Strategic Sustainable Development
Encyclopedia
Strategic sustainable development (SSD) is a strategic approach to sustainable development
and is a field of study that exists within the public domain. A number of authors, researchers and practitioners identify with this approach. Both the Blekinge Institute of Technology
and The Natural Step
, along with many leading experts in the sustainability arena, are contributors to it.
The SSD approach combines a number of concepts that are published independently (e.g. backcasting
as a general approach, strategic planning, systems thinking, etc.) and it is the combination of these elements that give it strength.
Sustainable development
Sustainable development is a pattern of resource use, that aims to meet human needs while preserving the environment so that these needs can be met not only in the present, but also for generations to come...
and is a field of study that exists within the public domain. A number of authors, researchers and practitioners identify with this approach. Both the Blekinge Institute of Technology
Blekinge Institute of Technology
The Blekinge Institute of Technology is a public, state funded Swedish Institute of technology in Blekinge with more than 8,000 students and offers 350 courses in 40 educational programmes in five schools at two campuses located in Karlskrona and Karlshamn.The institute focuses on applied...
and The Natural Step
The Natural Step
The Natural Step is a non-profit organization founded in Sweden in 1989 by scientist Karl-Henrik Robèrt. Following publication of the Brundtland Report in 1987, Robèrt developed The Natural Step framework, setting out the system conditions for the sustainability of human activities on Earth;...
, along with many leading experts in the sustainability arena, are contributors to it.
Advantages
SSD has the advantages of being:- Scientific – basic concepts from physics, natural and social systems provide a foundation
- Based on systems thinking – to support decision making in situations of high complexity recognizing the interdependence of the natural world and society
- Structured – there is a clear distinction between: (1) the principle functioning of the system, (2) a principled view of sustainabilitySustainabilitySustainability is the capacity to endure. For humans, sustainability is the long-term maintenance of well being, which has environmental, economic, and social dimensions, and encompasses the concept of union, an interdependent relationship and mutual responsible position with all living and non...
, (3) strategic decision making, (4) actions and (5) various support methods & tools (e.g. life-cycle assessment, environmental management systemEnvironmental Management SystemEnvironmental management system refers to the management of an organization's environmental programs in a comprehensive, systematic, planned and documented manner....
s) - Based on sustainability principles derived from scientific consensus
- Strategic – a clearly principled view of a future sustainable society creates a perspective on which we can base our decisions (i.e. backcastingBackcastingBackcasting starts with defining a desirable future and then works backwards to identify policies and programs that will connect the future to the present. The fundamental question of backcasting asks: "if we want to attain a certain goal, what actions must be taken to get there?"Forecasting is the...
) - Tested by application – theories and concepts are continually applied and tested in concert with business & society
- Encouraging creativity – a vast range of possibilities within broad but concrete constraints
The SSD approach combines a number of concepts that are published independently (e.g. backcasting
Backcasting
Backcasting starts with defining a desirable future and then works backwards to identify policies and programs that will connect the future to the present. The fundamental question of backcasting asks: "if we want to attain a certain goal, what actions must be taken to get there?"Forecasting is the...
as a general approach, strategic planning, systems thinking, etc.) and it is the combination of these elements that give it strength.
See also
- The Natural StepThe Natural StepThe Natural Step is a non-profit organization founded in Sweden in 1989 by scientist Karl-Henrik Robèrt. Following publication of the Brundtland Report in 1987, Robèrt developed The Natural Step framework, setting out the system conditions for the sustainability of human activities on Earth;...
- SustainabilitySustainabilitySustainability is the capacity to endure. For humans, sustainability is the long-term maintenance of well being, which has environmental, economic, and social dimensions, and encompasses the concept of union, an interdependent relationship and mutual responsible position with all living and non...
- Sustainable developmentSustainable developmentSustainable development is a pattern of resource use, that aims to meet human needs while preserving the environment so that these needs can be met not only in the present, but also for generations to come...
- Sustainable product developmentSustainable product developmentSustainable product development is a method for product development that incorporates a Framework for Strategic Sustainable Development , also known as The Natural Step framework...
- Strategic sustainable investingStrategic Sustainable InvestingStrategic sustainable investing is an investment strategy that recognizes and rewards leading companies that are moving society towards sustainability...