OUR WORLD
costs, some of which are unthinkable: We are fast
approaching biophysical tipping points and risk irreversibly pushing the world into a state dangerously unfavorable to civilization and all higher lifeforms.
The historic COP 21 Paris Agreement shows that,
although we still lack sufficient plans even for urgent climate actions, we now have widespread, at
least partial, recognition of the need for profound
change. This is an urgent call to move further and
act faster to secure a sustainable future.
In order for agriculture, fisheries, transportation,
housing, industry and other crucial sectors to work
in the future, they all need to comply with the sustainability principles. We represent businesses
currently working to realize this transition towards
sustainability, and we know this to be true:
1. I t is already profitable and in our self-interest to
stepwise move our organizations towards full
sustainability.
2. T
his is possible because we set our goals by using
basic sustainability principles as the boundary
conditions for what will work in the future, and
then develop concrete actions to move strategically, taking steps at the right pace and in the
right order, towards these goals.
3. B
ut the transition is too slow. Many leaders in
businesses and municipalities would like to increase the pace of change and are now asking
for more proactive governance, including legislation and infrastructural investments.
4. The prevailing global economy is dominated
by norms and practices that rapidly consume
natural and social capital, funneling us globally into a future where the indispensable biosphere capacities are shrinking, and social stability is weakening. These mounting costs are
made invisible by dangerously flawed, current
economic accounting.
5. I ndividual organizations, regions and nations
do not have to wait for global agreements in
order to act on this call. Strategic sustainable
development in line with the above offers us a
competitive edge, while at the same time aiding society in the necessary global transition.
30 | NEW CONSCIOUSNESS REVIEW
The StepWise Method is a Framework for Strategic Sustainable Development (FSSD) that includes
guidelines for achieving ecological
and social sustainability alongside
improved economic returns. It was
adopted by a unique and growing group of corporate leaders and
owners in Sweden who meet regularly to discuss the application of
science for strategic sustainable
development to their respective organizations. They cover topics like
learning how to: deal with system
boundaries, evaluate trade-offs,
estimate sustainable resource and
market potential before investing in
new technologies, manage supply
chains and cooperate effectively
across sectors and disciplines. The
group members seek to identify
technologies and creative innovations that contribute to sustainability while also being economically
viable for their companies.
We call on business leaders and policymakers at all
levels to engage with the StepWise method, and to
adopt and implement sustainability strategies for
future-fit governance.
Anna Borgeryd, Chairman Polarbröd; Karin Bodin, CEO Polarbröd; Anders Ehrling, CEO
Braathens aviation; Martin Malmros, CEO Aura
Light; Jenny Lindén Urnes, Chairman Lindéngruppen; Erik Urnes, CEO Lindéngruppen; Johan Castwall, CEO Ports of Stockholm; Jonas
Kleberg, Chairman Soya Group; Torkel Elgh, CEO
Wallenius Water.