This dialogue was held on February 28th and March 1st of 2002 and focused on considering the range of principles, strategies, and tools that exist for assessing materials, products and services in terms of sustainability factors.

The specific objectives of the dialogue were to begin the process of:

• Developing a systems-based overview of the challenges to integrating environmental and social issues into material, product, and supply chain decision-making processes
  
• Creating a shared analytical map of how current tools and approaches interrelate
  
• Identifying gaps in the existing set of tools and approaches, from a systems perspective
• Exploring the possibility, and utility, of developing a common meta-level approach to assessing the sustainability of materials and products
• Developing an action plan and identify next steps

The event was structured as a small, focused workshop to allow for in-depth discussions. Participants included a cross-section of businesses, non-profit organizations and academic institutions, representing a range of sustainability sub-fields, from sustainable forestry through green energy and clean transportation.

View Proceedings

SELECT PRESENTATIONS (click on presenter's name):

• Sissel Waage, The Natural Step
• George Basile, The Natural Step
• Tim Brown, IDEO (www.ideo.com)
• Michael S. Brown, Michael S. Brown and Associates
• Scott Butner, Battelle Seattle Research Center (www.seattle.battelle.org)
• Hank Cauley, Forest Stewardship Council (www.fscoax.org)
• Richard Denison, The Alliance for Environmental Innovation (www.environmentaldefense.org/alliance)
• Edgar Hertwich, International Institute for Applied Systems (www.iiasa.ac.at)
• Jill Kauffman Johnson, Chemical Strategies Partnership (www.chemicalstrategies.org)
• Dan Lieberman, Center for Resource Solutions (www.resource-solutions.org)
• Alexandra McPherson, Clean Production Network
• Karl Rabago, Rocky Mountain Institute (www.rmi.org)
• Larry Strain, Siegel & Strain Architects (http://users.lmi.net/~s8092/)

Prior to the event, dialogue participants were asked to respond to common core questions about sustainability, materials, products and services. (View selection of pre-event responses.) The Natural Step's R & D Program also developed a pre-event paper. (View pre-event paper and appendices.)

For more information about related issues, please download our Sustainability, Materials, Products and Services Resource Guide. Additional information will be posted in the coming months.