Our Approach: FSSD

Determining a shared understanding of what defines sustainability is only part of the picture. To work together collaboratively on sustainability challenges, it is also important that we have a shared framework to structure and inform our decision-making processes. At New Leaf, we use the Framework for Strategic Sustainable Development (also known as The Natural Step Framework) to provide a systems perspective for planning for sustainability.

The Framework for Strategic Sustainable Development consists of the five levels illustrated below:

The FSSD can be applied to numerous topics, and is most useful when dealing with complex systems such as the field of sustainability. By structuring our thinking into five distinct levels, we are able to more easily discuss the right questions and solutions needed to solve a particular issue. Often, the FSSD is used in conjunction with a planning process known as the ABCD process.

As an illustration of how the FSSD can be used in practice, let’s consider the game of chess and how we would breakdown chess into the five levels.

System

At the system level, we are concerned with the game rules, the playing pieces and the board. Understanding how they interact with one another and what the pieces can each do is the first step to understanding how to play chess.

Success

For chess, the way you win is to checkmate the other player’s king. Now this must occur by observing the rules of the game and abiding by the system defined in the previous level. Success must happen within our understanding of the system.

Strategic Guidelines

As with any game, there are numerous ways in which you can win. Determining a few strategic guidelines allow you to determine when to make trade-offs in the game. For example, you may decide that it is best to loose a pawn in order to move your queen to a better position. Strategic guidelines allow you determine what is a good and bad move in order to achieve success. Another important concept is known as backcasting from principles of success. Backcasting involves envisioning how you are going to win the game and then backcasting to your current position to determine what steps must be taken forward to reach that goal.

Actions

As the name implies, this level is when you actually move your queen from one space to another. Actions are the various steps required for you to win the game, and will look different for each player depending on their strategic guidelines.

Tools

This level involves the tools needed to help prepare you to play the game of chess better. This could include a strategy books or a computer to play against for practice. The tools support the chess player so that he can make more informed actions and improve his ability to win.

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