ABSTRACT
Founded in Sweden by Dr Karl-Henrik Robert, a leading cancer specialist, The Natural Step (TNS) addresses the systemic causes of environmental problems. TNS principles were developed by scientists and are based on the laws of thermodynamics. The principles focus on systems, requiring the organisations working with TNS to redefine their relationship to the environment and society. TNS compares the current environmental reality to a funnel, in which a growing population and consumption patterns demand more and more life-supporting resources, causing a decrease in the amount of resources available, leading to new limitations for companies as the funnel narrows. TNS principles benefit from being general enough in nature that organisations in different sectors can adopt them and make them their own. According to Forum for the Future, there are business benefits associated with implementing the framework of TNS: TNS has assisted many companies and organisations to develop strategic sustainability initiatives.
