Journal of Cleaner Production 13 (2005) 1197e1202

[Link]/locate/jclepro

Note from the field

Systemic thinking in environmental management: support

for sustainable development
Mari Elizabete B. Seifferta,*, Carlos Lochb
a
Institute of Research and Development, Universidade do Vale do Paraı´ba, São José dos Campos, São Paulo, Brazil
b
Department of Civil Engineering, Universidade de Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil
Received 4 February 2004; accepted 13 July 2004

Abstract

Our society has been undergoing a transition process from a mechanicist to a systemic or ecological paradigm. Within the
environmental context, this transition represents an issue of survival for man and for the biosphere itself, which is being constantly
assaulted by man’s productive activities and as a result of this has been suffering great physical changes.
The currently adopted development model is highly consumerist and predatory. A systemic vision of the world and its
application in the process of environmental management is essential to transcend our present day development model and to reach
a fair and ecologically correct social model or, in other words, sustainable development (SD).
Ó 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Keywords: SD; Environmental management; Systemic thinking

1. Introduction their sustainability and elasticity, as well as the base of

natural resources. This awareness also emphasizes the
The remarkable expansion of technical and pro- need to understand the holistic nature of life, including
ductive capabilities and the world’s sharp demographic biological, social and political life [4]. Thus, systemic
growth have highlighted, especially during the second reasoning arises. It is a way of considering interrelations
half of the 20th century, that natural resources and the rather than things, establishing patterns of change that
services derived from them are not unlimited and that represent a set of general principles, refined over the
their scarcity or exhaustion constitutes a serious threat course of 20 years, including fields of knowledge as
to humanity’s present and future well being [3]. This led diverse as physical and social sciences, engineering and
to the creation of a new development model, namely, management.
SD. Systemic reasoning also comprises a set of specific
The awareness of ecological principles leads to techniques and tools, whose origins are twofold: the
recognizing that all human activity has a related feedback concepts of cybernetics and of the 19th century
ecological cost, which means that any intervention in ‘‘servomechanism’’ engineering theory. During the last
systems and natural processes should take into account 30 years, these tools have been applied to the un-
derstanding of a great variety of managerial, urban,
regional, economic, political, ecological and even
* Corresponding author. Tel.: C550 12 3947 1126; fax: C550 12 3947
1122.
physiological systems [17].
E-mail addresses: mariebs@[Link] (M.E.B. Seiffert), ecv1clo@ However, work is scarce on the systemic paradigm as
[Link] (C. Loch). an indispensable element of the theoretical integration

0959-6526/$ - see front matter Ó 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
doi:10.1016/[Link].2004.07.004
1198 M.E.B. Seiffert, C. Loch / Journal of Cleaner Production 13 (2005) 1197e1202

of the field of human ecology and the feasibility of an different social agents involved. In summary, the
environmental policy guided by a preventive rather then concrete forms required to reach the ideal are unique
remedial view [20]. for each community in space and time, and the
The objective of this article is to discuss the impor- management systems required to reach this ideal
tance of the systemic view in environmental manage- demand negotiation and use of instruments for the
ment as the sole way of achieving SD. resolution of conflicts [3].

