© georgia institute of technology & georgia tech research institute; 2000 all rights reserved...
TRANSCRIPT
© Georgia Institute of Technology & Georgia Tech Research Institute; 2000All rights reserved
Sustainability 601:From Theory to Application
What is Sustainability and How do I make it work at my Organization?
What is Sustainability and How do I make it work at my Organization?What is Sustainability and How Do I Make it Work in my Organization ?
Overview
What isis Sustainability?
Frameworks & Processes
Training (in four easy workshops)
Education (now and forever)
Sustainability: A Contested Concept
Ambiguous definitions vs. meaningless terminology
Critical limits vs. competing objectives
Intra vs. Intergenerational equity
Anthropocentrism vs. non-anthropocentrism
Critical Limits: A Signed Declaration “The Earth is finite. Its ability to absorb wastes
and destructive effluent is finite. Its ability to provide for growing numbers of people is finite. And we are fast approaching many of the Earth’s limits. Current economic practices…cannot be continued without the risk that global systems will be damaged beyond repair. Pressures from unrestrained population growth puts demands on the natural world that can overwhelm any efforts to achieve a sustainable future.”
Source: (quoted in Scott 1995)
Sustainable Development
Development has been interpreted as growth in economic activity
EcosystemSolar energy
Heat
The Economy as an Open Subsystem of the EcosystemRedrawn from Figure 3 in (Daly 1996, p.49).
Economy
Matter Matter
Energy Energy
Recycle
Sustainable development is the ideology of development without growth
How big should it get?
Economy
Competing Objectives: Dimensions of Sustainable Development
Developed from the World BankPresented by Dr. Jorge Vanegas at Building Energy 1997
Economic
EnvironmentalSocial
issues of valuation in a global context
issues of intra-generational
equityTechnologyas a means to achieve economic, social and environmental goals
issues of inter-generational
equityfocus on stability of social
and cultural systemsfocus on stability of biological
and physical systems
focus on maximizing income while maintaining thestock of capital assets
(human, natural and manufacturing capital)
“The real world of interlocked economic and ecological systems will not change; the policies and institutions concerned must.”
-Our Common Future-
Sustainable Design and Development “Sustainable development is a process of
change in which the direction of investmentdirection of investment, the the orientation of technologyorientation of technology, the allocation of the allocation of resourcesresources, and the development and functioning the development and functioning of institutionsof institutions meet present needs and aspirations without endangering the capacity of natural systems to absorb the effects of human activities, and without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs and aspirations.”
Sustainability is recognizing the need… attempting to understand the problem and taking action
Understanding begins with the ability to distinguish between sustainable and unsustainable human activity
The warning signs are all around us…
……consciouslyconsciously deciding to deciding to ignore the warning signs…ignore the warning signs………consciouslyconsciously deciding to deciding to ignore the warning signs…ignore the warning signs…
depletion of non-renewable resources like fossil fuels, top soil, and minerals
atmospheric acidification
greenhouse effectfisheries depletioncontinued use of harmful
synthetic chemicals
biological species extinction
traffic congestion
land degradation solid waste
ozone depletion
toxic pollution
desertification
urban air pollution
climate change
UnUnsustainable design includes…
deforestation heat island effect
There is no excuse for clearly unsustainable behavior…
More than water ends up in the creek due to storm water run-off from a local neighborhood near Augusta,GA.
….an Ethos….an Ethossustainable communities
industrial symbiosis
pollution prevention
water quality
water quantity
renewable energy supply and productionreduced infrastructure
accountability
quality of life
smart growth
social justice
habitat protection
environmental equity
restorationpreservation
adaptive reuse
Sustainable design includes…
de-construction
de-materialization
A step in the right direction is to acknowledge and support the technology that is indicative of sustainable behavior
… yet hold that technology accountable…
It’s a start…
Mass composting at the Myrtle Beach Wastewater Treatment Plant.
Tertiary water treatment (constructed wetlands). Augusta, GA.
