Sustainability Frameworks: The Compass in Context
ENVIRONMENT AND SYSTEM THINKING EXERCISE:THE SUSTAINABILTY
COMPASSFor effective sustainability work, please choose a framework
that ...is adequately comprehensive and systemicfits into the
culture of the target system (organization, community, etc.)will
produce the outcomes you want in the short and long termcan be
widely understood and embraced by the key people / stakeholders
involvedThe Compass
4
4The Nature Principle: The physical and biological limits of
Earths ecological systems must be respected We cannot negotiate
with the laws of physics and biology.
Negative impacts on the environment and ecosystems should
eventually be reduced to zero.
Goal-setting in the Nature dimension should take this into
account.
The Economy Principle: Human societies, communities, and
organizations need functioning economies to provide for their needs
and to support their aspirations. Economic and financial systems
should be organized in ways that meet our best understanding of the
requirements for long-term sustainabilityMost systems today are not
organized in this wayGoal-setting in this dimension generally
focuses on changing systems, while maintaining economic vitality,
financial security, jobs, etc
The Society Principle: Social systems should be organized in
ways that promote equity, fairness, resilience, and opportunity for
allOur communities, organizations, and institutions must provide
the basic stability and high-quality functioning that are essential
to long-term sustainability (a condition captured elegantly by the
single word resilience) The Compass approach takes a stand on what
constitutes a good society (based on research and ethics) and
advocates setting goals accordinglyThe Wellbeing Principle: Human
beings have a right to be to be safe, to have access to healthcare,
and to have the opportunity for self-expression, self-development,
and a good quality of lifeThis principle is anchored in the United
Nations Universal Declaration on Human Rights (UDHR) and is
explicitly ethical in natureIt also reflects a rising tide of
research, policy, and management science on the value of human
wellbeing and subjective happiness/qualify of lifeThe Integration
Principle: All four dimensions of the Sustainability Compass are
interconnected in a web of cause-and-effect relationships. They are
interdependent on each other The Compass approach is grounded in
the science of system dynamics and in general understanding of how
complex systems behave In recognition of this principle, governance
and management systems should strive to achieve optimal results
across all four Compass Points in an integrated way
INTEGRATION INTEGRATION
