The need for Real Change
Real Change is based around a very simple idea – we have extremely serious, systematic global problems that threaten to destroy life as we know it. Researchers are studying these problems and documenting their progress, better understanding the mechanisms by which they operate and are proposing solutions. The reality is that scientists came to consensus around the root causes of un-sustainability many years ago – the conditions for the survival of the Earth are known as the system conditions of Framework for Strategic Sustainable Development (FSSD is also known as The Natural Step Framework). With this consensus, we should be able to solve the problems that we see around us, but instead, every single living eco-system is in systematic decline and we continue to undermine the ability of people to meet their basic needs. Armed with the FSSD, researchers and members of BTH, Lund University and The Natural Step determined to use this research to support governments in policy decisions and accelerate sustainability-driven innovation. The purpose of the Real Change program is to continue developing theory, methodology and the practice of strategic sustainable development through interdisciplinary and inter-sectoral cooperation between scientists and business- and public sector leaders. The goal is real systemic change throughout society.
How is this project innovative?
We already know that sustainability is not achievable by one person, community, university or business. Sustainability will require unprecedented collaboration between unlikely partners and at uncomfortable closeness. This is impossible with our current mind-sets and tools. Universities, communities and businesses are not natural partners – the Real Change program is reaching across sectors to unite these groups towards a shared goal: sustainability. This required a new way of communicating – hence the use of a structured approach to sustainability through the Framework for Strategic Sustainable Development (FSSD).
What does the FSSD add?
One of the main challenges in the sustainability field is that we have different definitions of what sustainability means, what we need to do to get there and what tools are available and which ones we still need. The FSSD brings a structure to this conversation by 1) forcing researchers and practitioners to speak the same language (using the system conditions as a guide for their vision of sustainability) and 2) it allows these same players to structure their own thinking using the 5 levels that clearly describe various levels of structure which include:
- Defining the system
- Defining success in the system
- Determining strategies required
- Defining potential actions
- Identifying the required tools
What is the Real Change Program?
Real Change is about researching the science of sustainability using a structured approach and then directly applying that learning to business, government and non-profit operations using the same structure. This common structure allows these diverse sectors to communicate effectively. The application of this research leads to testing which in turn leads to refinement of the research and ideas leading to an efficient loop that improves both the research and practice of sustainability. This programme operates with a ‘core’ in Sweden which is constantly refining the FSSD and several ‘petals’ that represent the areas of thematic research and application around the world. The core (i.e. the FSSD) further serves the function of connecting the different research areas, making it easier for specialists to talk to each other and for decision-makers to make sense of complexity.
What makes this change real?
There are no lack of conferences and conversations on sustainability around the world – what some call talk-clubs. Real Change is not a talk club. Real Change is committed to action. We must and we are advancing the practice of sustainability by ensuring that research is more strategically aligned with real world sustainability problems. Not all universities, businesses, governments nor NGOs are ready for an approach this demanding. We work with partners who are able to commit to using this method to structure their thinking, research and operations. This is definitely a challenge, but we are working toward real change!
Are you ready for real change?
We ask three leading questions to ascertain how ready our partners are to engage our approach:
- What is your definition of sustainability?
- What do you perceive to be the gap between where you are now and sustainability?
- What are you doing to bridge that gap?
By answering these questions, we learn a lot about organizations and can better work with them in identifying and closing their gaps towards sustainability. Are you interested in getting involved? Contact us at info@realchange.nu and sign up for Real Change updates.