What is a common goal shared by frameworks like The Natural Step?

Frameworks like The Natural Step are designed to offer organizations a coherent approach to sustainability, focusing on a long-term vision of ecological integrity and social equity. The primary goal of such frameworks is to ensure environmental sustainability, which entails not only the conservation of natural resources and ecosystems but also the integration of these considerations into business practices and community development.

The Natural Step outlines principles that help businesses recognize the interdependencies between environmental health, economic viability, and social well-being. By adhering to these principles, organizations are encouraged to reduce their ecological footprints and contribute positively to the communities they operate within, facilitating a more sustainable future.

Other options do not align with the fundamental objectives of The Natural Step. For instance, increasing consumerism can often lead to unsustainable practices and resource depletion, promoting competition among businesses does not inherently lead to sustainability goals, and standardizing global design practices, while beneficial in some contexts, does not specifically address environmental sustainability as a core aim. Thus, focusing on ensuring environmental sustainability encapsulates the essence of what frameworks like The Natural Step strive to achieve.