The Natural Step for Business: Wealth, Ecology and the Evolutionary Corporation (Conscientious Commerce)

The Natural Step for Business examines how four very successful "evolutionary" corporations in Sweden and the United States - including IKEA and Scandic Hotels in Sweden, and Collins Pine and Interface in the U.S. - are positioning themselves for long-term competitiveness using The Natural Step as a central part of their corporate strategy. Nattrass and Altomare puncture the myth that a company must choose between profitability and care for the natural environment, and present a timely and practical application of this exciting model for global sustainability. Overview: Corporations Have Customarily Viewed Environmentalism As A Threat To The Bottom Line. But Savvy Corporate Executives Have Regarded The Sustainability Imperative As An Opportunity To Gain Competitive Advantage, Reduce Costs, Increase Employee Loyalty, And Stimulate Greater Innovation While Improving The Health Of Both Planet And People. The Natural Step Model For Sustainability Has Gained International Acclaim From Some Of The World's Most Respected Scientists. In This First Book In English On The Topic, The Authors Explain The Natural Step And Reveal Through Detailed Case Studies How Four Leading Corporations - Ikea, Scandic Hotels, Interface, And Collins Pine - Are Using It To Great Advantage As A Central Part Of Their Corporate Strategies. Timely, Practical, And Exciting, The Natural Step For Business Will Be Of Special Interest To Business Leaders, Environmentalists, And All Students Of Sustainability. Pt. 1. Designing The Future -- 1. Challenge Of Design: An Introduction -- 2. New Framework For Management -- 3. Scientific Background To The Natural Step -- Pt. 2. Business Of Sustainable Development -- 4. Ikea: Nothing Is Impossible -- 5. Scandic Hotels: Interactive Values Creation -- 6. Interface Inc.: The Next Industrial Revolution -- 7. Collins Pine Company: Journey To Sustainability -- Pt. 3. Evolutionary Journey -- 8. Transformation By Design: Lessons, Tools, And Methodologies -- 9. Compass For Environmental Management Systems / Susan Burns -- 10. Evolutionary Corporation. Brian Nattrass And Mary Altomare ; Foreward By Karl-henrik Robert ; Afterword By Paul Hawken. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 208-212) And Index. This book examines how four very successful "evolutionary" corporations in Sweden and the United States - including IKEA and Scandic Hotels in Sweden, and Collins Pine and Interface in the U.S. - are positioning themselves for long-term competitiveness using The Natural Step as a central part of their corporate strategy. Nattrass and Altomare puncture the myth that a company must choose between profitability and care for the natural environment, and present a timely and practical application of this exciting model for global sustainability Employing a revolutionary science-based system for economical and environmental sustainability, The Natural Step for Business lays the groundwork for tomorrow's successful businesses.