IS SP-SA

STUDY GUIDE
PREVIEW

FIRST EDITION, 2016

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The ISSP Sustainability Associate (ISSP-SA) Study Guide is a valuable tool for sustainability practi-
tioners preparing to attain the ISSP Sustainability Associate (ISSP-SA) credential. We are extremely
grateful to those who were involved in the creation of this resource.

ISSP Management
Maureen Hart, Executive Director

Study Guide Task Force

Lucinda Brown, ISSP Board Director, Research & Resource Chair, Project Manager, Lead Co-Author
Christopher Juniper, Task Force Chair, Lead Co-Author
Steve Flannery, Editor
Beverly Oviedo, Instructional Designer

The report has been created by contributions from: Madhav Acharya, Rob Andrejewski, Dorothy
Atwood, Sarah Beaubien, Steve Boss, Kathryn Cooper, Julian Crawford, Joan Darvish-Rouhani, Paola
Fiore, Neal Forsthoefel, Ian Gesch, Sue Ide, Justin Imiola, João Marcello Macedo Leme, KJ McCorry,
Jeffery Omelchuk, Steven Parker, Illene Pevec, Aurora Reinke, Oscar Rodriguez-Gonzalez, Rosalinda
Sanquiche, Kelly Simmons, Lesley Stone, Shannon Tocchini, Oxana Trotsenko, Jerry Unruh, Marsha
Willard, and Jeffrey Yorzyk.

Support for this study guide was provided by:

H K Allison Projects For Sustainability, Communication Design Team, Project Lead: Nicole Langstaff

The Dragonfly Fund

Acknowledgements i
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ISSP–SA STUDY GUIDE
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Chapter Table of Contents
Introduction............................................................................................................................1
Chapter One: Issues, Trends, Impacts and Perspectives.. ...........................................................6
Defining Sustainability and Sustainable Development......................................................... 7
Key Social Issues.......................................................................................................... 11
Key Environmental Issues.............................................................................................. 15
Key Economic Issues..................................................................................................... 24
Chapter Two: Social Justice, Impact, and Responsibility......................................................... 37
Engaging Stakeholders.................................................................................................. 38
Engaging Employees . . .................................................................................................... 40
Customers and constituents........................................................................................... 43
Engaging Suppliers....................................................................................................... 44
Engaging Communities.. ................................................................................................ 44
Engaging Future Generations......................................................................................... 45
Chapter Three: Frameworks and Principles............................................................................ 50
Sustainability Frameworks............................................................................................. 51
Sustainability Principles. . .............................................................................................. 56
Chapter Four: Systems Thinking and Interdependencies......................................................... 66
Systems Structure and Behavior.. .................................................................................... 68
Applying Systems Thinking........................................................................................... 71
Examples of Interdependencies....................................................................................... 72
Chapter Five: Benefits of Sustainability Practices................................................................... 77
Enterprise Practices and Benefits.................................................................................... 79
Social Practices and Benefits . . ........................................................................................ 83
Governance Practices and Benefits................................................................................. 85
Summary of Sustainability Benefits................................................................................. 86
Chapter Six: Historical Background and Events...................................................................... 92
The Industrial Age....................................................................................................... 93
The Birth of Environmentalism...................................................................................... 94
Toward Sustainable Development................................................................................... 97
At-a-Glance History of Sustainable Development........................................................... 100
Chapter Seven: Global Institutions, Policies and Initiatives.. ................................................. 105
Global Institutions..................................................................................................... 106
Global Policies and Initiatives..................................................................................... 113
Chapter Eight: Regulatory Trends and Policies..................................................................... 122
Mechanisms for Driving Behavior Change.. .................................................................... 123
Mechanisms for Addressing Economic Issues.................................................................. 125
Mechanisms for Addressing Environmental Issues........................................................... 127
Mechanisms for Addressing Social Issues....................................................................... 134
Chapter Nine: Standards, Protocols, and Certifications......................................................... 143
Standards and Protocols.............................................................................................. 144
Certifications & Labeling............................................................................................ 152
Scorecards. . ............................................................................................................... 161
Chapter Ten: Technology, Tools, and Innovations . . ............................................................... 167
Technologies and Innovations...................................................................................... 168
Tools and Techniques. . ................................................................................................ 177
Case Studies.............................................................................................................. 183
Glossary of Terms................................................................................................................ 190
Acronyms............................................................................................................................ 227

