© 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???