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.

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.

Learn more and join as a member for free

Published Research Packages

  • 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

  • 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

  • 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

  • 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

  • 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

Sea Wall, Coastal Mitigation & the Environmental Price
Editors Unbuilt Labs Editors Unbuilt Labs

Sea Wall, Coastal Mitigation & the Environmental Price

In the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy the loss of life and property highlighted that the proximity to water, which had once made New York City a global economic powerhouse had become a liability and preventative action would be required. Sandy’s destructive power can largely be attributed to a storm surge of about 9 ft.

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New York's Surprisingly Fragile Food Chain
Editors Unbuilt Labs Editors Unbuilt Labs

New York's Surprisingly Fragile Food Chain

Aside from the climate crisis threatening food production by destabilizing growing regions, sea level rise will distress the infrastructure used to bring that food into New York City.

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Climate Change & Zombie Viruses for NYC
Editors Unbuilt Labs Editors Unbuilt Labs

Climate Change & Zombie Viruses for NYC

While warming and increasingly acidic ocean water will provide existing pathogens a greater foothold in New York City over time, another relevant consideration is the emergence of ‘zombie viruses.’

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Foundations of Modern Antitrust Ideologies (1890s – 1970s)
Editors Unbuilt Labs Editors Unbuilt Labs

Foundations of Modern Antitrust Ideologies (1890s – 1970s)

Whereas trusts are illegal, the legality of monopolies is more nuanced. Having monopoly power is not in itself an antitrust violation, though it is a prerequisite for an antitrust charge. At the heart of the argument for the existence of monopolies is Judge Learned Hand’s view in the landmark case United States v. Alcoa: “The successful competitor, having been urged to compete, must not be turned upon when he wins.”

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