Journal of Cleaner Production 13 (2005) 1197e1202

www.elsevier.com/locate/jclepro

Note from the eld

Systemic thinking in environmental management: support

for sustainable development
Mari Elizabete B. Seierta,*, Carlos Lochb
a

Institute of Research and Development, Universidade do Vale do Paraba, Sao Jose dos Campos, Sao Paulo, Brazil
b
Department of Civil Engineering, Universidade de Santa Catarina, Florianopolis, 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 mans productive activities and as a result of this has been suering 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).
2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Keywords: SD; Environmental management; Systemic thinking

1. Introduction
The remarkable expansion of technical and productive capabilities and the worlds sharp demographic
growth have highlighted, especially during the second
half of the 20th century, that natural resources and the
services derived from them are not unlimited and that
their scarcity or exhaustion constitutes a serious threat
to humanitys present and future well being [3]. This led
to the creation of a new development model, namely,
SD.
The awareness of ecological principles leads to
recognizing that all human activity has a related
ecological cost, which means that any intervention in
systems and natural processes should take into account
* Corresponding author. Tel.: C550 12 3947 1126; fax: C550 12 3947
1122.
E-mail addresses: mariebs@univap.br (M.E.B. Seiert), ecv1clo@
ecv.ufsc.br (C. Loch).
0959-6526/$ - see front matter 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
doi:10.1016/j.jclepro.2004.07.004

their sustainability and elasticity, as well as the base of

natural resources. This awareness also emphasizes the
need to understand the holistic nature of life, including
biological, social and political life [4]. Thus, systemic
reasoning arises. It is a way of considering interrelations
rather than things, establishing patterns of change that
represent a set of general principles, rened over the
course of 20 years, including elds of knowledge as
diverse as physical and social sciences, engineering and
management.
Systemic reasoning also comprises a set of specic
techniques and tools, whose origins are twofold: the
feedback concepts of cybernetics and of the 19th century
servomechanism engineering theory. During the last
30 years, these tools have been applied to the understanding of a great variety of managerial, urban,
regional, economic, political, ecological and even
physiological systems [17].
However, work is scarce on the systemic paradigm as
an indispensable element of the theoretical integration

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M.E.B. Seiert, C. Loch / Journal of Cleaner Production 13 (2005) 1197e1202

of the eld of human ecology and the feasibility of an

environmental policy guided by a preventive rather then
remedial view [20].
The objective of this article is to discuss the importance of the systemic view in environmental management as the sole way of achieving SD.

dierent social agents involved. In summary, the

concrete forms required to reach the ideal are unique
for each community in space and time, and the
management systems required to reach this ideal
demand negotiation and use of instruments for the
resolution of conicts [3].

2. Theory

2.2. Systemic thinking and environmental

management

2.1. Sustainable development

A major obstacle to the achievement of SD is lack of
agreement of the conceptual bases, mainly the inherent
ambiguity of the terms involved: what can be sustained
and developed at the same time? The direct object of
sustainability has a dierent meaning for dierent
parties. Ecologists want to sustain the natural environment, whereas consumers want to maintain their
consumption levels and employees want to conserve
their jobs. As long as the concept means dierent things
to dierent agents, it will be defended by many, but the
political decisions required for its implementation will
be impaired [13].
According to the Bruntland Commission [1] the
sustainability challenge consists of nding ways to
sustain the provision of goods and services that society
derives from natural systems in ways that meet the
needs of the present without compromising the ability of
future generations to meet their own needs.
Sustainable development (SD) is characterized by
economic growth based on social justness and sustainability in the use of natural resources. These three
requirements should be attained harmoniously, i.e., their
interrelation should occur in a balanced way [6]. In this
way, we will be able to ensure that the welfare of the
current generation is met, without jeopardizing the rights
of the future generations. According to Sachs [16], the
forerunner of the SD concept, ve essential dimensions
have been identied within it: cultural, ecological,
economic, social and spatial. In an in-depth analysis,
this concept encompasses a systemic perspective, the
relevant aspects of this process and its relationship,
necessary to reach and maintain a holistic development
model, required to build an ecologically sustainable
society.
An important aspect to consider is the fact that SD
implies in the simultaneous fulllment of three types of
aspirations, which tend to conict with each other in the
short run. Therefore, the ideal solution probably lies in
an intermediate point at which none of the objectives,
taken individually, can reach their optimum level [6].
It is important to emphasize that solutions that are
required to reach SD are not universally valid. Thus, in
each country or region, the denition of the ideal of SD
should be the result of transactions between the

