Shannon JuddGreening Tribal Facilities TrainingSan Diego, CA December 9-11, 2014

The Four Principles of Sustainability

OverviewThe Four Principles of Sustainability

Quick Wins, Short Term Goals, Long Term Goals

Action Planning Based on Issues and Goals

Triple Bottom Line Analysis for Project Buy-In

Training in the Four Principles of Sustainability

Sustainable Twin Ports out of Duluth provides training based on a program founded in Sweden called “The Natural Step Framework (TNS) for Sustainability”

Focuses on a “science and systems-approach” to sustainability.

Provides a guide for establishing goals and monitoring progress and value as time progresses.

Fond du Lac has sent three teams through this program.

Definitions of SustainabilityTo achieve sustainability, a system must be

ecologically sound, economically viable, socially just, and humane (embodying our highest values—how we treat animals, people, and the Earth). Alliance for Sustainability, Manna, 1984 and www.afors.org

Everything that we need for our survival and well-being depends, either directly or indirectly, on our natural environment. Sustainability creates and maintains the conditions under which humans and nature can exist in productive harmony, that permit fulfilling the social, economic and other requirements of present and future generations. US EPA http://www.epa.gov/sustainability/basicinfo.htm

Enough for all forever. African Delegate to Johannesburg (Rio+10).

TNS: Four Sustainability Principles

w w w . s u s t a i n a b l e t w i n p o r t s . o r g

In a sustainable society, nature is not subject to systematically increasing...

...concentrations of substances extracted from the Earth’s crust,

...concentrations of substances produced by society,

...degradation by physical means,

and, in that society...

...people are not subject to conditions that systematically undermine their capacity to meet their needs.

Ways We Are Un-Sustainable

w w w. s u s t a i n a b l e t w i n p o r t s . o r g

we dig stuff (ie: heavy metals, fossil fuels, etc.) out of the Earth and allow it to build up faster than nature can cope with it

we create man-made compounds and chemicals (ie: pesticides & fire retardants in carpets, etc.) and allow them to build up faster than nature can cope with them

we continuously damage natural systems and the free services they provide (including climate regulation and water filtration) by physical means (ie: overharvesting & paving wetlands)

and . . .we live in and create societies in which many people cannot meet their basic needs (ie: to find affordable housing)

1 – Dig

2 – Create

3 – Damage

4 –Impede

The Cycles of Nature

w w w . s u s t a i n a b l e t w i n p o r t s . o r g

Slow geological cycles (volcano eruptions and weathering)

Slow geological cycles (sedimentation and mineralization)

Closed system with respect to matter1) Nothing disappears

2) Everything disperses

Open system with respect to energy

« Photosynthesis pays the bills »

Sustainability is about the ability of

our own human society to continue indefinitely within

these natural cycles

How We Influence Natural Cycles

w w w . s u s t a i n a b l e t w i n p o r t s . o r g

Human impact can be grouped into 3 scientificcategories and 1 societal category

Relatively large flows of materials from the Earth’s crust

Introduce persistent compounds foreign to nature

Physically inhibit nature’s ability to run cycles

Barriers to people meeting

their basic needs

worldwide

How do our programs apply? Examples of Principles in Processes

SP

Development

Does the organization’s development decisions lead to …

Procurement

Does the organization procure…

Operations

Does the organization have operational practices that lead to…

Use

Does the use of the organizations facilities lead to…

Disposal

Does the disposal of the organization’s waste lead to…

1 - Dig … metals being used in dissipative manner?

…metals not being reused in closed technical loops?

…inefficient use of fossil fuel based energy?

…products that contain trace metals and minerals (e.g. cadmium in paint-dyes, etc…)?

…fossil-fuel based energy (e.g. fuels for transport, coal-fired electricity)

…inefficient use of fossil-fuel based energy and metals (wasting fuel or building materials)?

… products that contain trace metals and minerals being dispersed?

… trace metals being dispersed?

…inefficient use of fossil fuel- based energy?

… trace metals being dispersed?

…inefficient use of fossil fuel- based energy?

…metals not being reused in closed technical loops?

2= Create

… synthetic substances (in particular those that contain persistent compounds) being dispersed in nature?

…synthetic substances not being reused in closed technical loops?

…products with synthetic substances (in particular those that contain persistent compounds) (e.g. volatile organic compounds in cleaners, paints and adhesives, CFCs in refrigerants, brominated fire-retardants in electronics, etc…)?

…inefficient use of synthetic substances (in particular those that contain persistent compounds)?

…products that contains synthetic substances being dispersed?

…synthetic substances being dispersed (in particular those that contain persistent compounds) (e.g. cleaning chemicals)?

… synthetic substances (in particular those that contain persistent compounds) being dispersed?

…synthetic substances not being reused in closed technical loops?

3-Damage

… continuous direct encroachment into natural areas (e.g. urban design practices that result in urban sprawl)?

…dependence on virgin natural fiber materials (e.g. wood)?

…inefficient use of water?

…products with natural fibers from unsustainably harvested renewable resources (e.g. lumber from non-FSC-certified forests)?

…products from companies with non-restorative mining practices leading to ongoing encroachment on natural systems?

…inefficient use of natural fiber products (e.g. wasting lumber)?

…the inefficient use of water?

…ongoing physical encroachment via the use of ever enlarging landfills to manage waste?

