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www.balance3.com.au
The Knowledge Domain of The Knowledge Domain of SustainabilitySustainability
What we know What we know that we don’t knowthat we don’t know
that we know that we know
KMLF
25th July 2012
Leigh Baker
The next wave:sustainability = opportunity
Our growing knowledge base:
Body of theory: How to do good business on a finite planet.
Body of evidence: Strategic, integrated sustainability is profitable.
Body of practice: Innovation practices for restorative/regenerative business.
A body of THEORY on sustainability as opportunity
From the 1990s on, a body of theory has been developing, grounded in core sciences like chemistry and biology. It includes:
The Natural StepNatural CapitalismBiomimicryCradle to Cradle
Shift our thinking:our mindsets and mental models
Infinite resources / Infinite capacity
Finite resources / Finite capacity
1-way (Mine/Make/Dump) Closed loop / Industrial ecology
Manageable systems/controllable processes
Complexity / Constant change
Products / Production Processes Service / Flow / Value
Big complex technology solutions Smart local and small
Our business / our 4 walls Our supply chain / whole system
Competition Co-operation
Cost / Expense / Compliance Opportunity / fun / value / profit
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Straightforward principlesStraightforward principles
1. Everything is a service
2. There are NO wastes
3. Design for total safety
4. Design for re-manufacture
5. Copy natural processes
6. Use MUCH less
7. Think small, local and smart
Turn a waste into a product
Close the Loop: Melbourne cartridge recycling
eWood® and pre-fab garden beds
Industrial plastics colorant
Re-manufactured felt tip pens
Connect supply and demand
Brightfarms USA: Operating greenhouses on top of supermarkets.
http://blog.brightfarms.com/BrightFarmsaimstoinstallgreenhousesontherooftopsofsupermarkets
And many, many more…
LinkedIn Regenerative Business Discussion
http://www.linkedin.com/groups/Regenerative-Business-3694844
A body of EVIDENCE:sustainability = opportunity
From the 1990s onwards, a growing body of evidence from the MAINSTREAM of business and government in Australia and around the world is proving that integrated, strategic sustainability is profitable (and fun).
There is no dilemma, there is no “problem” and there is no single magic wand.
The Woking story“In the late 1980s Woking Borough Council (WBC) was looking to make cost savings and identified its energy budget as an area where these savings could be made…” They started with energy efficient lighting and went on to deliver locally-generated combined heat & power (CHP).
“By 2004 the authority had reduced emissions of CO2 from within its own estate by 77.4% (142,013 tonnes) on 1990 levels…”
And:– Residents were paying the same price for power and heating as
they previously paid for heating.– As the council was providing the energy, they had a new income
stream.
(NOTE: Allan Jones [OBE] is now working in Sydney)
http://www.ideascentre.co.uk/download/file?ref=68
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The Interface StoryThe Interface StoryThe Interface StoryThe Interface StoryIn 1994, after 21 years in business, Interface Flooring made a “mid-course correction”. Their founder set them a new goal - to become the world’s first RESTORATIVE business.
They took a sledgehammer to conventional wisdom and turned their ideas about their business upside down.
As a result of this correction, from 1996 to 2008:- They cut GHG emissions by 71%- They avoided $405 million in costs- Powered 7 of their 10 factories with renewable energy.- Reduced their scrap sent to landfill by 78%
While:- Sales increased by two-thirds- Earnings doubled- They built a strong reputation in their market for a unique
product range.
They proved that: “Done right, sustainability doesn’t cost. It pays.”
Ontera AustraliaSydney carpet company Ontera has profited significantly from their sustainability strategy, and their five year results show they're making great progress "climbing Mount Sustainability". Some of their results so far include:
40 per cent reduction in electricity and gas use (per m2 finished) over five years. 25 per cent reduction in waste over five years. 40 per cent reduction in water consumption in five years
From a regenerative perspective, their loop-closing explorations are particularly interesting:
Diverting used carpet tile from landfill into local reuse and recycling initiatives: and Turning waste trim into an input to carpet underlay manufacture.
Body of PRACTICE
Rooted in business development and innovation adoption:
Begin with the end in mindBuild understandingSet BHAGsShop-floor led innovationMeasure and publicise performance (game it up)Reward achievement
The KM Challenge
We know the bulk of what we need to know to implement an exciting, rewarding, sustainable future:
Coherent theory;
Evidence that the theory works;
Implementation practices (the how of the how).
How do we mobilise what we know?
How can we take existing knowledge bases like…
Leadership and management
Innovation adoption
Business development
Marketing
Lean / TQM / Zero waste
Systems thinking
And add fascinating new fields of knowledge…
Life Cycle Analysis
Biomimicry
Industrial ecology
Clean Technology