At present, we are experiencing a paradigm shift. The

mechanicist paradigm, characterized by regarding living
systems with the mechanicists attitude likened to a
clock, is being gradually replaced by a holistic, global or
ecological view of the world.
Systemic reasoning is more crucial now than ever
before, because of the complexity that rules our world.
Perhaps, for the rst time in history, humanity has the
capacity to create much more information than man can
handle, to generate much more interdependence than
man can manage and to speed up change faster than
man can keep up with. We are surrounded by examples
of systemic collapses, problems such as global
warming and holes in the ozone layer, which do not
have simple local causes [17].
These and many other examples of environmental
decay problems, which we will not go into to avoid
overextending ourselves, reveal the importance of an
urgent reformulation of the current production model
and of environmental protection policies, as well as of
an inevitable need for the implementation and enforcement of environment management plans.
Environmental management (EM) is a process whereby formal and informal, public and private organizations apply mechanisms to develop and implement a set
of cost eective priority actions on the basis of wellarticulated societal preferences and goals for: the
maintenance or improvement of ambient environmental
quality; the provision of environmentally derived or
related services; and/or the conservation, maintenance
and enhancement of natural resources and ecosystems
[11]. Environmental management aims to enhance
environmental sustainability, or the management of
environmental resources in such a way that their
qualities are maintained according to societal norms
and standards [8].
According to Lanna [10], environmental management
is the process of articulating the dierent social agents
that interact within a certain space, with the purpose of
guaranteeing the adaptation of the means for exploiting
environmental resources (natural, economic and sociocultural) to the specicity of the environment. This
should be based on principles and guidelines welldened and previously stated. Thus, EM has a very
broad meaning, which encompasses: environmental

M.E.B. Seiert, C. Loch / Journal of Cleaner Production 13 (2005) 1197e1202

policies, environmental planning and environmental

monitoring.
Thus, we can see that systemic thinking is essential
for environmental management, since management
implies in a preceding evaluative stage. To evaluate an
environmental object, broadly speaking, means to understand and measure it according to the relationships
between its elements and physical, biotic, economic,
social and cultural aspects, provided that this object is
thus constituted. Furthermore, it assumes that the focus
to be adopted is not limited to a Cartesian view and does
not center on a reductionist and mechanicist approach,
as many properties and characteristics of living systems
transcend these approaches. They behave holistically,
according to needs that may not always be known, but
that are nevertheless real and concrete by chance [12].
The use of systemic thinking facilitates the understanding of complex systems. The most important
property of systems is that they are made up of several
parts that are not isolated, but closely interlinked,
forming a complex structure. A random conglomeration
of the elements does not characterize a system. On the
contrary, all of its components are subject to a certain
order, and each part of a system naturally can be
a system [18]. This lends a great deal of importance to
systemic thinking, in that it helps to describe complex
systems and their interrelations, using approaches that
facilitate globalizing thought, avoiding the inconveniences of simplications.
This new paradigm was the base for structuring
Systems Engineering and Biocybernetics. Systems Engineering consists of a model of procedures for the
formulation of complex systems, establishing a procedure model and a process for the solution of problems.
The latter is subdivided into a phase of projection of
systems and another of management of projects [2]. In
this context, the systemic approach represents an
organization matrix of multidisciplinary knowledge
necessary for planning work. Biocybernetics, in turn,
consists of construction processes using self-regulation
mechanisms, derived from systemic reasoning or cybernetic technologies that result from systemic reasoning.
They are made up of interlinked techniques such as
symbioses, recycling, energy chains, the reutilization of
other forms of work and other elegant technologies, that
require little in terms of space, but that are much more
ecient, in the same way as nature uses them [19]. This
type of technology is highly appropriate for industrial
use. Its essence lies in understanding that the design of
industrial complexes should follow the forms and
examples of nature, in which living systems work
perfectly, without problems involving raw materials,
residues or energy.
Biocybernetics is governed by eight fundamental
rules or principles that can be applied to all living
systems that provide it with balance [18,19]:

