Sustainable Innovation Think Tank
Some people think sustainability is soft — this cannot be further from the truth. Sustainability is about changing powers structures, avoiding ecological collapse, shifting economic priorities, and fostering global cooperation. Sustainability is one of the hardest things we will ever do.
What are the new ways to create value? How might better governance bring sustainable ideas to market? We call this window of opportunity Sustainable Innovation, and we believe that doing good can be profitable. We take a systems approach, and we host the Global Consortium for Systems Research.
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As the central research body at Unbuilt Labs, we perform an exploratory and evaluative function. All of the activities, observations, and conversations at Unbuilt Labs are synthesized through the Sustainable Innovation Think Tank (SITT).
On a tactical level, SITT distinguishes itself from traditional think tanks in several ways:
We understand that policy is only one of the many tools available to change-makers. Our research has a much broader scope, focusing on responding to the drivers behind global changes.
We engage a much wider range of stakeholders and draw expertise from industry, academia, as well as popular culture. We bring together a brilliant family of thinkers and creatives to address the most pressing challenges of our time.
While long term (5-10 years) macroeconomic trends and forecasts are valuable, we believe the world has gotten significantly more volatile. Early intervention or preventive action requires an understanding of the short (3-6 months) and medium-term (1-2 years) impact of disruptive trends and crises. We specialize in delivering actionable insights within those time-frames.
We do more than build theories. With the support of the Ecosystem, we examine ideas in action and receive feedback on our research. We test our information products much like you would with digital products - through rigorous user research and user testing methods.
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While we will never be the firm for every project, we always recommend potential clients to reach out regardless to grab a virtual coffee. With our vast network, we will be able to tell you during the first meeting several things:
Context: What is the state of the conversation?
Problem: What does emerging literature tell us? Is there a root cause to the challenge you missed?
Method: Does expertise within this area exist? What are the knowledge gaps? Can the challenge be resolved with more knowledge?
Results: What are some promising areas to look into? What might it be able to tell us and what are the limitations?
For new business inquiries, please email Advisory@UnbuiltLabs.com. Thank you for your interest!
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What are the new ways to create value? How might better governance bring sustainable ideas to market? We are looking for publications that meet several criteria:
Use an academic theory to contextualize crises or disruptive trends in a creative way
Help formulate an understanding of what good governance and value creation means today
Provide clear, actionable insights on governance or value creation
Bonus points: if an article is witty or an entertaining read
Crises unfold in real time and we need high quality insights to make informed decisions. We cannot wait until all the information is available before we act - by then it would be too late. We welcome speculative or forward looking perspectives that build on a solid review of existing perspectives.
A cross-disciplinary review panel will review your work prior to publication. This involves consulting not only with experts in your field, but also experts in fields where your research may affect.
To submit a pitch: Email an outline together with a writing sample to pitch@UnbuiltLabs.com. The writing sample can either be an essay you have written in the past, or a paragraph from the piece you intend to publish. We look forward to working with you whether you are a first-time or experienced writer. Please be sure to review more details about the publication process on our page For Authors.
Our Thinkers and Creatives Come From
The Sustainable Innovation Think Tank at Unbuilt Labs hosts the Global Consortium for Systems Research (GCSR). GCSR was convened following the 2013 symposium at The Royal Society, "Global Integrated Assessment: Making Sense of Complexity in an Interdependent World". We study, forecast, and guide systems change to solve grand challenges.
Published Research Packages
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Understanding the New Antitrust Movement Against Big Tech: What is At Stake and What to Expect
This research package by Co-Director Marvin Cheung was presented at ChairX and other venues. While predicting the outcome of these lawsuits is incredibly challenging given the ever-changing regulatory landscape, we can still foresee some of the lawsuits’ business implications based on philosophical debates and historical precedents. Read more
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Post York: the New York flood scenario research package
Unbuilt Labs provided the research to the fact sheet in graphic novel Post York by James Romberger, edited & published by Karen Berger for Berger Books at Dark Horse Comics. James’ artworks are in many public and private collections, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Brooklyn Museum, and Harvard Business School. Read more
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Incentive programs to help NYC building owners comply with the Climate Mobilization Act
"The Climate Mobilization Act is the largest climate solution put forth by any city in the world" according to the NYC Mayor's Office of Sustainability. This research package explores the financial incentives for building owners.
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What you need to know about New York's Green New Deal
The Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA) is the ambitious legislation enacted with the goal of reducing New York state emissions to net zero. This research package looks at the advisory panels, nuances of how disadvantaged communities are defined, the heat vulnerability index, and incentive programs. Read more
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The Green Divide: Bridging the attitude-behavior gap in sustainable apparel consumption
Amidst growing concerns about climate change, there have been numerous calls for more sustainable and socially responsible fashion on a global scale. This research package explores how sustainability communications can contribute to behavioural change. Read more
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Sustainable Fashion Across EU and US
What does “sustainable fashion“ mean from a legal point of view? This research package examines some of the major topics from greenwashing litigations to transparency, EU Ecolabel, tax schemes, and quality requirements. Read more
Select Articles
Binding Regulations in EU and US on Quality Requirements of Clothing Textiles Play a Positive Role
If fashion companies aspire to be sustainable and profitable at the same time, they need to comply with binding regulations on quality requirements of clothing textiles in the EU and the States. The requirements contained in these regulations promote environmentally friendly best practices.
The Tax Schemes Supporting the Sustainable Fashion Agenda in Europe
Some European countries adopted or are considering adopting tax incentives such as low value added tax (VAT) and tax shifts to favor corporate sustainability in the textile industry. Using a carrot and stick approach, they reward fashion companies that produce garments with green impact, namely circular products, and penalize fashion companies that produce linear products with a negative impact to the environment.
The EU Ecolabel is Unlikely to be the Best Tool for Sustainable Fashion Companies
While the EU Ecolabel looks appealing for fashion companies as it may enhance their public profile and serve potential customers’ green demands - there are significant challenges to the program.
Transparency as a Foundation to a More Sustainable Fashion Industry
Transparency on its own does not render fashion companies more sustainable, however, transparency ensures accountability and supports companies’ sustainability claims. Being transparent provides fashion companies and designers an idea of their impact on the environment. More importantly, it builds trust in the mind of certain consumers who favor sustainable clothing textiles.
Avoiding Greenwashing Litigation with Better Practices
If a fashion company aspires to be sustainable and profitable at the same time, it must avoid greenwashing litigation against consumers and regulatory agencies.
Wall Street, Not on Solid Ground
Research shows that Manhattan urban development is not bound by depth to bedrock, developers will put skyscrapers where zoning permits and there is a demonstrating desire for them. It also shows that the tastes and practices of Manhattan real estate are so potent that they haven’t been believably elided with geological parameters.
The Green Divide: Bridging the Attitude-Behavior Gap in Sustainable Apparel Consumption
Amidst growing concerns about climate change, there have been numerous calls for more sustainable and socially responsible fashion on a global scale (Brooks et al., 2017). Despite both industry efforts and increased consumer awareness on this matter, there has yet to be significant action undertaken that successfully influences consumers to shop more sustainably.
Rising Sustainability Message Regulations in the Apparel Industry
Unfolding alongside the constitutive demands for transparency, policymakers have also begun to more stringently examine ways to mitigate firms' exaggerated or unsubstantiated sustainability claims (aka greenwashing) in order to facilitate greater transparency and environmental accountability.