The Natural Step: A Framework for Strategic Sustainable Development

Founded in Sweden in 1989 by scientist Karl-Henrik Robèrt, The Natural Step (TNS) is a non-profit, non-governmental organization dedicated to advancing society toward greater sustainability. Following the 1987 Brundtland Report, Robèrt developed a scientific framework to define the system conditions necessary for human activities to remain sustainable on Earth. This approach integrates universal laws—such as the laws of gravity and thermodynamics—with social studies to create a roadmap for a viable future.

At its core, The Natural Step utilizes whole-systems thinking and a unique method called backcasting. Unlike traditional forecasting, which predicts the future based on current trends, backcasting starts with a clear vision of a sustainable future and works backward to identify the strategic steps needed to reach that goal. This process allows organizations to simplify complex sustainability challenges without reducing the essential scientific detail required for real impact.

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Key Facts

Founded: 1989 in Sweden by Karl-Henrik Robèrt.
Core Methodology: Backcasting from scientific sustainability principles.
Global Reach: Offices in 9 countries with associates in over 50 countries.
Scientific Basis: Derived from the laws of thermodynamics and socio-ecological system research.
Primary Tool: The Framework for Strategic Sustainable Development (FSSD).

The Science of Sustainability

Sustainability is defined as preserving the well-being of the socio-ecological system—the complex interaction between humans, their organizations, and the ecosystem—over time. The Natural Step distinguishes between fundamental human needs and the satisfiers used to meet those needs, arguing that many modern ecological crises stem from created desires rather than real needs.

The Ecological System

The framework identifies that the Earth is a closed system regarding matter but an open system regarding energy (receiving energy from the sun). Two primary laws of thermodynamics guide this understanding: first, that all matter currently on Earth is all that will ever exist; and second, that disorder increases in closed systems.

Causes of Unsustainability

Research indicates that human society systematically alters ecosystem functions in harmful ways. These root causes are divided into ecological and social categories:

Ecological Causes: The progressive buildup of substances extracted from the Earth's crust (e.g., fossil fuels, metals) and substances produced by society (e.g., plastics, DDT, PCBs).
Social Causes: The creation of structural obstacles that undermine human capacity, specifically affecting health, influence, competence, impartiality, and meaning-making.

The Framework for Strategic Sustainable Development (FSSD)

The FSSD is an application of the 5 Level Framework (5LF), a comprehensive model for decision-making in complex systems. The 5LF consists of five hierarchical levels:

System: Understanding the workings and functions of the socio-ecological system.
Success: Defining the conditions (principles) that must be met for sustainability.
Strategic Guidelines: Planning the direction toward success.
Actions: Implementing prioritized tasks to achieve strategic goals.
Tools: Selecting the specific instruments to execute actions.

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The Eight Sustainability Principles

To achieve a sustainable society, the FSSD establishes eight first-order scientific principles. A society is sustainable when nature and people are not subject to systematically increasing concentrations of:

Substances extracted from the Earth's crust.
Substances produced as a byproduct of society.
Physical degradation of nature.
Structural obstacles to health.
Structural obstacles to influence.
Structural obstacles to competence.
Structural obstacles to impartiality.
Structural obstacles to meaning-making.

Implementation and Tools

The Natural Step provides practical methods to translate these principles into organizational change. One primary approach is the ABCD Method, which guides organizations through a baseline assessment (B) to map current activities against the sustainability principles, followed by strategic planning and action.

The framework has inspired several high-profile tools and initiatives, including the Future-Fit Business Benchmark, the Living Building Challenge, and the Sustainable Apparel Coalition Higgs Index. It has also been adopted by over 80 eco-municipalities in Sweden and various communities in the United States, such as Whistler and Dawson Creek.

Summary of the FSSD Approach
Level	Focus	Example Application
System	Root Causes	Analyzing the buildup of plastics in oceans.
Success	Principles	Eliminating contributions to crust-extracted substances.
Strategic	Backcasting	Substituting non-compliant materials with sustainable ones.
Actions	Implementation	Designing a new product life cycle analysis.
Tools	Execution	Using the ABCD method for organizational mapping.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is backcasting in the context of The Natural Step?

Backcasting is a planning method that begins by defining a scientifically based vision of a sustainable future (the success level) and then works backward to identify the strategic steps and actions required to reach that state from the present.

How does the FSSD differ from traditional sustainability models?

Unlike models that focus on mitigating effects or balancing a "triple bottom line," the FSSD focuses on the root causes of unsustainability based on universal scientific laws and whole-systems thinking.

What are the social sustainability principles?

Social sustainability principles state that people should not be subject to structural obstacles that hinder their health, influence, competence, impartiality, or ability to find meaning in their lives.

Who can use The Natural Step framework?

The framework is applicable to any entity regardless of size or sector, including private businesses, municipal governments, national governments, NGOs, and inter-governmental organizations like the UN and EU.

What is the ABCD method?

The ABCD method is a practical application process used by organizations to implement the FSSD, starting with a baseline assessment to evaluate current operations against the eight sustainability principles.