I S S P- S A STUDY GUIDE

P R E V IE W

F I R S T E D I T I O N , 2 0 1 6

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This Study Guide is intended to assist candidates in preparing for the ISSP Sustainability Associate (ISSP-SA) exam with guidance on how to organize their study efforts. It is not intended to be the sole source of information as knowledge needed to pass the exam should come from a variety of sources, including but not limited to the ISSP Core Competency Study, the ISSP Body of Knowledge and the ISSP Job Task Analysis. Using this Study Guide is not a guarantee that a candidate will successfully pass the exam. As a condition of use, the user covenants not to sue and agrees to waive and release the International Society of Sustainability Professionals, its officers, directors, staff, and volunteers from any and all claims, demands, and causes of action for any injuries, losses, or damages (including, without limitation, failure to pass any International Society of Sustainability Professionals exams) that the user may now or hereafter have a right to assert against such parties as a result of the use of, or reliance on, the Study Guide.

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International Society of Sustainability Professionals

1429 Park St, Suite 114

Hartford, CT 06106

ISBN: 978-0-9983925-0-9

Lucinda Brown, ISSP Board Director, Research & Resource Chair, Project Manager, Lead Co-AuthorChristopher Juniper, Task Force Chair, Lead Co-AuthorSteve Flannery, EditorBeverly Oviedo, Instructional Designer

The report has been created by contributions from: Madhav Acharya, Rob Andrejewski, Dorothy Atwood, Sarah Beaubien, Steve Boss, Kathryn Cooper, Julian Crawford, Joan Darvish-Rouhani, Paola Fiore, Neal Forsthoefel, Ian Gesch, Sue Ide, Justin Imiola, João Marcello Macedo Leme, KJ McCorry, Jeffery Omelchuk, Steven Parker, Illene Pevec, Aurora Reinke, Oscar Rodriguez-Gonzalez, Rosalinda Sanquiche, Kelly Simmons, Lesley Stone, Shannon Tocchini, Oxana Trotsenko, Jerry Unruh, Marsha Willard, and Jeffrey Yorzyk.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The ISSP Sustainability Associate (ISSP-SA) Study Guide is a valuable tool for sustainability practi-tioners preparing to attain the ISSP Sustainability Associate (ISSP-SA) credential. We are extremely grateful to those who were involved in the creation of this resource.

ISSP Management

Maureen Hart, Executive Director

Study Guide Task Force

Support for this study guide was provided by:

H K Allison Projects For Sustainability, Communication Design Team, Project Lead: Nicole Langstaff

The Dragonfly Fund

www.sustainabilityprofessionals.orgAcknowledgements i

IS SP–SA S T UDY GUIDE

www.sustainabilityprofessionals.orgTable of Contents ii

I S S P – S A S T U D Y G U I D E

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Chapter Table of ContentsIntroduction ...........................................................................................................................1Chapter One: Issues, Trends, Impacts and Perspectives ............................................................6

Defining Sustainability and Sustainable Development ........................................................ 7Key Social Issues ......................................................................................................... 11Key Environmental Issues ............................................................................................. 15Key Economic Issues .................................................................................................... 24

Chapter Two: Social Justice, Impact, and Responsibility ........................................................37Engaging Stakeholders ................................................................................................. 38Engaging Employees ..................................................................................................... 40Customers and constituents .......................................................................................... 43Engaging Suppliers ...................................................................................................... 44Engaging Communities ................................................................................................. 44Engaging Future Generations ........................................................................................ 45

Chapter Three: Frameworks and Principles ...........................................................................50Sustainability Frameworks ............................................................................................ 51Sustainability Principles ............................................................................................... 56

Chapter Four: Systems Thinking and Interdependencies ........................................................66Systems Structure and Behavior ..................................................................................... 68Applying Systems Thinking .......................................................................................... 71Examples of Interdependencies ...................................................................................... 72

Chapter Five: Benefits of Sustainability Practices ..................................................................77Enterprise Practices and Benefits ................................................................................... 79Social Practices and Benefits ......................................................................................... 83Governance Practices and Benefits ................................................................................ 85Summary of Sustainability Benefits ................................................................................ 86

Chapter Six: Historical Background and Events .....................................................................92The Industrial Age ...................................................................................................... 93The Birth of Environmentalism ..................................................................................... 94Toward Sustainable Development .................................................................................. 97At-a-Glance History of Sustainable Development .......................................................... 100

