ABCD Strategic Planning Process Copyright 2007 The Natural

ABCD Awareness Creative Solutions Present Baseline Future Decide on Priorities Is it a step in the right direction? Is it a flexible platform? Is it a good return on investment? Copyright © 2007 The Natural Step

Applying the ABCD process Copyright © 2007 The Natural Step

A. Step 1. Gain an understanding of the larger system – the Biosphere 2. Define the sub-system in question • Your chosen river case 3. a. Envision a sustainable society to set the context • What are the key characteristics of a sustainable society? What will the life support systems look like in a sustainable society? b. Envision a sustainable river system (or part of it) • What are the key characteristics of such a system? Copyright © 2007 The Natural Step

ABCD Awareness Creative Solutions Present Baseline Future Decide on Priorities Is it a step in the right direction? Is it a flexible platform? Is it a good return on investment? Copyright © 2007 The Natural Step

B. Step – Sustainability Analysis 1. Determine scope of analysis. What is the subject of analysis (e. g. organization, system, product, etc) within the biosphere? 2. Determine stakeholders. 3. Identify the flows of inputs, outputs and waste. 4. Now analyze the system using the four system conditions 5. Identify key areas of improvement and positive assets that can be built upon. Copyright © 2007 The Natural Step

B 1 – Determine the scope • Your river / catchment / … Copyright

B 2 – Determine Stakeholders Political Factors For example political goals, guidelines, laws, taxes, subventions for environment Economical factors For example world market prize on raw material, relative prizes, inflation, interest, unemployment Customers Owners Competitors Partners Co-Workers Suppliers Politicians System General Public Community/Region Interest Groups Social Factors For example, lifestyle, values, culture, demography, ethics, trends in media and business Copyright © 2007 The Natural Step Media Researchers & Universities Technical Factors For example R&D, technical systems, standards, patent, environment and health aspects relative prizes

B 2 – Determine Stakeholders 1. In small groups list all the stakeholders who might impact or be impacted by the river system 2. Prioritize the top 5 stakeholder groups who will be most important to engage with. Copyright © 2007 The Natural Step

B 3 – Determine Flows Step #3: Identify inputs , outputs and waste Draw a diagram showing (for your case); • What are the Needs you are meeting in society? • What is the end product or service (Output)? • What goes in to make this (Input)? • What is left-over (Waste)? • What is Lost? Copyright © 2007 The Natural Step

Matrix of Human Needs Protection Affection Subsistence Understanding FUNDAMENTAL HUMAN NEEDS Freedom Participation Identity

B 4 – SC Analysis For your area of analysis, using the system conditions:

System Conditions System Success Strategy Action In a sustainable society, nature is not subject to systematically increasing. . . SC 1. . . concentrations of substances extracted from the Earth’s crust, SC 2. . . concentrations of substances produced by society, SC 3. . . degradation means, by physical and, in that society. . . Tools Copyright © 2007 The Natural Step SC 4. . . people are not subject to conditions that systematically undermine their capacity to meet their needs.

B 5 – Determine Significant Areas • Overall, what do you feel are the most significant sustainability challenges? • What are the key improvement areas? • What are the best assets it can build upon? Copyright © 2007 The Natural Step

ABCD Awareness Creative Solutions Present Baseline Future Decide on Priorities Is it a step in the right direction? Is it a flexible platform? Is it a good return on investment? Copyright © 2007 The Natural Step

C. Step 1. Brainstorm actions, programs, infrastructure, investments that might take us toward our

ABCD Awareness Creative Solutions Present Baseline Future Decide on Priorities Is it a step in the right direction? Is it a flexible platform? Is it a good return on investment? Copyright © 2007 The Natural Step

D. Step - Three Strategic Questions 1 Is it a step in the right

D. Step Your Challenge: You are a team of water managers that have to improve the river system. Formulate: 1. Three short-term actions that can be taken forward (low hanging fruit). 2. Three long-term measures that you recommend and why. • List stakeholders needed to realize your measures and those who are most impacted. • What needs to change to be successful? Copyright © 2007 The Natural Step