1199

- The Negative Feedback Principle: This type of selfcontrol in a circular process or between limited
values is the most important organizational principle
of a subsystem, if this is to survive within the overall
system;
- The Independence from Growth Principle: The
function of a system must be to guarantee a selfbalanced phase, i.e., one that does not depend on
quantitative growth. Constant growth is considered
an illusion for all systems;
- The Independence of the Product Principle: Those
systems that are capable of surviving must be guided
by their functions rather than products. Products
come and go whereas functions remain;
- Jujitsu Principle: This is based on taking advantage
of controlled pre-existing forces and energies and
diverting them in a desired direction, rather than
ghting the force applied by others with our own
force, and then expending further energy of our own
to achieve our goals;
- Principle of the Multiple Uses of Products: This is
based on the perception that every product and
process can have more than one purpose or function.
Through interrelated solutions it is possible to reach
a multi-stability condition;
- Recycling Principle: This refers to using a cyclical
process that employs heating and residues. In this
way, the dierence between raw materials and waste
disappears. Similarly, causes and eects merge in the
cybernetic control system;
- Symbiosis Principle: This refers to thinking about
proximity when planning a new facility, but also to
a sensible coupling of existing facilities. An example
can be found in the industrial sector, where going
beyond the function of waste material exchanges
and forming a type of ecosystem within industry is
provided by a metal process that cooperates with
a paper industry or a food industry with connected
water purication and usage of waste;
- Principle of the Basic Biological Design of Products:
Every product, every function and organization
should be compatible with biology and its processes,
and should always consider the ecosystems sustainable and carrying capacities.
With these basic rules of nature we can structure
a technology economically capable of surviving.
These principles can be applied to branches of the
economy such as civil construction, transport systems,
trade and chemical industries, among others.
In this context, it is important to highlight some of
the initiatives that the United Nations have been
developing through the University of Nations, a program called Zero Emissions Research Initiative (ZERI).
The ZERI program is an evolution of the philosophy of
total quality, including several environmental concerns,

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M.E.B. Seiert, C. Loch / Journal of Cleaner Production 13 (2005) 1197e1202

through a holistic perspective [14]. It carries out research

on new technological industries in order to minimize the
production of industrial euents (in solid, liquid and
gas form) and maximize prots. In this new production
process, the industrial complex consists of a conglomerate where the residues and by-products from one
company or production process become the input
for another one, eliminating waste. In other words, the
use of the raw materials and even the energy that goes
into the process is maximized, minimizing the environmental impact of the productive activity. Through this
initiative, it is expected that a restructuring of industrial
processes and of managerial vision can be achieved, with
the establishment of a systemic structure that can be
inserted into the environment causing very little or no
environmental impact and being economically competitive in the market. Industry representatives consider it
to be the logical continuation of the zero-defects and
zero-inventory challenges that they are pursuing in their
Total Quality Management and just-in-time eorts.
It is important to point out, however, that to fully
attain this objective, new production technologies
should be established and continuously improved. To
this end, it is necessary to scientically redirect the
research executed, as well as to assign funds for the
process. Moreover, a managerial culture change is
necessary, moving away from the short-term point of
view that currently focuses solely on maximizing prots,
even if the price to be paid for this is environmental
degradation.

3. Discussion
Not only are industrial activities a major source of
environmental destruction but also agriculture. The
indiscriminate use of fertilizers and defensive chemicals
(insecticides, herbicides, fungicides, antibiotics) by
agricultural producers is a signicant source of environmental pollution. These chemicals are not only harmful
to the environment but also to man; not only through
the consumption of contaminated food but also during
the application of these substances in plantations,
usually without the use of the recommended safety
equipment. The residues of defensive chemicals, besides
causing direct damage to the quality of the soil in the
applied area, can also contaminate the water table,
jeopardizing its quality for consumption. Furthermore,
fertilizers following the same path can lead to the
eutrophication of rivers and lakes, reaching the coastal
sea water in the long run.
The real risk for the future lies in the fact that we are
ignoring the systemic character of our enterprises and of
our economy, and we continue to look at the world as
a playing eld to be conquered by highly specialized
experts. We generally treat each project individually and

