When I first got involved in sustainability, I dove into strategy. Like a soccer coach crafting the perfect offensive play, I obsessed over plans and actions – recycling programs, carbon audits, innovation labs. We had the strategy (game plan), the actions (passes, tackles), and the tools (balls, goals, corner flags). But something was missing. We were playing – but didn’t know the field we were on or the rules we needed to win.
That’s when I discovered the FSSD – the Framework for Strategic Sustainable Development (aka The Natural Step Framework). It changed everything.
Here’s how I now see sustainability through soccer:
- The System Level
This is our playing field. The boundaries. The weather. The fans. The governing body. In organizational terms, it’s your stakeholders, legislation, culture, risks, and opportunities. If you skip this, you’re playing blindfolded. Think Nike – when they began mapping their entire supply chain, they were finally seeing the field.
- The Success Level
Winning the game. In soccer, it’s outscoring your opponent. In sustainability, it’s a thriving future – defined by shared principles and visions. Not just glossy posters or goals few relate to, but something everyone – from your frontline team to your board – sees themselves in. That’s the goal that matters.
- The Strategy Level
This is your playbook. Are we defensive? Offensive? Agile? In FSSD, this means aligning your moves with sustainability principles and your long-term vision. It’s about playing to win – not just surviving the season.
- The Actions Level
Every pass, sprint, block – each matters. These are your projects, campaigns, policies. But without the right system or strategy, even the best actions become chaotic.
- The Tools Level
Stats, apps, jerseys, sports tech. These are your measurement tools, certifications, checklists. Useful – but meaningless without the context of the other levels.
What I’ve seen is that most organizations focus only on Levels 3–5. They start with action and toolkits, missing the power of a deep systems perspective and a unifying vision of success. And when they do that, sustainability stays on the sidelines – never becoming part of the team’s identity or culture.
The FSSD framework helps you design anything sustainably – be it a new product, a city district, a corporate strategy, or even a barangay initiative. It gives you a complete map to navigate complexity, align your team, and build a culture that plays to win.
Ready to stop playing defense and build your sustainability team from the ground up?Let’s play the long game.
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