Meeting the challenge of sustainability requires a vision to guide the evolution of the industrial system. From an industrial ecology perspective key elements of this vision include:

Industry operates within the limits of global, regional, and local carrying capacity, maintaining a cautious margin for error.

Diversity of life and health of ecosystems are preserved as the foundation for the viability of the whole system of life.

Damaged ecosystems are restored.

Both private and public decisions are guided by the precautionary principle, avoiding innovations that inflict irreversible damage on natural and human systems.

Industry reflects ecological and biological principles in the design and operation of its activities, from the farm, mine, and shop floor to the executive suite.

Materials are cycled through the economy to an optimal degree, approaching a closed-loop system.

Major energy sources are renewable and solar based.

Effective transition strategies guide the phasing out of fossil fuel uses.

Use of renewable materials is in balance with their production and non-renewable materials are conserved and valued.

Industry and consumers use all energy and materials with highest possible efficiency.

Industry views its basic economic role as serving the real needs of people and communities, not multiplying material consumption.

Efficiency and productivity are in dynamic balance with resiliency, assuring continued capacity to adapt to change.

Farming and food processing at every scale operate according to ecological principles.

Societal  well-being is measured through indicators of the achievement of these values, along with the other core values of sustainability: equity and participation in governance.

Societies make the transition to this state while maintaining the economic viability of systems for extraction, production, distribution, transportation, and services.

The transition supports development of more viable communities, with improved quality of life around the planet. (Note: Once basic needs are met, improved quality of life does not demand increased material consumption.)