2. Theory 2.2. Systemic thinking and environmental

management
2.1. Sustainable development
At present, we are experiencing a paradigm shift. The
A major obstacle to the achievement of SD is lack of mechanicist paradigm, characterized by regarding living
agreement of the conceptual bases, mainly the inherent systems with the mechanicist’s attitude likened to a
ambiguity of the terms involved: what can be sustained clock, is being gradually replaced by a holistic, global or
and developed at the same time? The direct object of ecological view of the world.
sustainability has a different meaning for different Systemic reasoning is more crucial now than ever
parties. Ecologists want to sustain the natural environ- before, because of the complexity that rules our world.
ment, whereas consumers want to maintain their Perhaps, for the first time in history, humanity has the
consumption levels and employees want to conserve capacity to create much more information than man can
their jobs. As long as the concept means different things handle, to generate much more interdependence than
to different agents, it will be defended by many, but the man can manage and to speed up change faster than
political decisions required for its implementation will man can keep up with. We are surrounded by examples
be impaired [13]. of ‘‘systemic collapses’’, problems such as global
According to the Bruntland Commission [1] the warming and holes in the ozone layer, which do not
sustainability challenge consists of finding ways to have simple local causes [17].
sustain the provision of goods and services that society These and many other examples of environmental
derives from natural systems in ways that ‘‘meet the decay problems, which we will not go into to avoid
needs of the present without compromising the ability of overextending ourselves, reveal the importance of an
future generations to meet their own needs’’. urgent reformulation of the current production model
Sustainable development (SD) is characterized by and of environmental protection policies, as well as of
economic growth based on social justness and sustain- an inevitable need for the implementation and enforce-
ability in the use of natural resources. These three ment of environment management plans.
requirements should be attained harmoniously, i.e., their Environmental management (EM) is a process where-
interrelation should occur in a balanced way [6]. In this by formal and informal, public and private organiza-
way, we will be able to ensure that the welfare of the tions apply mechanisms to develop and implement a set
current generation is met, without jeopardizing the rights of cost effective priority actions on the basis of well-
of the future generations. According to Sachs [16], the articulated societal preferences and goals for: the
forerunner of the SD concept, five essential dimensions maintenance or improvement of ambient environmental
have been identified within it: cultural, ecological, quality; the provision of environmentally derived or
economic, social and spatial. In an in-depth analysis, related services; and/or the conservation, maintenance
this concept encompasses a systemic perspective, the and enhancement of natural resources and ecosystems
relevant aspects of this process and its relationship, [11]. Environmental management aims to enhance
necessary to reach and maintain a holistic development environmental sustainability, or the management of
model, required to build an ecologically sustainable environmental resources in such a way that their
society. qualities are maintained according to societal norms
An important aspect to consider is the fact that SD and standards [8].
implies in the simultaneous fulfillment of three types of According to Lanna [10], environmental management
aspirations, which tend to conflict with each other in the is the process of articulating the different social agents
short run. Therefore, the ideal solution probably lies in that interact within a certain space, with the purpose of
an intermediate point at which none of the objectives, guaranteeing the adaptation of the means for exploiting
taken individually, can reach their optimum level [6]. environmental resources (natural, economic and socio-
It is important to emphasize that solutions that are cultural) to the specificity of the environment. This
required to reach SD are not universally valid. Thus, in should be based on principles and guidelines well-
each country or region, the definition of the ideal of SD defined and previously stated. Thus, EM has a very
should be the result of transactions between the broad meaning, which encompasses: environmental
 M.E.B. Seiffert, C. Loch / Journal of Cleaner Production 13 (2005) 1197e1202 1199

policies, environmental planning and environmental - The Negative Feedback Principle: This type of self-
monitoring. control in a circular process or between limited
Thus, we can see that systemic thinking is essential values is the most important organizational principle
for environmental management, since management of a subsystem, if this is to survive within the overall
implies in a preceding evaluative stage. To evaluate an system;
environmental object, broadly speaking, means to un- - The Independence from Growth Principle: The
derstand and measure it according to the relationships function of a system must be to guarantee a self-
between its elements and physical, biotic, economic, balanced phase, i.e., one that does not depend on
social and cultural aspects, provided that this object is quantitative growth. Constant growth is considered
thus constituted. Furthermore, it assumes that the focus an illusion for all systems;
to be adopted is not limited to a Cartesian view and does - The Independence of the Product Principle: Those
not center on a reductionist and mechanicist approach, systems that are capable of surviving must be guided
as many properties and characteristics of living systems by their functions rather than products. Products
transcend these approaches. They behave holistically, come and go whereas functions remain;
according to needs that may not always be known, but - Jujitsu Principle: This is based on taking advantage
that are nevertheless real and concrete by chance [12]. of controlled pre-existing forces and energies and
The use of systemic thinking facilitates the un- diverting them in a desired direction, rather than
derstanding of complex systems. The most important fighting the force applied by ‘‘others’’ with our own
property of systems is that they are made up of several force, and then expending further energy of our own
parts that are not isolated, but closely interlinked, to achieve our goals;
forming a complex structure. A random conglomeration - Principle of the Multiple Uses of Products: This is
of the elements does not characterize a system. On the based on the perception that every product and
contrary, all of its components are subject to a certain process can have more than one purpose or function.
order, and each part of a system naturally can be Through interrelated solutions it is possible to reach
a system [18]. This lends a great deal of importance to a multi-stability condition;
systemic thinking, in that it helps to describe complex - Recycling Principle: This refers to using a cyclical
systems and their interrelations, using approaches that process that employs heating and residues. In this
facilitate globalizing thought, avoiding the inconven- way, the difference between raw materials and waste
iences of simplifications. disappears. Similarly, causes and effects merge in the
This new paradigm was the base for structuring cybernetic control system;
Systems Engineering and Biocybernetics. Systems Engi- - Symbiosis Principle: This refers to thinking about
neering consists of a model of procedures for the proximity when planning a new facility, but also to
formulation of complex systems, establishing a proce- a sensible coupling of existing facilities. An example
dure model and a process for the solution of problems. can be found in the industrial sector, where going
The latter is subdivided into a phase of projection of beyond the function of ‘‘waste material exchanges’’
systems and another of management of projects [2]. In and forming a type of ecosystem within industry is
this context, the systemic approach represents an provided by a metal process that cooperates with
organization matrix of multidisciplinary knowledge a paper industry or a food industry with connected
necessary for planning work. Biocybernetics, in turn, water purification and usage of waste;
consists of construction processes using self-regulation - Principle of the Basic Biological Design of Products:
mechanisms, derived from systemic reasoning or cyber- Every product, every function and organization
netic technologies that result from systemic reasoning. should be compatible with biology and its processes,
They are made up of interlinked techniques such as and should always consider the ecosystems’ sustain-
symbioses, recycling, energy chains, the reutilization of able and carrying capacities.
other forms of work and other elegant technologies, that
require little in terms of space, but that are much more With these basic rules of nature we can structure
efficient, in the same way as nature uses them [19]. This a technology economically ‘‘capable of surviving’’.
type of technology is highly appropriate for industrial These principles can be applied to branches of the
use. Its essence lies in understanding that the design of economy such as civil construction, transport systems,
industrial complexes should follow the forms and trade and chemical industries, among others.
examples of nature, in which living systems work In this context, it is important to highlight some of
perfectly, without problems involving raw materials, the initiatives that the United Nations have been
residues or energy. developing through the University of Nations, a pro-
Biocybernetics is governed by eight fundamental gram called Zero Emissions Research Initiative (ZERI).
rules or principles that can be applied to all living The ZERI program is an evolution of the philosophy of
systems that provide it with balance [18,19]: total quality, including several environmental concerns,
1200 M.E.B. Seiffert, C. Loch / Journal of Cleaner Production 13 (2005) 1197e1202