Table of Contents ii
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ISSP–SA STUDY GUIDE
CHAPTER ONE
Issues, Trends, Impacts and Perspectives

Chapter Table of Contents

Purpose. . ...................................................................................................................................7
Overview..................................................................................................................................7
Defining Sustainability and Sustainable Development.....................................................................7
Valuing All Forms of Capital.. .......................................................................................... 8
Weak versus Strong Sustainability.................................................................................... 8
Limits to Growth.. .......................................................................................................... 9
The I=PAT Equation.. ................................................................................................... 10
The Commons............................................................................................................. 11
Interconnectivity......................................................................................................... 11
Key Social Issues...................................................................................................................... 11
Basic Human Needs...................................................................................................... 12
Equity . . ....................................................................................................................... 13
Human rights . . ............................................................................................................. 13
Justice – Social and Environmental. . ............................................................................... 14
Key Environmental Issues.......................................................................................................... 15
Climate Change........................................................................................................... 15
Greenhouse Effect................................................................................................. 15
Atmospheric Concentrations of GHGs..................................................................... 16
Global Warming Potential and CO2 Equivalents.. ...................................................... 17
Total Emissions and Emissions Ratios....................................................................... 17
Growing Methane Contributions............................................................................. 18
Global Temperatures. . ............................................................................................ 18
Ocean Acidification.............................................................................................. 19
Rise in Sea Levels................................................................................................. 19
Decline of Natural Capital . . ........................................................................................... 20
Biodiversity, Habitat, Land Use............................................................................... 20
Toxins in the Environment..................................................................................... 21
Air Pollution........................................................................................................ 22
Atmospheric Ozone............................................................................................... 23
Water.................................................................................................................. 23
Key Economic Issues................................................................................................................. 24
Setting Economic Priorities........................................................................................... 24
Accounting for Externalities................................................................................... 25
Managing for the Long-Term. . ................................................................................. 25
Measures of Progress.............................................................................................. 26
Sustainable Economic Models........................................................................................ 27
Steady-State Economy........................................................................................... 27
Circular Economy . . ................................................................................................ 27
Sustainable Markets . . .................................................................................................... 28
Sustainable Consumption....................................................................................... 28
Lifestyles of Health and Sustainability (LOHAS). . ..................................................... 29
Additional Resources................................................................................................................ 31
Chapter One Endnotes......................................................................................................... 32

Chapter One 6
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CHAPTER TWO
Social Justice, Impact, and Responsibility

Chapter Table of Contents

Purpose. . ................................................................................................................................. 38
Overview................................................................................................................................ 38
Engaging Stakeholders.............................................................................................................. 38
Engaging Employees . . ................................................................................................................ 40
Child and Slave Labor.................................................................................................. 40
Workplace Health and Safety......................................................................................... 40
Livable Compensation.................................................................................................. 40
Employee Ownership.................................................................................................... 41
Employee Engagement and Work-Life Balance.................................................................. 42
Education and Training................................................................................................. 42
Customers and constituents....................................................................................................... 43
Customers and Constituents as Stakeholders.................................................................... 43
Inclusive Business........................................................................................................ 44
Engaging Suppliers................................................................................................................... 44
Ethical Sourcing / Fair Trade. . ........................................................................................ 44
Engaging Communities.. ............................................................................................................ 44
Community Contributions and Involvement.................................................................... 44
Environmental and Social Justice................................................................................... 45
Engaging Future Generations..................................................................................................... 45
Youth Stakeholders. . ..................................................................................................... 45
Intergenerational Responsibility..................................................................................... 46
Additional Resources................................................................................................................ 47
Chapter Two Endnotes......................................................................................................... 48

Chapter Two 37
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CHAPTER THREE
Frameworks and Principles