Chapter Seven: Global Institutions, Policies and Initiatives .................................................. 105Global Institutions .................................................................................................... 106Global Policies and Initiatives .................................................................................... 113

Chapter Eight: Regulatory Trends and Policies .................................................................... 122Mechanisms for Driving Behavior Change ..................................................................... 123Mechanisms for Addressing Economic Issues ................................................................. 125Mechanisms for Addressing Environmental Issues .......................................................... 127Mechanisms for Addressing Social Issues ...................................................................... 134

Chapter Nine: Standards, Protocols, and Certifications ........................................................ 143Standards and Protocols ............................................................................................. 144Certifications & Labeling ........................................................................................... 152Scorecards ................................................................................................................ 161

Chapter Ten: Technology, Tools, and Innovations ................................................................ 167Technologies and Innovations ..................................................................................... 168Tools and Techniques ................................................................................................. 177Case Studies ............................................................................................................. 183

Glossary of Terms ............................................................................................................... 190Acronyms ........................................................................................................................... 227

www.sustainabilityprofessionals.orgChapter One 6I S S P – S A S T U D Y G U I D E

CHAPTER ONEIssues, Trends, Impacts and Perspectives

Chapter Table of ContentsPurpose ....................................................................................................................................7Overview .................................................................................................................................7Defining Sustainability and Sustainable Development ....................................................................7

Valuing All Forms of Capital ........................................................................................... 8Weak versus Strong Sustainability ................................................................................... 8Limits to Growth ........................................................................................................... 9The I=PAT Equation .................................................................................................... 10The Commons ............................................................................................................ 11Interconnectivity ........................................................................................................ 11

Key Social Issues .....................................................................................................................11Basic Human Needs ..................................................................................................... 12Equity ........................................................................................................................ 13Human rights .............................................................................................................. 13Justice – Social and Environmental ................................................................................ 14

Key Environmental Issues .........................................................................................................15Climate Change .......................................................................................................... 15

Greenhouse Effect ................................................................................................ 15Atmospheric Concentrations of GHGs .................................................................... 16Global Warming Potential and CO2 Equivalents ....................................................... 17Total Emissions and Emissions Ratios ...................................................................... 17Growing Methane Contributions ............................................................................ 18Global Temperatures ............................................................................................. 18Ocean Acidification ............................................................................................. 19Rise in Sea Levels................................................................................................. 19

Decline of Natural Capital ............................................................................................ 20Biodiversity, Habitat, Land Use .............................................................................. 20Toxins in the Environment .................................................................................... 21Air Pollution ....................................................................................................... 22Atmospheric Ozone .............................................................................................. 23Water ................................................................................................................. 23

Key Economic Issues ................................................................................................................24Setting Economic Priorities .......................................................................................... 24

Accounting for Externalities .................................................................................. 25Managing for the Long-Term .................................................................................. 25Measures of Progress ............................................................................................. 26

Sustainable Economic Models ....................................................................................... 27Steady-State Economy .......................................................................................... 27Circular Economy ................................................................................................. 27

Sustainable Markets ..................................................................................................... 28Sustainable Consumption ...................................................................................... 28Lifestyles of Health and Sustainability (LOHAS) ...................................................... 29

Additional Resources ...............................................................................................................31Chapter One Endnotes ........................................................................................................ 32

www.sustainabilityprofessionals.orgChapter Two 37

I S S P – S A S T U D Y G U I D E

CHAPTER TWOSocial Justice, Impact, and Responsibility

Chapter Table of ContentsPurpose ..................................................................................................................................38Overview ...............................................................................................................................38Engaging Stakeholders .............................................................................................................38Engaging Employees .................................................................................................................40

Child and Slave Labor ................................................................................................. 40Workplace Health and Safety ........................................................................................ 40Livable Compensation ................................................................................................. 40Employee Ownership ................................................................................................... 41Employee Engagement and Work-Life Balance ................................................................. 42Education and Training ................................................................................................ 42

Customers and constituents ......................................................................................................43Customers and Constituents as Stakeholders ................................................................... 43Inclusive Business........................................................................................................ 44

Engaging Suppliers ..................................................................................................................44Ethical Sourcing / Fair Trade ......................................................................................... 44

Engaging Communities .............................................................................................................44Community Contributions and Involvement ................................................................... 44Environmental and Social Justice .................................................................................. 45

