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Our first
priority is to follow up the book, The Natural Advantage
of Nations, with a solid companion guide and training
program, where:
- The companion guide will
be available for readers who need assistance in
working through the publication; and
- The training program will provide teachable material
that covers the key concepts of the book in a classroom
format.
The Program
focuses on competency development and capacity building
through providing a structured system to work through
the key concepts, case studies and core material related
to Sustainable Development.
Session
1
Topic
A - Progress, Competitiveness & Sustainability
Topic
B - Risks of Inaction in Sustainable
Development
The
theme of the first session is that society's practices
are generally not ecologically sustainable, but changing
this trend can be both profitable and sustainable
in the longer term. It is imperative that we turn
current trends around, to achieve ‘genuine sustainable
progress' and to embrace emerging sustainable solutions,
methodologies and technologies. There are a number
of significant barriers to this ‘turn-around' along
with a range of exiting and innovative solutions,
which we will discuss and work through over the week.
It will be noted that there are some barriers that
may not be immediately apparent, such as the mental
models and assumptions of some decision makers. Often
our own prejudices can prevent us from seeing new
ways forward. Having the clarity of mind to ask the
right questions at the right time of processes is
critical to success.
Reference:
NAON Section 1 (Chapters
1, 2, 3)
Session
2
Topic
C - A Dynamic ‘Platform for Change'
Topic
D - Sustainable Business Practice
It
is accepted that nations and businesses can do much
already to move forward in the sustainability journey,
with no change to existing government subsidies and
incentives. However progress would be significantly
faster if government incentives and framework conditions
were also adjusted. This would accelerate the uptake
of sustainable technologies, best available technologies
and whole system design. Many governments have acknowledged
that these issues are critical and are examining their
incentives and frameworks, but there are still a number
who believe that this should all be left to ‘the market'.
This sessions program will show how, over the last
30 years in economics, a far more sophisticated understanding
of markets and market failure has evolved that can
be used by governments to determine when it may be
appropriate to act, and how. These developments in
economics are theoretical but they are critical to
understand, to precede any government discussion about
roles in assisting industry be more sustainable. A
second objective of this session is to discuss the
importance of ensuring that all relevant stakeholders
are engaged and that government programs are grounded
in an understanding of the needs of the sector in
question. This will be critical in facilitating genuine
progress towards a sustainable industrial sector.
Reference:
NAON Section 1 (Chapter 4),
Section 2 (all chapters)
Session
3
Topic
E - Towards a Deeper Understanding
of the Role of Market & State
Topic
F - Institutions & Sustainability
Government,
at all levels, has a wide range of mechanisms to assist
the transition to an ecologically sustainable economy.
It is vital that those in government are aware of
the full range of mechanisms, as often a range of
government instruments are needed to ensure real outcomes
are achieved. For instance many governments currently
run energy/eco- efficiency programs. But without a
framework these individual initiatives will be insufficient
to achieve sustainability due to issues such as rebound
effects. To avoid rebound effects other government
mechanisms such as ‘feebates', environmental levies,
and education are needed. Session 3 will include a
discussion of more advanced issues related to the
critical role of government in achieving sustainability.
Reference:
NAON Section 3 (Chapters
11 and 12)
Session
4
Topic
G - Achieving Sustainable Cities & Industries
Topic
H - Innovation Examples – Energy Waste and Water
As
technological inertia gives long lead times for a
better technology to replace a lesser one, sustainability
principles need to be at the heart of decision making
and planning; especially for major infrastructure
projects that will often have a design life of over
100 years. In the urban context, cities are home to
more people than ever before and the existing and
potential future negative environmental impacts are
significant. It is imperative that we utilise advances
in technology to our advantage, to reduce the impacts
of a growing population and to provide ‘regenerative
solutions' wherever possible. Rather than just delaying
the inevitable significant impacts, we must look to
providing infrastructure and services that add value
to our natural and social assets. It is also important
to realise and promote the fact that this transition
can be done profitably. In this session we will look
at a number of concepts and technologies that form
part of the ‘sustainability revolution'.
Reference:
NAON Section 4 (all chapters)
Session
5
Topic
I - Strategies for Change
Topic
J - Where to From Here?
Over
the previous sessions we have discussed a number of
tools and concepts within the field of sustainability,
to give us a platform from which to engage with each
other, and with Industry. It is also imperative to
understand how ‘change' takes place within groups
and organizations, to make the most of opportunities
presented and to avoid ‘banging heads against brick
walls'. The final session is an opportunity for participants
using the knowledge that they have obtained during
the week, to consider how they might improve their
‘change agent' skills. We will look at a number of
inspiring case studies where organisations and communities
have made significant steps in their sustainability
journey and we will discuss how this was achieved.
Reference:
NAON Section 5 (all chapters)
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