Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
As anything can be done within the above constraints, TNS aims to nurture positive
and creative solutions-based thinking, brainstorming, sharing knowledge and ideas,
and social and organizational learning. TNS consists of the following five levels:
1
Principles of ecosphere
(social and ecological constitution): historically, resource
availability, productive ecosystems, purity, trust and equity in society decline
while simultaneously population, resource demand and competitiveness increase.
2
System conditions
(principles of sustainability): this may be considered the success
or achievement level.
3
Strategy
(principles for sustainable development): particularly backcasting from
principles.
4
Activities
(concrete actions): these could include phasing out fossil fuel use,
switching capacity to renewable energy, or substituting metals that are naturally
abundant in the biosphere or benign for ones that are scarce or potentially
harmful.
5
Tools
(management): such as environmental management systems, ISO 14001,
life-cycle assessment, Factor 10, ecological footprinting, zero emission or TNS's
own ABCD analysis (see below).
TNS originator Karl-Henrik Robèrt argues that to create a sustainable society,
and for groups and organizations to be successful in complex systems, all participants
must articulate the same mental models in their economic and business practices
(Robèrt, 2000; Robèrt
et al.
, 2002). Each individual, group, institution and business
will be able to contribute their own special skills and talents, but the real challenge
TNS resource funnel
Sustainable supply
The margin for
action narrows
SUSTAINABILITY
Sustainable demand
The present
The future
Figure 9.3
The funnel as a metaphor
Source:
www.naturalstep.ca
.