Where do II start?There are many things you can do to get started:
Educate yourself and others
Talk with your colleagues
Evaluate your organization’s situation
Obtain resources
Identify early stakeholders
Engage outside assistance
Learn more about your organization
Educating yourself and others
Sustainability is a complex and mature concept. In order to proceed, we recommend that you explore these references to understand and embrace the concepts. The essential literature Book clubs Sustainability Training Web sites, newsletters Conferences
Sustainability Frameworks
Natural Capitalism“Four Tools”
The Natural Step“Four Rules”
Natural Capitalism
Natural Capital is the stock of environmentally provided assets that provide a flow of useful goods or services
The Four Tools Radical Resource Productivity Biomimicry Service and Flow Economy Investing in Natural Capital
Four Rules – “system conditions”• In a sustainable society, nature
is not subject to increasing…1. … concentrations of substances
extracted from the Earth’s crust;2. … concentrations of substances
produced by society;3. … degradation by physical means.4. And basic needs are met
worldwide.
System Condition 1
In a sustainable society, nature is not subject to systematically increasing:
… concentrations of substances extracted from the Earth’s crust.
What does this mean?Who’s got an example?
System Condition 1In a sustainable society, nature is not subject to systematically increasing concentrations of substances extracted from the Earth’s crust.
This means substituting certain minerals that are scarce in nature with others that are more abundant, using all mined materials efficiently by reusing them in closed loops, and systematically reducing dependence on non-renewable materials and fuels.
Telling Indicators Humans place more than 300 times more lead
into the environment than can dissipate naturally, 23 times more zinc, and 38 times more antimony.
In 2000, mines extracted 900M tons of metal and produced 6B tons of waste ore worldwide
Projected US clean-up costs for mines is $24B Worldwide, mining provides 1% of jobs and is
responsible for 5% of the work-related deaths (14,000/year)
System Condition 2In a sustainable society, nature is not subject to systematically increasing:…concentrations of substances produced by society.
What does this mean? Who’s got an example?Where were the compounds listed here found?
System Condition 2
In a sustainable society, natureis not subject to systematicallyincreasing concentrations of substances produced by society.
This means systematically reducing dependence on synthetic compounds known, or suspected to be, harmful to living systems.
Telling Indicators The cost for clean-up of synthetic organic
chemicals through the “Superfund” – about $87B from 1981 through 2010. Source: EPA
• This does not include mining or nuclear waste or any future materials to be regulated.
DOD has spent $27B, and estimates an additional $33B required
• This does not include range residues
System Condition 3
In a sustainable society, nature is not subject to increasing:
… degradation by physical means.
What does this mean?Who’s got an example?
System Condition 3
In a sustainable society, nature is not subject to increasing degradation by physical means.
This means that the productive mechanisms of nature are not diminished in quality or quantity, and we must not harvest nature beyond its capacity to regenerate.
© Georgia Institute of Technology & Georgia Tech Research Institute; 2000All rights reserved
Researchers estimate that nearly 60 percent of the world's reefs are now seriously threatened.
Source:http://www.nasa.gov/vision/earth/environment/coral.html
© Georgia Institute of Technology & Georgia Tech Research Institute; 2000All rights reserved
Source: World Resources 2000-2001
Low RiskLow Risk MediumMedium HigHighh
Reefs at Risk
Three billion people depend on reefs for their major source of protein.
System Condition 4
In a sustainable society:
Basic needs are met worldwide.
What does this mean?Who’s got an example?
System Condition 4
In a sustainable society, basic needs are met worldwide.
This means using resources efficiently, fairly and responsibly, so that the needs of all people, now and in the future, stand the best chance of being met.
Telling IndicatorsAfghanistan facts: 23.8 million people => 44m by 2025 Life expectancy - 43.1 years 14.7 % infant mortality rate 13% access to safe drinking water 12% access to sanitation - 21% in 1970 3% or less forest lands 12% arable lands including forests Food production dropped by 40% 1995 to 2000
Source: Military Science of Environmental Security, Brief by COL Chris King, PhD, USMA
What to do?