Engaging Future Generations ....................................................................................................45Youth Stakeholders ...................................................................................................... 45Intergenerational Responsibility .................................................................................... 46

Additional Resources ...............................................................................................................47Chapter Two Endnotes ........................................................................................................ 48

www.sustainabilityprofessionals.orgChapter Three 50

I S S P – S A S T U D Y G U I D E

CHAPTER THREEFrameworks and Principles

Chapter Table of ContentsPurpose ..................................................................................................................................51Overview ...............................................................................................................................51Sustainability Frameworks ........................................................................................................51

The Natural Step (TNS) .............................................................................................. 51Triple Bottom Line (TBL) ............................................................................................ 54Community Capitals Framework .................................................................................... 55Adapting and Using Frameworks .................................................................................... 55

Sustainability Principles ...........................................................................................................56Foundational Principles ................................................................................................ 56

Rio Declaration.................................................................................................... 56Earth Charter ...................................................................................................... 57Precautionary Principle ......................................................................................... 58Principles of Environmental Law ............................................................................ 58Principles of Natural Systems ................................................................................. 59

Principles for Organizations .......................................................................................... 59UN Global Compact ............................................................................................. 59UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights .............................................. 60Ceres Principles ................................................................................................... 60Equator Principles ................................................................................................ 61Melbourne Principles for Sustainable Cities ............................................................. 61

Principles for Production .............................................................................................. 61Industrial Ecology................................................................................................. 61Hannover Principles ............................................................................................. 62

Additional Resources ...............................................................................................................63Chapter Three Endnotes...................................................................................................... 64

www.sustainabilityprofessionals.orgChapter Four 66

I S S P – S A S T U D Y G U I D E

CHAPTER FOURSystems Thinking and Interdependencies

Chapter Table of ContentsPurpose ..................................................................................................................................67Overview ...............................................................................................................................67Systems Structure and Behavior .................................................................................................68

Stocks and Flows ......................................................................................................... 69Dynamic Equilibrium and Complexity ............................................................................ 69Feedback Loops ........................................................................................................... 69Constraints ................................................................................................................ 70Resilience, Self-Organization, and Hierarchy ................................................................... 70System Archetypes ...................................................................................................... 70

Applying Systems Thinking ......................................................................................................71Mindsets and Mental Models ......................................................................................... 71Leverage Points ........................................................................................................... 72

Examples of Interdependencies ..................................................................................................72Human Behavior, Energy, and Climate Change ................................................................ 72Food, Water, and Energy Nexus ..................................................................................... 73Sustainable Agriculture and Reducing Hunger ................................................................. 74

Additional Resources ...............................................................................................................75Chapter Four Endnotes ........................................................................................................ 76

www.sustainabilityprofessionals.orgChapter Five 77

I S S P – S A S T U D Y G U I D E

CHAPTER FIVEBenefits of Sustainability Practices

Chapter Table of ContentsPurpose ..................................................................................................................................78Overview ...............................................................................................................................78Enterprise Practices and Benefits ...............................................................................................79

More Sustainable Products/Services ............................................................................... 79Products as Services ..................................................................................................... 80Zero Waste ................................................................................................................. 81Carbon Neutral ........................................................................................................... 82Water Neutrality ......................................................................................................... 83

Social Practices and Benefits .....................................................................................................83Work Environment ...................................................................................................... 83Charitable Contributions ............................................................................................. 84Community Involvement .............................................................................................. 84Supplier and Value Chain Relations ............................................................................... 85

Governance Practices and Benefits ............................................................................................85Transparency .............................................................................................................. 85

Summary of Sustainability Benefits ............................................................................................86Reduced Expenses ....................................................................................................... 87Increased Employee Productivity ................................................................................... 87Reduced Hiring and Attrition Expenses .......................................................................... 87Reduced Risks ............................................................................................................. 87Increased Profitability and Capital Attraction ................................................................. 88

Additional Resources ...............................................................................................................89Chapter Five Endnotes ........................................................................................................ 90

www.sustainabilityprofessionals.orgChapter Six 92I S S P – S A S T U D Y G U I D E

CHAPTER SIXHistorical Background and Events

Chapter Table of ContentsPurpose ..................................................................................................................................93Overview ...............................................................................................................................93The Industrial Age ..................................................................................................................93

Innovations of Industry ................................................................................................ 93Labor Rights ............................................................................................................... 94

