RMI's original Guiding Principles formed the backdrop for natural capitalism, a new form of doing business and one that properly values its natural origins.

Today, our Guiding Principles have expanded on the originals , and now comprise eight core areas. Explore the links for each principle to obtain futher details. 

The Eight Guiding Principles of Rocky Mountain Institute

• Advanced Resource Productivity: Using natural resources much more productively — efficiently — is both profitable and better for the environment.
• Whole-Systems Design: Whole-systems design reveals lasting, elegantly frugal solutions with multiple benefits.
• Positive Action: We don't lobby, litigate, or harass those with whom we disagree.
• Market-Oriented Solutions: We believe in working with markets, not against them.
• End-use/Least-cost Approach: "What are we trying to do, and what's the best and cheapest way to do it?"
• Biological Insight: Nature offers extraordinary design solutions honed by 3.8 billion years' rigorous testing
• Corporate Transformation: We view the corporate world, which environmental groups often dismiss as "the problem," as an essential part of the solution.
• The Pursuit of Interconnection: We believe strongly in the importance of a "vision across boundaries."