SUSTAINABILITY
THE COMPETITIVE EDGE FOR THE 21ST CENTURY
Presenting
The Natural Step
A Strategic Framework for Tomorrow's Leaders
An Intensive half-day seminar for Builders, Designers, Business,
Government and Community Leaders
December 13, 2006, 12:30pm – 5:30pm
Owen Brown Interfaith Center, Columbia, MD
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| Purpose |
- To provide a strategic framework for integrating environmental issues into organizational operations and strategy
- To offer a comprehensive sustainability framework to support LEED efforts
- To help organizations improve their bottom line and boost employee loyalty while minimizing their environmental impact.
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What is the Natural Step?
The Natural Step is an international network of educational organizations that use a science-based systems framework to help companies, communities, and organizations understand and take the next steps towards sustainability. The Natural Step framework (TNS) is a guide to thinking and acting in harmony with the earth’s cyclical processes. It provides a pragmatic set of design criteria that can be used to direct social, environmental and economic actions. It is used to enable organizations to profitably and intelligently leverage environmental strategy.
Learn more about The Natural Step framework here. |
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For the Building and Design Community:
Building green is becoming a widely accepted trend in the design and construction industry. As energy costs increase along with the price of raw resources, it makes good business sense to create buildings that are more energy efficient using materials that are more sustainably designed. LEED is the foremost rating system nationwide for assessing the environmental impact of new buildings. The Natural Step framework (TNS) is an invaluable tool that complements LEED as it provides an overarching approach to sustainability through a science-based systems framework. The US Green Building Council is presently considering using TNS to strengthen LEED by aligning it with this established set of sustainability principles.
Learn more about the TNS effort to inform LEED 3.0 here. |
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"The Natural Step offers an exceptional framework for sustainability
which can be used to guide and assess green building programs and rating systems,
leading us beyond "green" toward restorative and regenerative building approaches."
David Eisenberg, Director, Development Center for Appropriate Technology
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For the Business Community, Government and other Leaders:
The marketplace is evolving as natural resources become more scarce, environmental regulations more strict and consumers become more eco-conscious. Innovative organizations are profiting and gaining decisive competitive advantage by shifting to seize the opportunity. Leaders and employees are more motivated at work. The Natural Step framework (TNS) is an integral tool that organizations are using to strategically take advantage of these social and environmental trends towards sustainability. |
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“My mission is to transform my company into a sustainable business –
one based on cyclical systems that are waste-free and resource efficient –
by committing to the principles of The Natural Step.”
Ray C. Anderson, Founder and Chairman
Interface Inc. – World’s largest manufacturer of commercial carpet tiles |
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A Proven Track Record
Leading American organizations such as Interface, the Department of Defense, Nike, Starbucks, and Home Depot all use TNS principles to guide strategic decisions and daily operations. Top architects and designers across the nation apply the framework to better incorporate sustainability into their practice. Numerous small and medium sized businesses along with municipalities throughout the US also apply the TNS framework to improve competitive outcomes and heighten environmental stewardship in their communities |
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“The Natural Step provides the “compass” that
companies need to profitably align their products
and processes with the principles of sustainability.”
Dr. Stuart Hart
Management Faculty, Cornell University |
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| What You Will Learn: |
- A whole systems perspective for considering sustainability
- New strategies that can help you make your organization grow more profitable
- Cost-effective and hands-on approaches for moving beyond pollution prevention and waste reduction
- How the TNS framework is used for decision-making and strategic planning
- Suggested ideas for applying the TNS framework in organizations
- Through case studies, how organizations have benefited from implementing the framework
- A hands-on exercise to apply the principles
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| Attendees Who Have Benefited from Attending Previous Natural Step Workshops: |
- Building and Design: Builders, Developers, Real Estate Industry, Architects, Engineers and consultants
- Industry: Manufacturers, Services, Restaurant and others
- University Leaders
- Federal, state and local governments
- Non-Profits and Community Leaders
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Presenter: Mare Cromwell, Sustainability Specialist, Sacred Dog Productions
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AIA Continuing Education Credits will be available. |
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| Workshop Brochure |
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| Cost: |
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LATE REGISTRANTS (After Nov 22, 2006) |
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General Registration - $145 |
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CSBA and USGBC Members - $130 |
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Pay by check: Registration Form |
Exhibitors Welcome
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General Exhibitors - $550 |
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CSBA and USGBC Member Exhibitors - $500 |
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Pay by check: Exhibitors Form |
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Sponsored by: |
Baltimore Chapter US Green Building Council
Chesapeake Sustainable Business Alliance
Maryland Department of Natural Resources Environmental Design Program
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Supported by:
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Baltimore Chapter Architects Institute of America Committee on the Environment
Baltimore Green Week
Chesapeake Bay Program Businesses for the Bay
Washington Area Business Alliance for Sustainability
Washington DC Chapter Architects Institute of America Committee on the Environment
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"The Natural Step is an innovative approach for motivating private and governmental organizations to become leaders in the new era of sustainable practices."
Former Oregon Governor John Kitzhaber
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