through a holistic perspective [14]. It carries out research concentrate on the perfection of details, without
on new technological industries in order to minimize the considering interrelations and the laws of a systemic
production of industrial effluents (in solid, liquid and structure capable of surviving. This cannot be un-
gas form) and maximize profits. In this new production derstood in the romantic sense of a ‘‘return to nature’’
process, the industrial complex consists of a conglomer- or the Stone Age but as a necessary step in the direction
ate where the residues and by-products from one of a profitable symbiosis with the biosphere as a whole.
company or production process become the ‘‘input’’ This way we will reach technologies and more elegant
for another one, eliminating waste. In other words, the and progressive organizational forms than the ones that
use of the raw materials and even the energy that goes are currently used to structure our environment [19].
into the process is maximized, minimizing the environ- We can see that a change to the systemic paradigm is
mental impact of the productive activity. Through this a major advance in order to reach SD through
initiative, it is expected that a restructuring of industrial environmental management. However it is important
processes and of managerial vision can be achieved, with to understand that a process of environmental manage-
the establishment of a systemic structure that can be ment will only be made fully possible after the de-
inserted into the environment causing very little or no velopment of new environmental laws that leave no
environmental impact and being economically compet- room for doubtful or ambiguous interpretations. Addi-
itive in the market. Industry representatives consider it tionally, it is essential for national, state and municipal
to be the logical continuation of the zero-defects and rulers to commit to all stages of the process, which
zero-inventory challenges that they are pursuing in their should be participative, i.e., open to all players with
Total Quality Management and just-in-time efforts. common interests regarding the environment in ques-
It is important to point out, however, that to fully tion. Moreover, it is necessary that governments adopt
attain this objective, new production technologies and uniformly enforce well-defined environmental pol-
should be established and continuously improved. To icies and establish a sound environmental education
this end, it is necessary to scientifically redirect the plan not only for children, but also to develop adult
research executed, as well as to assign funds for the awareness.
process. Moreover, a managerial culture change is There is a tendency toward a fixation on the concepts
necessary, moving away from the short-term point of of sustainability, within the premise that the best
view that currently focuses solely on maximizing profits, products or the best productive processes are those that
even if the price to be paid for this is environmental are better for the environment. This concept incorpo-
degradation. rates different aspects, such as economic and financial
profitability, production efficiency and product and
process quality. In this context, the use of the ‘‘polluters
3. Discussion must pay’’ principle is fundamental, as it enables the
internalization of costs resulting from environmental
Not only are industrial activities a major source of damage due to the production process. The adoption of
environmental destruction but also agriculture. The environmental accounting audits in the process of
indiscriminate use of fertilizers and defensive chemicals corporate mergers and acquisitions lends further
(insecticides, herbicides, fungicides, antibiotics) by strength to this point of view. The expression ‘‘environ-
agricultural producers is a significant source of environ- mental liabilities’’ covers fines, charges and taxes that
mental pollution. These chemicals are not only harmful must be paid due to the violation of environmental laws,
to the environment but also to man; not only through as well as the costs of implantation of procedures and
the consumption of contaminated food but also during technologies that can facilitate the correction of
the application of these substances in plantations, compliance failures, plus the expenditure required for
usually without the use of the recommended safety the recovery of degraded areas and compensation of the
equipment. The residues of defensive chemicals, besides affected population. Insurance companies and financial
causing direct damage to the quality of the soil in the organizations are already taking into account the
applied area, can also contaminate the water table, environmental liabilities of a company before conduct-
jeopardizing its quality for consumption. Furthermore, ing any financial operation.
fertilizers following the same path can lead to the According to the conclusions of Robert [15] aiming to
eutrophication of rivers and lakes, reaching the coastal adapt the current development pattern to a sustainable
sea water in the long run. model, it is necessary to analyze the advantages and
The real risk for the future lies in the fact that we are disadvantages related to each environmental manage-
ignoring the systemic character of our enterprises and of ment tool adopted (EMSeISO 14001, Eco-Management
our economy, and we continue to look at the world as and Audit Scheme (EMAS), Cleaner Production, Life
a playing field to be conquered by highly specialized Cycle Assessment, Zero Emissions Research Initiative e
experts. We generally treat each project individually and ZERI, etc.). They concluded that each one of these has
 M.E.B. Seiffert, C. Loch / Journal of Cleaner Production 13 (2005) 1197e1202 1201

