Strategic Sustainable Development
- Strategic Sustainable Development
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.
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 sustainability, (3) strategic decision making, (4) actions and (5) various support methods & tools (e.g. Life Cycle Assessment, Environmental Management Systems)
*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. backcasting)
*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 as a general approach, strategic planning, systems thinking, etc.) and it is the combination of these elements that give it strength.
References
*Robèrt, Karl-Henrik. (2002). The Natural Step Story: Seeding a Quiet Revolution. Gabriola Island, BC: New Society Publishers.
*Robert, Karl-Henrik et al. (2002). Strategic Sustainable Development: Selection, Design and Synergies of applied tools. Journal of Cleaner Production 10(3):197-214
See also
*The Natural Step
*Sustainability
*Sustainable Development
*Sustainable product development
*Strategic Sustainable Investing
External links
* [http://www.bth.se/tmslm Masters of Strategic Leadership towards Sustainability]
* [http://www.naturalstep.org/ The Natural Step]
Wikimedia Foundation.
2010.
Look at other dictionaries:
Strategic Sustainable Investing — (SSI) is an investment strategy that recognizes and rewards leading companies that are moving society towards sustainability. SSI relies on a consensus based scientific definition of sustainability, and the assumption that ‘ Backcasting from… … Wikipedia
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 in the indefinite future. The term was used by the Brundtland Commission which coined what has … Wikipedia
Sustainable product development — (SPD) is a method for product development that incorporates a Framework for Strategic Sustainable Development (FSSD), also known as The Natural Step (TNS) framework. As the demand for products continues to increase around the world and… … Wikipedia
Strategic Environmental Assessment — (SEA) is a system of incorporating environmental considerations into policies, plans and programmes. It is sometimes referred to as Strategic Environmental Impact Assessment. The specific term Strategic Environmental Assessment relates to… … Wikipedia
Development communication — Development Communication, has been alternatively defined as a type of marketing and public opinion research that is used specifically to develop effective communication or as the use of communication to promote social development. Defined as the … Wikipedia
Development Assistance Research Associates — (DARA) is an independent non profit organisation committed to improving the quality of development aid and humanitarian action through evaluation. With its work, DARA contributes to the global efforts to alleviate human suffering and reduce… … Wikipedia
Sustainable energy — Renewable energy … Wikipedia
Strategic Environmental Assessment (Denmark) — The Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA), is a process in Denmark for assessing the environmental effects of proposed government projects and programmes. Established in 1993 by an administrative order of Denmark s Prime Minister’s Office,[1]… … Wikipedia
Development geography — High human development … Wikipedia
Strategic management — is a field that deals with the major intended and emergent initiatives taken by general managers on behalf of owners, involving utilization of resources, to enhance the performance of firms in their external environments.[1] It entails specifying… … Wikipedia
