Changing Tack

Why iteration over innovation leads to sustainable systems changes
By Jeff Erikson, May 06, 2013
It takes many actions by many people and organizations to make whole systems change -- and every action, no matter how small, is essential.

Now is the time for major leaps in corporate sustainability
By Mark Lee, March 08, 2013
Public pressure is shifting toward taking action on a range of sustainability issues — can business shift to keep up?
The future of transparency: Trust B trumps Trust A
By Lorraine Smith, February 04, 2013
The new mantra for corporate transparency: Be, don’t account.
What will it take for integrated reporting to go mainstream?
By Lorraine Smith, December 03, 2012
A discussion between SustainAbility’s Lorraine Smith and Leah Haygood of BuzzWord.
Sustainability hearts cities
By Mark Lee, November 05, 2012
Chicago and Las Vegas are among the cities demonstrating that the future of urbanism doesn't have to be Blade Runner dark.
Why business needs more activism
By Frances Buckingham, October 01, 2012
Four reasons why business should embrace more aggressive activist campaigns in the years to come.
What good are sustainability ratings?
By Michael Sadowski, September 17, 2012
While ratings such as the Carbon Disclosure Project and the Dow Jones Sustainability Index have achieved widespread credibility, it's unclear how much investors -- and others outside...
What’s the Big Idea?
By Mark Lee, September 04, 2012
Big, brassy, branded, corporate sustainability programs can work, but only if done well.
8 attributes that position your company as a green leader
By Jeff Erikson, August 06, 2012
What can your company learn from Olympic cyclists, Interface and GE about leadership?
6 keys to broadening and deepening sustainability
By Huw Maggs, July 02, 2012
How companies can close the “execution gap” between sustainability strategy and actual performance.
Green agenda takes backseat as recession lingers
By Mark Lee, June 04, 2012
As the recession continues, sustainable development will suffer. It's up to business and local governments to advance the agenda.
Why businesses shouldn't ignore Rio+20
By Lindsay Clinton, May 23, 2012
It's not in business' best interest to ignore the upcoming Rio+20 Earth Summit, especially since the scales of power are tipping to the point where nation states have less and companies...
Why city mayors are a sustainability director's new best friends
By Mohammed Al-Shawaf, May 07, 2012
There are three reasons why mayors -- who have both real power and real accountability -- should be at the top of the list of partners for companies driving sustainable growth.
Using videos to win more engagement on sustainability
By Kyle Whitaker, April 18, 2012
Companies can strengthen their sustainability efforts using one simple tool: video.
The 7 keys to sustainable cities
By Chris Guenther, March 13, 2012
Sustainability needs cities as much as cities need sustainability. What will it take to unleash their potential and what role can business play?
Why green-minded firms should think like oil companies
By Jeff Erikson, March 01, 2012
Ever consider that sustainability and oil exploration and production share some common strategies? Understanding what they are can improve your company's chance of success.
How Companies Can Meet the New Demand for Fair Play
By Mark Lee, January 24, 2012
At a time when much of the world's population is demanding fair play, fair treatment and responsible capitalism, what might corporations do to demonstrate as much support and enthusiasm for...
How & Why to Make the Shift from Dialogue to Collaboration with NGOs
By Jeff Erikson, January 10, 2012
In recent years, companies' partnerships with their many stakeholders -- particularly nonprofit groups -- have gone from a model of 'thoughtful consideration' to active partnerships....
Moving from Mindless Consumption to 'We First'
By Mark Lee, December 19, 2011
Simon Mainwaring, the former advertising exec, is looking to move past cause marketing to something called 'contributory consumption.'
Why Getting Out of Your Comfort Zone is the Way to Make Change Happen
By Michael Sadowski, December 05, 2011
As companies step up their efforts to crack the business opportunities from sustainability, it's becoming clear that the only path to success is to go beyond familiar territory and do more to...
Can We Really Make Sustainable Consumption Work?
By Jeff Erikson, November 16, 2011
We've always looked at the problem of sustainable consumption as needing to convince individuals to buy less. But the real challenge may be in convincing companies to sell less -- and to make what...

Changing Tack

For over two decades SustainAbility has helped global companies transform their performance and their business models, both to accelerate society's shift to sustainability and to derive long-term value from it. For more information see www.SustainAbility.com

Changing Tack Contributors

Mark Lee is the executive director of SustainAbility.

Mark has 15+ years experience in key leadership positions in the sustainability field. Mark possesses expertise in sustainability strategy and implementation as well as the systems, governance, public policy, accountability and stakeholder engagement aspects of this agenda, plus extensive knowledge of climate change, economic development, value chains, and the linkages between sustainability and branding.

Jeff Erikson is a senior vice president in SustainAbility's office in Washington, D.C.

Jeff leads SustainAbility's work in the energy sector and has expertise and experience working with numerous industries, including electric utilities, oil & gas, automotive, chemicals, ICT, retail, food and healthcare.

Chris Guenther is a senior associate consultant for SustainAbility and a member of its think tank team. He is based in Portland and linked to SustainAbility's San Francisco office.