By all measures, 2010 was a busy year for The Natural Step Canada—one of significant change and development. We re-organized our work into five clear audience-focused program areas, hired seven new people, reached 10,000 people through outreach and education initiatives, and worked closely with over 1,000 students, leaders, and change agents in 25 businesses, municipalities, and institutions across Canada.

(Read about our exciting plans for 2011 in our January newsletter.)

Without a doubt, 2010 was a year to remember. It began with the earthquake in Haiti, an event that has left millions homeless; included an immense oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico; and was bracketed on the far end by Wikileaks. We saw massive flooding in Australia; Canada’s most expensive hailstorm in Calgary; and here in British Columbia, spring weather for the Winter Olympics. These are all representative of the sustainability challenge.

In 2010, The Natural Step Canada held 8 sessions of our Sustainability for Leaders Course – Level 1: Foundations in cities across Canada, from Halifax to Vancouver. The two-day public sessions drew over 150 participants who each took part in two days of interactive and dynamic learning. 

Together, they explored the scientific basis of The Natural Step Framework for Strategic Sustainable Development and reviewed case studies of how leading companies like The Co-operators and municipalities like the District of North Vancouver have applied The Natural Step Framework to accelerate transformational change toward sustainability. 

Are you the next sustainability leader?

"The question of reaching sustainability is not about if we will have enough energy, enough food, or other tangible resources - those we have. The question is: will there be enough leaders in time?"

Blekinge Institute of Technology (BTH) has experienced great success with the Master's in Strategic Leadership toward Sustainability (MSLS) programme since 2005. With 300+ alumni working all over the globe, the impact of this programme's attendees has been truly humbling.

Building off this success and the strong research happening at the school, in 2010 they launched the Master's in Sustainable Product-Service System Innovation (MSPI) programme. The MSPI programme is already enjoying its first year of exciting activities, and is looking forward to welcoming its second cohort of participants.