The difference between what we do and what we are capable of doing would suffice to solve most of the world’s problems…
—Mohandas Gandhi
Time for a Quiz!
How far does your food travel?
Red Beans & Rice with Chicken
Total distance: ~4,032 miles!!!
US Army Definition
Sustainability – “a sustainable Army simultaneously meets current as well as future mission requirements worldwide, safeguards human health, improves quality of life, and enhances the natural environment.”
(Army Strategy for the Environment, 2004)
US Army Strategy for the Environment – Benefit from the Triple Bottom Line
Sounds pretty Simple
So…
How Do We Do It?How Do We Do It?
Organizational Change
Change doesn’t “just happen”
It is fundamentally a social process that involves changing people’s behavior through people talking to people
Compilation of current thinking in “Diffusion of Innovations” by Everett C. Rogers, 2003
Creating Change in Organizations – what you need to know
Marathon, not a sprint
Identify like-minded organizational allies
Target key leadership personnel
Study your organization’s vision for the future
Start to identify mission benefits and/or critical decision factors (plant the seed)
The Guide
Outlines the entire Process – From First Steps, through the 4 Workshops, to implementing the plan
Written by installation staff and HQ who have done it -- for those who want to.
Contains hotlinks to actual example documents, briefings, memos, etc that support the planning process
Available Soon
DDown toAction
CClearGoals
AAwareness
BBaseline
Strategic planning for sustainability – IMA ABCDEF Model
WHERE WE WANT TO BE
WHERE WE AREHOW WE GET THERE
E & FEvaluation and Feedback
WORKshop 1 – Awareness
Introduces strategic planning and sustainability
Stakeholders Form Teams to Discuss Organization Core Processes
Participants Begin to Understand Issues that affect the Future of the Organization
Power Projection & Deployment
Support
Military TrainingSupport
InfrastructureSupport
Safety & ForceProtection
Support
Well-BeingSupport
Transportation – Readiness
Business Center
Procurement -Directorate of
Contracting
RegionalDevelopment –
Plans Office
Infrastructure – Public Works
TrainingSupport - G3/DPTM
Fort Campbell Example - Initial Business Process Teams
Final Core Teams & Proponents
IdentifySustainability
Challenges(Workshop 1)
EXAMPLE:From Business Processes to Core
Teams
Review of strategic planning process and sustainability concepts
Participants work together to produce final draft baseline
Participants out-brief deliverables to GC on last day
WORKshop 2 – Baseline
Example Challenge StatementsTRANSPORTATION: How does Fort Campbell ensure clean, safe, cost-effective, and rapid deployment; while developing pollution-free, cost-effective, safe, and secure transportation systems in partnership with the local communities and states?
REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT: Fort Campbell and the surrounding communities already form a strong regional partnership. The reciprocal nature of the relationships effects overall quality of life. The challenge is how does the partnership move from a paradigm of unchecked growth to one of sustainable development in which quality of life is enhanced for all?
Commitment to “sustainability” principles
• Mission• Community• Environment
Engage stakeholders Buy-In/Shared Ownership Goal-setting
WORKshop 3 – Clear Goal (Setting)
Training Support• Goal 1: Optimize use of existing installation training lands and ranges to
support the mission.• Goal 2: Obtain contiguous and noncontiguous lands and airspace for
unrestricted ground and air maneuver use. Transportation: Lead a partnership to establish a comprehensive regional
transportation system that enhances Fort Campbell as a strategic deployment platform, and improves quality of life.
Procurement• Goal 1: Eliminate waste disposal by 2028.• Goal 2: Procure 100 percent sustainable goods and
services by 2028. Infrastructure
• Goal 1: No adverse impact to the quality of water resources due to point and non-point sources on Fort Campbell. Efficient use of existing water resources.
• Goal 2: Sustainable buildings and infrastructure that meet mission requirements.
Regional Development• Goal 1: Develop and implement a comprehensive regional development
plan that enhances the installation’s readiness mission.• Goal 2: Develop and implement a regional sustainability
outreach/education/awareness/incentive program.