Chapter Table of Contents

Purpose. . ................................................................................................................................. 51
Overview................................................................................................................................ 51
Sustainability Frameworks......................................................................................................... 51
The Natural Step (TNS)............................................................................................... 51
Triple Bottom Line (TBL)............................................................................................. 54
Community Capitals Framework..................................................................................... 55
Adapting and Using Frameworks.. ................................................................................... 55
Sustainability Principles. . .......................................................................................................... 56
Foundational Principles . . ............................................................................................... 56
Rio Declaration.................................................................................................... 56
Earth Charter....................................................................................................... 57
Precautionary Principle.......................................................................................... 58
Principles of Environmental Law............................................................................. 58
Principles of Natural Systems.................................................................................. 59
Principles for Organizations........................................................................................... 59
UN Global Compact.............................................................................................. 59
UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights............................................... 60
Ceres Principles.................................................................................................... 60
Equator Principles................................................................................................. 61
Melbourne Principles for Sustainable Cities.............................................................. 61
Principles for Production............................................................................................... 61
Industrial Ecology................................................................................................. 61
Hannover Principles.............................................................................................. 62
Additional Resources................................................................................................................ 63
Chapter Three Endnotes...................................................................................................... 64

Chapter Three 50
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CHAPTER FOUR
Systems Thinking and Interdependencies

Chapter Table of Contents

Purpose. . ................................................................................................................................. 67
Overview................................................................................................................................ 67
Systems Structure and Behavior.. ................................................................................................ 68
Stocks and Flows.......................................................................................................... 69
Dynamic Equilibrium and Complexity............................................................................. 69
Feedback Loops............................................................................................................ 69
Constraints................................................................................................................. 70
Resilience, Self-Organization, and Hierarchy.. .................................................................. 70
System Archetypes....................................................................................................... 70
Applying Systems Thinking....................................................................................................... 71
Mindsets and Mental Models.. ........................................................................................ 71
Leverage Points. . .......................................................................................................... 72
Examples of Interdependencies................................................................................................... 72
Human Behavior, Energy, and Climate Change................................................................. 72
Food, Water, and Energy Nexus...................................................................................... 73
Sustainable Agriculture and Reducing Hunger.................................................................. 74
Additional Resources................................................................................................................ 75
Chapter Four Endnotes.. ....................................................................................................... 76

Chapter Four 66
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CHAPTER FIVE
Benefits of Sustainability Practices

Chapter Table of Contents

Purpose. . ................................................................................................................................. 78
Overview................................................................................................................................ 78
Enterprise Practices and Benefits................................................................................................ 79
More Sustainable Products/Services................................................................................ 79
Products as Services. . .................................................................................................... 80
Zero Waste.................................................................................................................. 81
Carbon Neutral............................................................................................................ 82
Water Neutrality.......................................................................................................... 83
Social Practices and Benefits . . .................................................................................................... 83
Work Environment....................................................................................................... 83
Charitable Contributions.............................................................................................. 84
Community Involvement. . ............................................................................................. 84
Supplier and Value Chain Relations................................................................................ 85
Governance Practices and Benefits............................................................................................. 85
Transparency............................................................................................................... 85
Summary of Sustainability Benefits............................................................................................. 86
Reduced Expenses........................................................................................................ 87
Increased Employee Productivity.................................................................................... 87
Reduced Hiring and Attrition Expenses........................................................................... 87
Reduced Risks. . ............................................................................................................ 87
Increased Profitability and Capital Attraction.................................................................. 88
Additional Resources................................................................................................................ 89
Chapter Five Endnotes......................................................................................................... 90

Chapter Five 77
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CHAPTER SIX
Historical Background and Events

Chapter Table of Contents

Purpose. . ................................................................................................................................. 93
Overview................................................................................................................................ 93
The Industrial Age................................................................................................................... 93
Innovations of Industry................................................................................................. 93
Labor Rights................................................................................................................ 94
The Birth of Environmentalism.................................................................................................. 94
Civil Society............................................................................................................... 94
Environmental Health.................................................................................................. 95
The Atomic Age.......................................................................................................... 96
A Call to Action. . ........................................................................................................ 96
Toward Sustainable Development............................................................................................... 97
Uniting Nations. . ......................................................................................................... 97
Defining Sustainable Development................................................................................. 97
An Underlying Structure............................................................................................... 97
Effective International Collaboration. . ............................................................................ 98
Continuous Improvement.............................................................................................. 98
At-a-Glance History of Sustainable Development ...................................................................... 100
Additional Resources.............................................................................................................. 102
Chapter Six Endnotes........................................................................................................ 103

