Sustainability Approach
A Solid Sustainability Approach
It’s tempting to blame slow progress on politics, broken systems, or misplaced incentives. And yes, those exist. But they largely lie outside our sphere of influence. The real barriers are closer to home: reductionist thinking, fear of change, outdated leadership habits, and cumbersome processes. These are the obstacles within our own organizations – and these we can change.
We know what a sustainable future looks like. The science is clear. The tools exist. But the hardest work is changing how we think, lead, and collaborate. That is the elephant in the room.
We work with a wide range sustainability frameworks, methods and tools that we have applied in practice over the years – and that prove their worth time and again.
The Framework for Strategic Sustainable Development (FSSD)
The Framework for Strategic Sustainable Development (FSSD, also known as The Natural Step Framework) is a groundbreaking approach to sustainable development, originating in 1989 at Lund Technical University (Sweden). Its founder is Professor Karl-Henrik Robèrt, who developed the framework as a scientifically grounded compass for organizations.
The FSSD has gained international recognition and won several prestigious awards, including the Blue Planet Prize – often regarded as the ‘Nobel Prize for Sustainability’. This recognition underscores the framework’s impact in the field of global sustainability.
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FutureFit Collab is proud to be a member of Professor Robèrt’s new organization Stepwise, which aims to take the next step in spreading and applying this methodology. Our participation enables us to guide organizations using the most advanced and proven framework and tools for strategic sustainable transition.
What is Innovative Thinking Systems (ITS®)?
In a world demanding sustainable solutions, organizations are looking for an approach that truly makes a difference. Innovative Thinking Systems (ITS) offers a practical way to embed sustainability into your innovation processes – both technically and socially. It helps you move from green ambitions to concrete results.
ITS looks beyond just technical innovation. The framework connects ecological solutions with social impact. Think of energy-efficient processes that also strengthen the community, or circular products that create new jobs. Through four clear steps – Explore, Design, Test, and Embed – you work on solutions that are both technically smart and socially relevant.
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This system helps you tackle bottlenecks in sustainability projects effectively. Whether it’s technical challenges or social acceptance, ITS provides practical tools to move forward. The approach has been proven over the past 15 years in hundreds of organizations – from circular businesses to social enterprises. It’s not a theoretical model, but a practical path to real change.
What is the Sustainability Embedding Framework?
The Sustainability Embedding Framework is a practical approach that helps organizations truly bring sustainability to life. It began in 2015 at a Canadian university, where a team of researchers and field experts recognized that sustainability strategies often remain stuck in lofty language without genuine integration into daily operations and decision-making.
The tools and methodologies are based on thorough research but have been continuously refined and tested in real-world settings over recent years through collaboration with businesses. The result is an approach that is both robust and applicable, helping organizations transform sustainability from a side note into a core value that permeates everything they do.
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The framework offers a flexible structure with practical modules, enabling organizations to tangibly embed sustainability into their daily work. Whether you’re a municipality, a multinational, or an SME, the Embedding Framework helps you move from fine words to concrete actions.
LIFO Life Orientations
The LIFO approach for sustainability teams:
At its core, LIFO focuses on the strengths of your sustainability team. We look at what is already working well and how we can leverage it even more. The beauty is: you don’t have to change who you are – instead, you learn how to use your natural qualities to their fullest potential for sustainability.
Why this works for sustainability management:
Sustainability requires different kinds of talent – from the visionary to the practical doer. LIFO teaches you to appreciate each other’s strengths and collaborate more effectively. This reduces friction and brings out the best in your team, making sustainability projects run more smoothly.
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Our international approach:
Working with the global LIFO network, we help sustainability teams in different countries reach their full potential. Together, we ensure that sustainability management not only becomes more effective but also generates more energy and engagement.
Inner Development Goals (IDG)
Personal leadership development
The Inner Development Goals (IDG) focus on the personal skills required for sustainable change. The framework encompasses five core areas: being, thinking, relating, collaborating, and acting – essential for everyone working in sustainability.
Perfect complement to LIFO
The Inner Development Goals and LIFO complement each other perfectly. The Inner Development Goals provide the developmental direction, while LIFO offers practical tools to achieve this growth. Together, they help teams apply their natural strengths more effectively.
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Ideal for sustainability teams
This combination is particularly valuable for sustainability teams. IDG identifies the necessary skills, while LIFO optimizes collaboration. This allows teams to perform better and with greater energy.
We apply this approach internationally, enabling sustainability teams to grow both personally and professionally.