concentrate on the perfection of details, without

considering interrelations and the laws of a systemic
structure capable of surviving. This cannot be understood in the romantic sense of a return to nature
or the Stone Age but as a necessary step in the direction
of a protable symbiosis with the biosphere as a whole.
This way we will reach technologies and more elegant
and progressive organizational forms than the ones that
are currently used to structure our environment [19].
We can see that a change to the systemic paradigm is
a major advance in order to reach SD through
environmental management. However it is important
to understand that a process of environmental management will only be made fully possible after the development of new environmental laws that leave no
room for doubtful or ambiguous interpretations. Additionally, it is essential for national, state and municipal
rulers to commit to all stages of the process, which
should be participative, i.e., open to all players with
common interests regarding the environment in question. Moreover, it is necessary that governments adopt
and uniformly enforce well-dened environmental policies and establish a sound environmental education
plan not only for children, but also to develop adult
awareness.
There is a tendency toward a xation on the concepts
of sustainability, within the premise that the best
products or the best productive processes are those that
are better for the environment. This concept incorporates dierent aspects, such as economic and nancial
protability, production eciency and product and
process quality. In this context, the use of the polluters
must pay principle is fundamental, as it enables the
internalization of costs resulting from environmental
damage due to the production process. The adoption of
environmental accounting audits in the process of
corporate mergers and acquisitions lends further
strength to this point of view. The expression environmental liabilities covers nes, charges and taxes that
must be paid due to the violation of environmental laws,
as well as the costs of implantation of procedures and
technologies that can facilitate the correction of
compliance failures, plus the expenditure required for
the recovery of degraded areas and compensation of the
aected population. Insurance companies and nancial
organizations are already taking into account the
environmental liabilities of a company before conducting any nancial operation.
According to the conclusions of Robert [15] aiming to
adapt the current development pattern to a sustainable
model, it is necessary to analyze the advantages and
disadvantages related to each environmental management tool adopted (EMSeISO 14001, Eco-Management
and Audit Scheme (EMAS), Cleaner Production, Life
Cycle Assessment, Zero Emissions Research Initiative e
ZERI, etc.). They concluded that each one of these has

M.E.B. Seiert, C. Loch / Journal of Cleaner Production 13 (2005) 1197e1202

specic benets when considered in isolation, but their

potential can be increased by integrated utilization;
every tool has a dierent objective and depends on the
specic context and application.
Another important cause of ecological problems
related to human activity, besides technology, is
population growth, the eects of which are interconnected. According to the Malthusian point of view, the
relationship between demographic density and the base
of natural resources, taking the former as a variable
factor and the latter as a constant one, the pace of world
population growth has been rising which leads to a trend
toward the scarcity and extinction of natural resources,
especially under our current system of production. This
human population growth, combined with an increasing
life expectancy, due to the medical revolution and
increased consumption patterns mainly in developed
countries, have been increasing the environmental
impact of human activities. Even considering mans
creative capacity and the rate at which new technologies
are being developed, the problem still lies in the numeric
pressure on a xed base of natural resources, because
the entire ecosystem has a maximum capacity for
supporting a given number of individuals, from which
point on the elasticity of the ecosystem is lost and results
in imbalances.
Thus, it becomes important to control demographic
density and to foster a more balanced distribution of
income, because, as long as all citizens do not enjoy
a minimum educational level and, above all, if they do
not satisfy their basic needs (food, clothing and
housing), they cannot be aware of the importance of
conserving the environment. The issue of gold-digging
in Brazil, for example, is a very serious problem,
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,
cannot be regarded as a simple police case. Many of
the gold-diggers engage in this activity because they are
people denied access to the conventional work market.
In this sense, prohibiting gold-digging should imply an
opportunity of other means of subsistence for these
people. For this, the country would need additional
nancial resources [3].

4. Conclusions
From the arguments presented, we emphasize that
systemic thinking is undoubtedly an important tool for
the current pattern of development to be transformed
into environmentally correct development, i.e., SD.
This transition to SD will enable us help ensure mans
quality of life and survival on earth. The eects of mans
unconscious and irresponsible behavior towards the
environment and disregard for these complex and

1201

interconnected issues can be clearly seen on a global

basis and have been aecting the quality of life for quite
a while, even if nuclear disasters are not taken into
account.
Thus, it is evident that the development of an ecient
environmental management system, in spite of all the
aforementioned problems, is the only possibility for
making decisions that are environmentally appropriate.
However, we must always keep in mind that the
development of management plans and their execution
should be accomplished in such a way as to guarantee
the participation of the all players that have a stake in
the process, in order to ensure its democratic character.
Achieving SD is no easy task because it implies
radically restructuring our society from a cultural,
social, economic and political perspective.
The remarkable increase of complexity in man-made
systems over the last decades is evident and there is
a trend toward a dramatic rise in complexity in the
future. It has therefore, become clear that there is an
urgent need to look at human society and its environmental relationships through a systemic approach.
Nature has billions of years of experience in developing
complex real-time systems and this reasoning must be
explored to reduce the impact of human activity upon
ecosystems. The evolution of a systemic approach means
including the strategy of natural systems in man-made
systems. This reasoning will be an internal guide to
a viable long-term industrial and agricultural process
and to more ecient environmental policies.
Above all, in order to get a global understanding of
a problem, it is essential to make a distinction between
structural and conjectural characteristics, in order to
support successful environmental interventions.

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