Chapter Six 92
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CHAPTER SEVEN
Global Institutions, Policies and Initiatives

Chapter Table of Contents

Purpose. . ............................................................................................................................... 106
Overview.............................................................................................................................. 106
Global Institutions................................................................................................................. 106
UN Institutions......................................................................................................... 106
UN Environmental Programme (UNEP)................................................................. 107
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)............................................... 107
UN Development Programme (UNDP)................................................................... 108
World Health Organization (WHO)....................................................................... 108
International Court of Justice............................................................................... 108
Multilateral Institutions.............................................................................................. 108
Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).......................... 108
World Bank........................................................................................................ 109
World Trade Organization (WTO)......................................................................... 109
Nongovernmental Organizations and Think-Tanks.......................................................... 109
Business for Social Responsibility (BSR) . . ............................................................... 109
Global Footprint Network.................................................................................... 110
Greenpeace........................................................................................................ 110
ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability. . ....................................................... 110
Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD).. ........................................................ 111
International Society of Sustainability Professionals (ISSP)...................................... 111
International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). . ........................................ 111
Ocean Conservancy............................................................................................. 112
World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD)............................... 112
World Green Building Council.............................................................................. 112
World Resources Institute (WRI).. ......................................................................... 112
Worldwatch Institute........................................................................................... 112
Global Policies and Initiatives................................................................................................. 113
Earth Summit in Rio 1992........................................................................................... 113
Rio Declaration on Environment and Development. . ................................................ 113
Agenda 21. . ........................................................................................................ 114
UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). . ................................... 114
Statement of Forest Principles. . ............................................................................. 115
UN Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD)....................................................... 115
Kyoto Protocol. . ......................................................................................................... 115
Development Goals.................................................................................................... 116
Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).. .............................................................. 116
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)................................................................. 116
Vienna Convention & Montreal Protocol...................................................................... 118
Additional Resources.............................................................................................................. 119
Chapter Seven Endnotes.................................................................................................... 120

Chapter Seven 105

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CHAPTER EIGHT
Regulatory Trends and Policies

Chapter Table of Contents

Purpose. . ............................................................................................................................... 123
Overview.............................................................................................................................. 123
Mechanisms for Driving Behavior Change.. ................................................................................ 123
Financial Incentives and Taxation................................................................................ 123
Policies for Fostering Sustainable Consumption.............................................................. 124
Ensuring Accountability. . ............................................................................................ 125
Mechanisms for Addressing Economic Issues.............................................................................. 125
Multilateral Agreements . . ............................................................................................ 125
Regulations Encouraging Sustainable Business................................................................ 126
Mechanisms for Addressing Environmental Issues....................................................................... 127
Creating Markets....................................................................................................... 127
Using Taxes & Incentives............................................................................................ 127
Controlling Hazardous Substances................................................................................ 128
Making Producers Responsible .. ................................................................................... 129
Managing Waste . . ....................................................................................................... 131
Avoiding Resource Depletion....................................................................................... 131
Protecting Species...................................................................................................... 132
Restricting Land-Use.................................................................................................. 134
Mechanisms for Addressing Social Issues................................................................................... 134
Protecting Indigenous Rights....................................................................................... 134
Ending Slavery, Forced, and Child Labor....................................................................... 135
Defunding Conflicts................................................................................................... 136
Requiring Transparency. . ............................................................................................. 136
Additional Resources.............................................................................................................. 137
Chapter Eight Endnotes..................................................................................................... 139

Chapter Eight 122

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CHAPTER NINE
Standards, Protocols, and Certifications

