the future, and it begins with the premise that sustainability is at the heart of those values. From here, the process works through planning and implementation.
Organizations or communities can use the TNS definition of sustainability as a way to more clearly articulate a vision and to achieve consensus among stakeholders. With that common vision in hand, TNS encourages the use of concrete, scientific indicators to measure an organization’s current state and that of the goal (i.e. measurements of pollution, number of active voters). This step clarifies the magnitude and types of changes that an organization actually needs to make in order to achieve the vision. Next, the organization develops concrete action steps that will lead to a measurable change; finally, changes are evaluated against the benchmarks and goals.
Submitted by Plumbing St. Joseph Mo. (not verified) on Tue, 10/21/2014 - 02:07.
Pretty nice post. I just stumbled upon your blog and wanted to say that I have really enjoyed browsing your
weblog posts. After all I will be subscribing in your feed
and I am hoping you write again very soon!
Submitted by Edwin Janssen (not verified) on Wed, 12/04/2013 - 03:20.
On the first Con: The framework is meant to design and plan towards a sustainable society. Depending on the phase, organization, scope additional knowledge and tools are used for optimal results incl. Visioning and participatory processes. (You do not build a house with a hammer only either).
On the 2nd Con: The framework can fit on one page. Courses and workshops are available depending on your needs and can range from Free (see Youtube, TNS webinars, masterclasses, guidebooks, etc.) and up. The framework is what it is, a framework with interfaces to other tools that might help move forward in a meaningful way. Making the mistake of using other tools for planning for sustainability although they were not designed for that purpose is more costly.
Understanding where you want to be, where you are now, what can be done to minimize the gap and putting it together in a plan does not have to take much time.
Shifting from unsustainability towards sustainability however is a time consuming project that requires time, effort, persistence and resources.
For more Pros: Google!
Post new comment