…the inefficient use of water?

…ongoing physical encroachment via the use of landfills to manage waste?

…dependence on virgin natural fiber materials (e.g. wood)?

4 -Impede

…conditions that act as barriers to people meeting their human needs?

….food deserts?

….transportation

… products that come from regions or companies where authorities create obstacles for people to meet their needs?... products that create economic conditions that hinder people from meeting their needs?...products that lead to unsafe and unhealthy work environments or create these environments in local communities?

…unsafe working conditions?

…conditions that acts as barriers to people meeting their human needs?

…unsafe living conditions?

…unsafe working conditions?

What’s next?Brainstorm your organization in relation to

the four sustainability principles:How do various aspects of your organization

impact and relate to these principles?What are you doing well? What needs

improvement?Establish goals

Goals: Quick Wins, Short Term, Long Term

Establish a VisionWhere would you

like to see your community in 15-20 years?

These can be ‘outrageous’ and seemingly unfeasible!

ZERO

WASTE

Eco-Municipality

Off the grid

How do you make progress towards your vision?Quick WinsShort Term GoalsLong Term Goals

Goals: Quick Wins

Quick wins can be accomplished in 1-2 months.

What would have impact and motivate further change?

Goals: Short Term GoalsShort term goals can

build off of your quick wins

Short term goals are those that can be accomplished in 1-2 years

Goals: Long Term GoalsBuild closer to your

ideal with long term goals

Long term goals can be accomplished within 5-10 years

Farm to

School

Zero Food Waste

Organize GoalsPlace goals into appropriate categories.

Examples:EnergyMaterials ManagementPurchasingMaintenanceCurriculumTransportationBuildings and InfrastructureWater

ENERGY & WASTE

BUILDINGS & GROUNDS

MAINTENANCE & CUSTODIAL

WATER & WASTE WATER

PURCHASING & WASTE

FOOD & WASTE

TRANSPORTATION, TRAVEL & EMISSIONS

CURRICULUIM & TRAININGStudents, Employees, Supply Chain, etc

INTERNALSTAKEHOLDERS:Employees, Students, Decision-Makers, etc

BUSINESSSTAKEHOLDERS:Vendors, Unions, Investors, Etc

COMMUNITYSTAKEHOLDERS:Citizens, Parents, Charities, Gov’t, Neighbors, etc

1 Shut down computers at night & weekends (1,2,3,QW)

Research local ‘green’ landscaping service options (2,QW)

Pursue use of Active-Ion type cleaning product, Green Seal Certified. Replace all toxic products with biodegradables(2,4,?)

Install low-flow faucets(1,2,4 ?)

Get list of all office supplies currently purchased & research alternative sustainable products (1,2,3,QW?)

Ask for locally grown or produced foods(1,2,3,4,QW)

Collect data on employee commuting for emissions, develop alternatives to driving to work(1,2,4,?)

Educate employees on SPs & good practices(1,2,3,4,?)

Develop new corporate policies(1,2,3,4,BI)

Communicate new priorities with vendors to prepare for purchasing changes(1,2,3,4,BI)

Develop simple marketing of new efforts & direction(4,?)

w w w . s u s t a i n a b l e t w i n p o r t s . o r g

ASPECT MATRIX

Action Planning

Action Planning Cont.

Action Planning Cont.

The ABCD Process

w w w . s u s t a i n a b l e t w i n p o r t s . o r g

Awareness

Baseline

Compelling Vision

Down To ActionPresent

Future

Does it move us in the right direction?

Is it a flexible platform?

Is it a good return on investment?What’s our current reality?

Economic Analysis

Environmental Analysis

Social Impacts Analysis

• What are the cost benefits of the project?

• What is the payback period?

• What are potential economic losses with or without the project?

How does your project improve the environment?

Which contractor offers services that will help your program reduce impacts to the environment?

What impacts do operations have on the environment (i.e. GHG emissions from older vehicles vs. new)?

• Do community members or employees benefit from the project?

• Are you sourcing local services or products?

• What contributions have vendors made in the community?

• What is the economic impact on the community? Employment levels?

• What are employee benefits?

• Are safety plans in place?

• Are workers treated fairly and paid a good wage?

• Is the project helping people meet their needs?

• Any others?

Fond du Lac Projects

Recommended ResourcesThe Natural Step for Communities: “ How

Cities and Towns can Change to Sustainable Practices. Sarah James and Torbjorn Lahti

The Sustainability Champion’s Guidebook: How to Transform your Company. Bob Willard

The United Nations Model Local Sustainability Plan: Agenda 21 http://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/index.html

DVD- “The Power of Community: How Cuba Survived Peak Oil”

DVD- “A Convenient Truth: Urban Solutions from Curitiba, Brazil”

Questions??

Group ActivityBased on the category assigned to your

group, brainstorm impacts based on the Four Sustainability Principles. Also identify things your organizations are doing well in respect to these principles!

Develop a vision for your community.Identify one or two goals related to the

impacts you identified.Create a list of pros and cons related to your

goals using triple bottom line analysis: economics, environmental impact, social impacts.

Group AssignmentsGroup 1: HousingGroup 2: Community Solid Waste ProgramGroup 3: Program FacilitiesGroup 4: Procurement ProceduresGroup 5: Hotel OperationsGroup 6: Casino Operations