specific benefits when considered in isolation, but their interconnected issues can be clearly seen on a global
potential can be increased by integrated utilization; basis and have been affecting the quality of life for quite
every tool has a different objective and depends on the a while, even if nuclear disasters are not taken into
specific context and application. account.
Another important cause of ecological problems Thus, it is evident that the development of an efficient
related to human activity, besides technology, is environmental management system, in spite of all the
population growth, the effects of which are intercon- aforementioned problems, is the only possibility for
nected. According to the Malthusian point of view, the making decisions that are environmentally appropriate.
relationship between demographic density and the base However, we must always keep in mind that the
of natural resources, taking the former as a variable development of management plans and their execution
factor and the latter as a constant one, the pace of world should be accomplished in such a way as to guarantee
population growth has been rising which leads to a trend the participation of the all players that have a stake in
toward the scarcity and extinction of natural resources, the process, in order to ensure its democratic character.
especially under our current system of production. This Achieving SD is no easy task because it implies
human population growth, combined with an increasing radically restructuring our society from a cultural,
life expectancy, due to the medical revolution and social, economic and political perspective.
increased consumption patterns mainly in developed The remarkable increase of complexity in man-made
countries, have been increasing the environmental systems over the last decades is evident and there is
impact of human activities. Even considering man’s a trend toward a dramatic rise in complexity in the
creative capacity and the rate at which new technologies future. It has therefore, become clear that there is an
are being developed, the problem still lies in the numeric urgent need to look at human society and its environ-
pressure on a fixed base of natural resources, because mental relationships through a systemic approach.
the entire ecosystem has a maximum capacity for Nature has billions of years of experience in developing
supporting a given number of individuals, from which complex real-time systems and this reasoning must be
point on the elasticity of the ecosystem is lost and results explored to reduce the impact of human activity upon
in imbalances. ecosystems. The evolution of a systemic approach means
Thus, it becomes important to control demographic including the strategy of natural systems in man-made
density and to foster a more balanced distribution of systems. This reasoning will be an internal guide to
income, because, as long as all citizens do not enjoy a viable long-term industrial and agricultural process
a minimum educational level and, above all, if they do and to more efficient environmental policies.
not satisfy their basic needs (food, clothing and Above all, in order to get a global understanding of
housing), they cannot be aware of the importance of a problem, it is essential to make a distinction between
conserving the environment. The issue of gold-digging structural and conjectural characteristics, in order to
in Brazil, for example, is a very serious problem, support successful environmental interventions.
among other reasons because of the substantial
environmental devastation that it causes and of the
way in which it is carried out. This case, however,
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