recommended Reading

"Behavior is the dominant component of social constructs, so to effect true societal culture change for the health of future generations, a new paradigm of organizational behavior has to be developed and embedded into their culture." 

Maya Jaber. 

This report reviews some findings and gives a brief overview of the Integral Design Thinking Framework as well as the creative thinking designed tools to aid professionals of change and sustainability management 

iafor - The European Conference on Sustainability, Energy & the Environment 2016 Official Conference Proceedings. This paper examines New York City’s sustainable policies, governed by two mayors, in hopes to make NYC “the most sustainable, resilient city in the world”1 Current research shows that policy is the driving force motivating organizations to create leadership positions that lead to sustainability actions. 

"...world faces greater environmental, social and governance challenges  than ever before and a growing number of organisations are establishing  sustainability functions, strategies and plans in an effort to address  these complex issues. However, limited research exists on the critical  behavioural competencies required to maximise leadership impact on  sustainability initiatives. With the stakes so high and the task so  complex, this empirical study identifies key behavioural competencies..."

" A theory of change is a description of a social change initiative that shows how early changes relate to more intermediate changes and then to longer-term change. It can form the basis of strategic planning and, as a blueprint for the work ahead and its likely effects, it can be used for management and decision making as a project or programme develops and progresses. "  By Jean Ellis, Diana Parkinson and Avan Wadia for Charities Evaluation Services February 2011  

"... Changing individual behavior is central sustainable futureto achieving a  sustainablefuture. Accordingly, psychology is of considerable relevance  to the delivery ofeffective environmental programs. Desirable goals,  such as lowering greenhousegas emissions, reducing waste, and increasing  energy and water efficiency can bemet only if high levels of public  participation are achieved..." Journal of Social Issues, Vol. 56, No. 3, 2000, pp. 543–554 

In August 19, 2019 the group Business Round Table released statement on the “Purpose of a Corporation” that was signed by over 200 CEO’s and represents a bold new step in finding a more just and equitable model. 

"The new Code sets high expectations of those investing money on behalf  of UK savers and pensioners. In particular, the new Code establishes a clear benchmark for stewardship as the responsible allocation,  management and oversight of capital to create long-term value for clients and beneficiaries leading to sustainable benefits for the economy, the environment, and society. "

HBR - "Culture is like the wind. It is invisible, yet its effect can be seen  and felt. When it is blowing in your direction, it makes for smooth  sailing. When it is blowing against you, everything is more difficult."

 "The Embodied Carbon in  Construction Calculator (EC3) tool, is a free and easy to use tool that  allows benchmarking, assessment and reductions in embodied carbon,  focused on the upfront supply chain emissions of construction materials."

 "Investors are increasingly evaluating companies based on specific  ESG-related criteria and the subset focused on “responsible investments”  continues to grow... ESG best practices are not just good for the planet and its inhabitants but are also good business."

"Embodied carbon refers to greenhouse gas emissions produced in a  structure’s life-cycle (manufacture, maintenance and decommissioning).  Emissions reduction strategies typically focus on operational emissions,  but efforts to address greenhouse gas emissions from buildings and  infrastructure are increasingly considering embodied carbon."

"New elevation data show that by midcentury frequent coastal flooding will rise higher than areas currently home to hundreds of millions of people"

Map of flood areas by 2050 -  Coastal Risk Screening Tool -  "Improved elevation data indicate far greater global threats from sea  level rise and coastal flooding than previously thought, and thus  greater benefits from reducing their causes."

"Explore - Search or navigate the interactive tools to see maps of areas  below different amounts of sea level rise and flooding, down to  neighborhood scale, matched with area timelines of risk. The tool also  provides statistics of population, homes and land affected by city,  county and state, plus links to factsheets, data downloads, action  plans, embeddable widgets, and more."

This report examines climate change in three sections: the mechanics of climate change; the impact of climate change; and the response to climate change. 

 Every year, the Gap Report looks at the expected size of the gap in 2030 and progress countries are making in closing it. It looks at different scenarios based on the pledges that countries made to reduce or minimize their emissions under the Paris Agreement on Climate Change. 

 The UN System SDG Implementation online database is the UN family’s repository of actions, initiatives, and plans on the implementation of the 2030 Agenda and the sustainable development goals (SDGs).  

The report provides an overview of the current and potential role of institutional investors, companies, banks, and foundations in the design and implementation of a financing strategy for global sustainability. 

The webtool is a free resource that helps calculate your business emissions. Add your business data and get a clear, actionable insight on your emissions. 

 "Design Thinking is a human-centered approach to innovation that  draws from the designer’s toolkit to integrate the needs of people, the  possibilities of technology, and the requirements for business success.” Tim Brown

In Thinkertoys, Michalko shares hundreds of thinking exercises (which he calls toys) to jog your creativity and help you solve problems, whether personal or business-related. 

 "A landmark study in the struggle to contain climate change, the  greatest challenge of our era. I urge everyone to read it."  Bill  Clinton, 42nd President of the United States of America   Climate change  differs from any other problem that, as collective humanity, we face  today.

For those seeking a clear, comprehensive, and accessible introduction to sustainable development. Susan Baker’s second edition of Sustainable Development covers all the important topics and debates from a truly global perspective. 

“Leadership is not about titles or the corner office. It’s about the willingness to step up, put yourself out there, and lean into courage. The world is desperate for braver leaders. It’s time for all of us to step up.” Brene Brown

Michalko challenges readers to identify their roadblocks to creativity and release them, take risks, learn to live in continuous movement, overcome adversity, and make even ordinary tasks into extraordinary examples of inspiration. 

Eaarth gives a clear vision of our current reality and the need to transform our behaviors for our future!

 "True intuitive expertise is learned from prolonged experience with good feedback on mistakes." Daniel Kahneman

 "This is a primer that brings you to a tangible world and shows you how  to develop systems thinking skills...  We need to see the whole system and understand how each piece  interacts. Thinking in Systems helps readers avoid confusion and  helplessness, which is a first step in finding solutions. "

"Culture is not something you are—it’s something you do. The Culture Code puts the power in your hands. No matter the size of the group or the goal, this book can teach you the principles of cultural chemistry that transform individuals into teams that can accomplish amazing things together." Daniel Coyle

"Donors, leaders of nonprofits, and public policy makers usually  have the best of intentions to serve society and improve social  conditions. But often their solutions fall far short of what they want  to accomplish and what is truly needed."

 "Although an increasing number of organisations have embraced the  idea of sustainability in the last decade, why do so many initiatives  fail, leading to wasted resources, frustration and cynicism? Why have so  few organizations successfully adopted more sustainable policies or  practices?" 

"Paul Marciano argues that engagement stems from respect. Employees don’t want to be treated like cogs in a chain. Instead, they want to feel empowered, have autonomy, receive supportive feedback, and be treated considerately." 

 "Most companies today have some commitment to corporate social  responsibility, but implementing these initiatives can be particularly challenging. While a lot has been written on ethical and strategic  factors, there is still a dearth of information on the practical nuts and bolts." 

"America is an urban nation, yet cities get a bad rap: they're dirty,  poor, unhealthy, environmentally unfriendly . . . or are they? In this  revelatory book, Edward Glaeser, a leading urban economist, declares  that cities are actually the healthiest, greenest, and richest (in both  cultural and economic terms) places to live."

 "Changing Business from the Inside Out provides a fascinating  roadmap to the corporate responsibility and sustainability field, from  beginning a career, to forming a program, to navigating the complicated  politics of a corporation."