Installation Sustainability GoalsInstallation Sustainability Goals
Describe an approach to developing a functional implementation plan.
The Plan: Provide a documented strategy for achieving the installation’s long range goals.
WORKshop 4 – Down to Action
Writing the Plan Why this step is important (“if
you fail to plan, you plan to fail”)
• Effective format to communicate requirements
• Plan keeps you guided in the direction you need to go
• Provides a step by step process
• Creates accountability
• Allows you to document the process
It is a living process…
No need to panic, it is part of a continual
improvement process!
ISP Implementatio
n, Run!!!
Team Approach Re-convene core teams Review Challenges and Goals Develop mid-term Objectives. Develop
measures and targets for each objective Identify the Actions necessary to complete
the Objectives Identify the Objective and Action Owners Estimate the resources needed to
accomplish each Action Assemble all the above into a draft
implementation plan
Each member of the team has a unique perspective…
An elephant has sharp
points
An elephant is like a snake
An elephant is like a wire
brush
An elephant can move
air
An elephant is like a rope
An elephant is soft & mushy
An elephant is like a tree
trunk
An elephant has a
suction valve
An elephant is like a
hydraulic press
The Final Step….
Integrate into existing management systems
Continuously engage teams and players
Resource the objectives
The Strategic Plan
Annual Work Plans
Functional plans
Environmental Management System (EMS)
Integrate into Existing Management Systems
How Does Sustainability Fit with EMS?
Sustainability is a long-range strategy that enables the Army to continue its mission.
Environmental Management System (EMS) is an operational tool to achieve short term objectives in support of Army long-range goals.
EMS & ISP are complimentary but should not be used exclusively.
The ISP provides strategic direction for the EMS.
Sustainability enables stakeholders to conduct a strategic analysis of the organization’s processes.
Sustainability & EMS Example
Strategic Planning, EMS and Sustainability
Situation AppraisalSituation Appraisal End StateEnd State ImplementationImplementation
Workshop 1ChallengesProducts:System mapsChallenge statements
Supporting ActivitiesTeam buildingBriefingsGap analysisData collection
Workshop 2BaselineProducts:Aspects & impactsDraft baseline
Supporting ActivitiesEngage communityBriefingsData collectionFinal baseline
Where are we now?Where are we now?
Workshop 3Goal SettingProducts:25-year goalsResponsibilitiesCommand validation
Where do we Where do we want to be?want to be?
Supporting ActivitiesTeam BuildingConference prepPolicy revision
Workshop 4Objectives/TargetsProducts:POM Cycle InputsInitiatives
How will we How will we do it?do it?
Supporting ActivitiesTeam BuildingConference prepPolicy revisionAdopt indicatorsRevise operationalcontrols
ReviewReview
ManagementReviewProducts:New objectivesand targetsAdditional operational controlsDocumentationof progressRevisions based onexternal drivers
Revise
How are we How are we doing?doing?
Plan Do Check
Engage• Outreach • Lessons learned • Recognition
Educate• Technical training • New technology identification and
evaluation
Engage and Educate
Outreach • Integrate sustainability into installation communication
forums • Publish newsletters and annual reports• Develop a database of change agents and stakeholders as the
implementation process goes forward
Lessons learned • Workshops and conferences• Communication between installations
Recognition • Seek awards for the teams• Recognize individuals and units locally
Engage
Technical Training• Professional development courses
• Sustainability training
New technology identification and evaluation
• Scan for new technologies
• Interact with research community
Educate
Time for
another
Quiz! Not really…
How many gallons of water does it take to produce or process…
1 ½ lb of hamburger – 1 1 board ft of lumber – 5 1 can of fruit or vegetable – 9 1 chicken – 12 1 lb of plastic – 24
How many gallons of water does it take to produce or process…
1 lb of wool or cotton – 101 1 barrel of crude oil - 1851 4 new tires – 2,072 1 new car w/ tires – 39,090 1 ton of steel – 62,600
It’s something to get
you thinking! and into action!
Just Do It
Questions???