The Birth of Environmentalism .................................................................................................94Civil Society .............................................................................................................. 94Environmental Health ................................................................................................. 95The Atomic Age ......................................................................................................... 96A Call to Action ......................................................................................................... 96

Toward Sustainable Development ..............................................................................................97Uniting Nations .......................................................................................................... 97Defining Sustainable Development ................................................................................ 97An Underlying Structure .............................................................................................. 97Effective International Collaboration ............................................................................. 98Continuous Improvement ............................................................................................. 98

At-a-Glance History of Sustainable Development ..................................................................... 100Additional Resources ............................................................................................................. 102Chapter Six Endnotes ....................................................................................................... 103

www.sustainabilityprofessionals.orgChapter Seven 105

I S S P – S A S T U D Y G U I D E

CHAPTER SEVENGlobal Institutions, Policies and Initiatives

Chapter Table of ContentsPurpose ................................................................................................................................ 106Overview ............................................................................................................................. 106Global Institutions ................................................................................................................ 106

UN Institutions......................................................................................................... 106UN Environmental Programme (UNEP) ................................................................ 107Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) .............................................. 107UN Development Programme (UNDP) .................................................................. 108World Health Organization (WHO) ...................................................................... 108International Court of Justice .............................................................................. 108

Multilateral Institutions ............................................................................................. 108Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) ......................... 108World Bank ....................................................................................................... 109World Trade Organization (WTO) ........................................................................ 109

Nongovernmental Organizations and Think-Tanks ......................................................... 109Business for Social Responsibility (BSR) ................................................................ 109Global Footprint Network ................................................................................... 110Greenpeace ....................................................................................................... 110ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability ........................................................ 110Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) ......................................................... 111International Society of Sustainability Professionals (ISSP) ..................................... 111International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) ......................................... 111Ocean Conservancy ............................................................................................ 112World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) .............................. 112World Green Building Council ............................................................................. 112World Resources Institute (WRI) .......................................................................... 112Worldwatch Institute .......................................................................................... 112

Global Policies and Initiatives ................................................................................................ 113Earth Summit in Rio 1992 .......................................................................................... 113

Rio Declaration on Environment and Development ................................................. 113Agenda 21 ......................................................................................................... 114UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) .................................... 114Statement of Forest Principles .............................................................................. 115UN Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) ...................................................... 115

Kyoto Protocol .......................................................................................................... 115Development Goals ................................................................................................... 116

Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) ............................................................... 116Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) ................................................................ 116

Vienna Convention & Montreal Protocol ..................................................................... 118Additional Resources ............................................................................................................. 119Chapter Seven Endnotes ................................................................................................... 120

www.sustainabilityprofessionals.orgChapter Eight 122

I S S P – S A S T U D Y G U I D E

CHAPTER EIGHTRegulatory Trends and Policies

Chapter Table of ContentsPurpose ................................................................................................................................ 123Overview ............................................................................................................................. 123Mechanisms for Driving Behavior Change ................................................................................. 123

Financial Incentives and Taxation ............................................................................... 123Policies for Fostering Sustainable Consumption ............................................................. 124Ensuring Accountability ............................................................................................. 125

Mechanisms for Addressing Economic Issues ............................................................................. 125Multilateral Agreements ............................................................................................. 125Regulations Encouraging Sustainable Business ............................................................... 126

Mechanisms for Addressing Environmental Issues ...................................................................... 127Creating Markets....................................................................................................... 127Using Taxes & Incentives ........................................................................................... 127Controlling Hazardous Substances ............................................................................... 128Making Producers Responsible .................................................................................... 129Managing Waste ........................................................................................................ 131Avoiding Resource Depletion ...................................................................................... 131Protecting Species ..................................................................................................... 132Restricting Land-Use ................................................................................................. 134

Mechanisms for Addressing Social Issues .................................................................................. 134Protecting Indigenous Rights ...................................................................................... 134Ending Slavery, Forced, and Child Labor ...................................................................... 135Defunding Conflicts .................................................................................................. 136Requiring Transparency .............................................................................................. 136

Additional Resources ............................................................................................................. 137Chapter Eight Endnotes .................................................................................................... 139

www.sustainabilityprofessionals.orgChapter Nine 143

I S S P – S A S T U D Y G U I D E

CHAPTER NINEStandards, Protocols, and Certifications

Chapter Table of ContentsPurpose ................................................................................................................................ 144Overview ............................................................................................................................. 144Standards and Protocols ......................................................................................................... 144

