
eLearning Course Features
Our courses are designed to help learners access and understand sustainability concepts and apply them to day-to-day business, community and personal decision-making. Each course includes:
- A structured overview of key sustainability concepts including systems thinking and backcasting; scientific and sustainability principles; and a step-by-step process for strategic planning and decision-making in complex systems (business, government etc).
- Real-life case studies and interactive activities that present current social, ecological and economic issues and help learners apply theoretical knowledge to practical business and community situations.
- An extensive resource section including relevant information on the state of the world, the science of sustainability and the TNS framework along with lessons from leaders, tools and more than eighty business and community case studies from around the world.
- A final exam and personalized certificate that recognizes the learner’s accomplishment.
Click on the course titles below for more information.
Sustainability 101
Sustainability 101™ is a condensed version of Sustainability: Step by Natural Step™ and takes approximately sixty-to-eighty five minutes to complete (depending on the learner’s pace).
Participants who successfully complete the course will be able to meet the following learning objectives:
- Outline the evidence for our current sustainability crisis, and describe this using a powerful metaphor.
- Describe the process of backcasting, justify the key role of systems thinking, and outline the basic scientific principles that underlie the concept of sustainability.
- Define the four basic principles for sustainability and use them to analyze actions from a sustainability perspective.
- Outline an “ABCD” process for strategic planning and decision-making toward sustainability.
- Show how various tools and approaches for sustainable development relate to one another.
Sustainability 101™ has the following sections and activities:
Sustainability 101TM Sections | Content and Activity Overview |
1. Welcome 2. Setting the Scene This section takes approximately 25 min. a. Who’s playing the game b. The shape of things to come c. Scenario: You decide |
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3. Backcasting from Sustainability Principles This section takes approximately 45 min. a. Backcasting systems and cycles b. Breaking the cycles c. The four sustainability principles d. The ABCD process e. Step “D” – in practice f. How sustainability tools and approaches relate 4. The final word |
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5. The exam and personalized course certificate |
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Step by Natural Step
Sustainability: Step by Natural Step™ takes approximately three to four hours to complete (depending on the learner’s pace). Participants who successfully complete the course will be able to meet the following learning objectives:
- Outline the evidence for our current sustainability crisis, and describe this using a powerful metaphor.
- Show, using examples, the strategic benefits enjoyed by organizations and communities who are proactive about sustainability.
- Describe the process of backcasting, justify the key role of systems thinking, and outline the basic scientific principles that underlie the Natural Step Framework.
- Define the four basic principles for sustainability (the four “System Conditions”), describe the mechanisms that led to their definition, and use them to analyze actions from a sustainability perspective.
- Outline an “ABCD” process for strategic planning and decision-making toward sustainability.
- Show how various tools and approaches for sustainable development relate to one another.
Sustainability: Step by Natural Step™ has the following sections and activities:
Sustainability Step by Step by Natural StepTM Sections | Content and Activity Overview |
1. Welcome 2. Setting the Scene This section takes approximately 40 min. a. Who’s playing the game? b. The shape of things to come c. The sustainability advantage d. Scenario: You decide |
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3. The Natural Step Framework This section takes approximately 80 min. a. Backcasting b. Systems thinking c. Yikes! Basic science d. The 4 system conditions e. The ABCD process f. “A” – Awareness g. “B” & “C” – Baseline Analysis and Compelling Vision h. “D” – Down to Action |
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4. Now Do It This section takes approximately 40 min. not including the team exercise. a. Scenario – You decide, again! b. Scenario – Team exercise c. How TNS fits in with other tools and concepts d. The final word |
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5. The exam and personalized course certificate |
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Course Comparison
Features | Sustainability - Step by Natural StepTM | Sustainability 101TM |
Overview | A comprehensive course on sustainability divided into three distinct modules and an extensive resource section | A condensed introduction to sustainability and The Natural Step Framework divided into two sections and accompanied by an extensive resource section |
Length | 3-4 hours | 60-80 minutes |
Focus | In-depth learning on sustainability and The Natural Step framework | Introduction to sustainability |
Cost (for one individual license) | $98 Cdn + tax | $98 Cdn + tax |
Bulk pricing available | Yes | Yes |
Customisation available | Yes | Yes |
Languages available | English | English, French, Swedish |
Structure | Module 1: Setting the Scene Module 2: The Natural Step Framework Module 3: Do It Now |
Setting the Scene Backcasting from Sustainability Principles |
Contains resource section | Yes | Yes |
Diploma awarded | Yes | Yes |
Length of access | 12 months | 12 months |
Available for blended learning | Yes (more on blended learning) | Yes (more on blended learning) |
Course Administration
As a learning tool, our courses:
- Can be hosted on any Learning Management System or delivered through our online server. This allows for hassle-free delivery as there are no IT components for learners to install or manage.
- Allows for self-paced learning as users can exit the course anytime and return to the same starting point.
- Includes a management interface that allows administrators to track learners’ progress and completion.
- Provides ongoing access to the course and resource materials for renewable 12-month periods. A navigation bar allows users to review specific sections and resources without having to revisit the entire course.
- Can be customized to incorporate a client’s branding, business activities and needs.
- Rahumathulla Marikkar, Director of Technology and the Environment, Interface Flooring Systems (Canada) |
- Kathy Jenkins, Whistler Blackcomb Mountains Resort Inc., Environmental Coordinator |