Wednesday, April 21, 2010

How Sweden Leads Sustainable Practices

A light April snow falls over Stockholm as I reflect on the successes of sustainable development in Sweden. By sustainable development, I mean development that "meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs." See http://www.un-documents.net/a42r187.htm (the definition is informally known as the Brundtland Commission definition).



This general concept framed discussions yesterday at Sweden's Sustainability Day 2010, a nationwide conference held in Stockholm to celebrate and promote sustainable development in Swedish businesses and industries. http://miljoaktuellt.idg.se/2.1845/1.291059 At the conference, that which astounded me was not emergence of new achievements, but rather the ongoing successes of old ones.

Already in the 1990s, municipalities and corporations in Sweden were using sustainable development-driven solutions to pull themselves from negative balance sheets to soaring profits. These solutions were based on a process called The Natural Step (in Swedish, Det Naturliga Steget). For more information read the book, The Natural Step for Communities: How CIties and Towns can Change to Sustainable Practices (ISBN 978-0-86571-491-5).

Take for example Scandic Hotels, a Northern Europe hotel chain celebrated for its sustainable practices and policies. In the early 1990s when the hotel faced bankruptcy, it employed company-wide sustainability training as part of an effort to turn the company around. During training, employees were invited to brainstorm how the hotel might function more sustainably. Management realized several of the suggestions, which ranged from using all natural materials in furniture and carpeting to installing wastebackets that easily help guests separate garbage, recycling and compost. Similar business plan overhauls were conducted by Statoil gas stations and the municipal government of Stockholm.

Nearly 20 years later, it is no surprise that these corporations and this government lead talks at Sustainability Day 2010. For example, the hotel director from Scandic Hotel/ Malmen was celebrated as a nominee for the Sustainability Leadership Award. Statoil was the primary conference sponsor. As a presenter, the municipal government of Stockholm shared news of its green building achievements and its "Stockholm Climate Pact" with business leaders. What do all of these business leaders have in common? Early in the game, they incorporated The Natural Step in their policies and practices.

In short, if you wonder why Sweden is perceived to lead the world in sustainability practices, The Natural Step offers some answers.

Next week on Sustainable C, I will explore what The Natural Step entails and how it has helped leaders create sustainable visions.