Standards ...................................................................................................................... 144International Organization for Standardization (ISO) .................................................. 144ISEAL Alliance ...................................................................................................... 145Global Initiative for Sustainability Reporting (GISR) .................................................. 146Social Accountability 8000 (SA 8000) ....................................................................... 147

Reporting Protocols ........................................................................................................ 147GHG Protocol – Inventorying and Reporting .............................................................. 148Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) .............................................................................. 149Voluntary Carbon Standard (VCS) ............................................................................ 150GRI Reporting Framework ........................................................................................ 150Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB) ..................................................... 151International Integrated Reporting Council (IIRC) ..................................................... 151

Certifications & Labeling ....................................................................................................... 152Environmental Product Declaration ........................................................................... 152

Enterprises .................................................................................................................... 152B Corporation ........................................................................................................ 152Green Globe .......................................................................................................... 152

Supply Chain ................................................................................................................ 153Fairtrade International (FLO) ................................................................................... 153Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) ............................................................................. 153Rainforest Alliance ................................................................................................. 154Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) .......................................................................... 154Organic Certifications ............................................................................................. 154

Energy and Carbon ......................................................................................................... 155ENERGY STAR ..................................................................................................... 155European ENERGY STAR ........................................................................................ 156Compliance Carbon Credits ..................................................................................... 156Voluntary Carbon Credits ........................................................................................ 156Green-e ................................................................................................................. 156

Manufactured Products ................................................................................................... 157Cradle to Cradle Certified ........................................................................................ 157EPEAT .................................................................................................................. 157Design for the Environment ..................................................................................... 157Green Seal ............................................................................................................. 158

Built Environment ......................................................................................................... 158Green Buildings ...................................................................................................... 158Sustainable Infrastructure ........................................................................................ 161

Scorecards ............................................................................................................................ 161Investments ................................................................................................................... 161

Socially Responsible Investing (SRI) ......................................................................... 161Dow Jones Sustainability Index ................................................................................. 162FTSE4Good ........................................................................................................... 162

Consumer Goods ............................................................................................................ 162GoodGuide ............................................................................................................ 162

Additional Resources ............................................................................................................. 163Chapter Nine Endnotes .......................................................................................................... 164

www.sustainabilityprofessionals.orgChapter Ten 167

I S S P – S A S T U D Y G U I D E

CHAPTER TENTechnology, Tools, and Innovations

Chapter Table of ContentsPurpose ................................................................................................................................ 168Overview ............................................................................................................................. 168Technologies and Innovations ................................................................................................. 168

Energy and Carbon .................................................................................................... 168Energy Efficiency................................................................................................ 168Renewable Energy .............................................................................................. 169Carbon Capture and Sequestration ........................................................................ 170

Water ...................................................................................................................... 170Desalination ...................................................................................................... 170Water Efficiency................................................................................................. 171

Materials and Waste .................................................................................................. 172Reduced Toxicity................................................................................................ 172Reuse ............................................................................................................... 173Recycling .......................................................................................................... 173Waste to Energy Systems ..................................................................................... 174

Product Design ......................................................................................................... 174Nanomaterials ................................................................................................... 174Dematerialization and Transmaterialization ............................................................ 174Lean Manufacturing ............................................................................................ 175Biomimicry ........................................................................................................ 175

Land and Ecosystem Management ................................................................................ 176Permaculture ..................................................................................................... 176Biodynamic Agriculture ...................................................................................... 177Bioremediation .................................................................................................. 177

Tools and Techniques ............................................................................................................. 177Implementation Systems ............................................................................................. 177

ISO 14001 ......................................................................................................... 177ABCD Planning Method ..................................................................................... 178VISIS ............................................................................................................... 179Balanced Scorecard ............................................................................................ 180

Assessments & Measurement ....................................................................................... 180Indicators ......................................................................................................... 180Millennium Ecosystem Assessment ........................................................................ 181Future Fit Business Benchmark (F2B2) .................................................................. 181S-CORE ............................................................................................................ 181Life-Cycle Assessment (LCA) .............................................................................. 182Life-Cycle Costing (LCC) ................................................................................... 182Return-on-investment ......................................................................................... 183

Case Studies ........................................................................................................................ 183Additional Resources ............................................................................................................. 185Chapter Ten Endnotes ....................................................................................................... 186