Chapter Table of Contents

Purpose. . ............................................................................................................................... 144
Overview.............................................................................................................................. 144
Standards and Protocols.......................................................................................................... 144
Standards. . ..................................................................................................................... 144
International Organization for Standardization (ISO)................................................... 144
ISEAL Alliance....................................................................................................... 145
Global Initiative for Sustainability Reporting (GISR)................................................... 146
Social Accountability 8000 (SA 8000) . . ...................................................................... 147
Reporting Protocols. . ....................................................................................................... 147
GHG Protocol – Inventorying and Reporting............................................................... 148
Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP). . ............................................................................. 149
Voluntary Carbon Standard (VCS)............................................................................. 150
GRI Reporting Framework.. ....................................................................................... 150
Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB).. .................................................... 151
International Integrated Reporting Council (IIRC)...................................................... 151
Certifications & Labeling........................................................................................................ 152
Environmental Product Declaration . . .......................................................................... 152
Enterprises..................................................................................................................... 152
B Corporation......................................................................................................... 152
Green Globe........................................................................................................... 152
Supply Chain................................................................................................................. 153
Fairtrade International (FLO). . .................................................................................. 153
Forest Stewardship Council (FSC).. ............................................................................ 153
Rainforest Alliance.................................................................................................. 154
Marine Stewardship Council (MSC)........................................................................... 154
Organic Certifications.............................................................................................. 154
Energy and Carbon.......................................................................................................... 155
ENERGY STAR . . .................................................................................................... 155
European ENERGY STAR......................................................................................... 156
Compliance Carbon Credits...................................................................................... 156
Voluntary Carbon Credits......................................................................................... 156
Green-e.................................................................................................................. 156
Manufactured Products.................................................................................................... 157
Cradle to Cradle Certified. . ....................................................................................... 157
EPEAT................................................................................................................... 157
Design for the Environment...................................................................................... 157
Green Seal. . ............................................................................................................ 158
Built Environment.......................................................................................................... 158
Green Buildings. . ..................................................................................................... 158
Sustainable Infrastructure......................................................................................... 161
Scorecards. . ........................................................................................................................... 161
Investments.. .................................................................................................................. 161
Socially Responsible Investing (SRI).......................................................................... 161
Dow Jones Sustainability Index. . ................................................................................ 162
FTSE4Good............................................................................................................ 162
Consumer Goods. . ........................................................................................................... 162
GoodGuide............................................................................................................. 162
Additional Resources.............................................................................................................. 163
Chapter Nine Endnotes........................................................................................................... 164

Chapter Nine 143

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CHAPTER TEN
Technology, Tools, and Innovations

Chapter Table of Contents

Purpose. . ............................................................................................................................... 168
Overview.............................................................................................................................. 168
Technologies and Innovations.................................................................................................. 168
Energy and Carbon..................................................................................................... 168
Energy Efficiency................................................................................................ 168
Renewable Energy............................................................................................... 169
Carbon Capture and Sequestration.. ....................................................................... 170
Water....................................................................................................................... 170
Desalination....................................................................................................... 170
Water Efficiency................................................................................................. 171
Materials and Waste................................................................................................... 172
Reduced Toxicity................................................................................................ 172
Reuse................................................................................................................ 173
Recycling........................................................................................................... 173
Waste to Energy Systems...................................................................................... 174
Product Design.......................................................................................................... 174
Nanomaterials.................................................................................................... 174
Dematerialization and Transmaterialization. . ........................................................... 174
Lean Manufacturing . . ........................................................................................... 175
Biomimicry.. ....................................................................................................... 175
Land and Ecosystem Management................................................................................. 176
Permaculture...................................................................................................... 176
Biodynamic Agriculture....................................................................................... 177
Bioremediation................................................................................................... 177
Tools and Techniques. . ............................................................................................................ 177
Implementation Systems.. ............................................................................................ 177
ISO 14001. . ........................................................................................................ 177
ABCD Planning Method...................................................................................... 178
VISIS................................................................................................................ 179
Balanced Scorecard............................................................................................. 180
Assessments & Measurement . . ...................................................................................... 180
Indicators . . ........................................................................................................ 180
Millennium Ecosystem Assessment.. ....................................................................... 181
Future Fit Business Benchmark (F2B2)................................................................... 181
S-CORE.. ........................................................................................................... 181
Life-Cycle Assessment (LCA)............................................................................... 182
Life-Cycle Costing (LCC).................................................................................... 182
Return-on-investment. . ........................................................................................ 183
Case Studies ......................................................................................................................... 183
Additional Resources.............................................................................................................. 185
Chapter Ten Endnotes.. ...................................................................................................... 186

Chapter Ten 167

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