Mining the Mind

In our work, we constantly generate new knowledge and insights about sustainable development. Below, we share articles based on our work and research introducing new ways of thinking. We imagine what a sustainable society can look like, as well as publish tools and guides to help us get there.

All material is free to share and open source under Creative Commons (CC-BY-SA).

Highlights

ESG vs Sustainability

The Difference Between Thriving and Just Surviving

Jan 2025

Sustainability Strategy vs. ESG Strategy

Over the past decade, ESG has become a buzzword in the corporate world. Companies proudly release annual ESG reports, investors rely on ESG ratings, and regulatory bodies are tightening requiremen…

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Utopia splash

Failure and success in sustainable city design

Jan 2024

Learning from failed Utopia

Sustainable city design is gaining more attention as the world looks for answers to humanity's challenges on Earth. However, history shows that the pursuit of utopia often ends in failure.

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ESG

An overview of ESG's major landscape shifts

Dec 2023

The ongoing earthquakes in ESG-Land

In the corporate sphere, Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) standards are undergoing transformative changes, reshaping how businesses operate and report globally. These shifts, long overd…

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Moving beyond impact investing toward a systemic approach

Mar 2022

The Rise of Systemic Investments

To realize a sustainable society, we need to address our bruised environmental and economic systems in their entirety. For that to happen, vast and profound systemic changes must take place. Impac…

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New insights into climate change

Unexpected predictions from the military and insurance industry on the effects of climate change

Jan 2022

New climate insight revealed

We continue to face unprecedented droughts, wildfires, and flooding. All the while, our leaders and media pundits continue to spout contradictions that reinforce confusion. It isn't easy to k…

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Tuning in to the construction sector’s “music of tomorrow”

Feb 2019

Catalytic Buildings White Paper

Catalytic Buildings are next-generation high-performance buildings that boost the economic, social, and physical sustainability of entire urban areas. Going beyond energy neutrality, a Catalytic B…

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How a systems approach catalyzes small interventions into global impact

Oct 2016

How the IKEA Catalogue Changed the World of Print

In 2017, the IKEA catalog produced over 200-million-copies each year. At the time, it was the world's most printed book. Recognizing this impact, IKEA worked to reduce the negative impact of …

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Sustainability innovation framework

May 2009

Symbiosis in Development (SiD)

Symbiosis in Development (SiD) is a systemic sustainability framework, developed by Except since 1999 with the help of dozens of experts in the field. It's a powerful, agile, and proven frame…

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How to accelerate natural value systems

Jan 2018

Natural Capital & new innovation strategies

The land where we grow our food on, the water that flows through it, and our vast oceans are the birthplace of all life on earth. These landscapes and all animal and plant life it encapsulates rep…

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Articles archive

Built & Natural Environment Organizations & Industry Training & Knowledge
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A natural yet unobvious symbiosis

Dec 2020

Exploring Sustainability and Cybersecurity

This year’s Doomsday Clock, a metaphor of how close humanity is to doom developed by the Bulletin of Atomic Scientists, shows that catastrophe is creeping ever-close. The 1…
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Dec 2020

Exploring Sustainability and Cybersecurity

This year’s Doomsday Clock, a metaphor of how close humanity is to doom developed by t…
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The comparison is complex and context-dependent

Oct 2020

Is digital more environmentally friendly than paper?

“Go paperless, save trees”. Is that really the case? According to this popular motto, documents in digital versions are environmentally sounder than their old-school, paper c…
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Oct 2020

Is digital more environmentally friendly than paper?

“Go paperless, save trees”. Is that really the case? According to this popular motto, …
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...or, why you should put lemons in your beer

Oct 2020

What innovations-gone-wrong can teach us about sustainability

What links an abandoned housing complex and a green beer bottle? An innovation that instead of bringing positive results — may it be a heightened standard of living, environm…
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Oct 2020

What innovations-gone-wrong can teach us about sustainability

What links an abandoned housing complex and a green beer bottle? An innovation that in…
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A holistic and powerful categorization system

Dec 2019

Symbiosis in Development: ELSI

ELSI is a systems categorization tool that helps users get the deep insight needed for integrated analysis, solution finding, and genuinely sustainable development. It is an …
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Dec 2019

Symbiosis in Development: ELSI

ELSI is a systems categorization tool that helps users get the deep insight needed for…
SiD Book

Systemic Sustainability and Innovation framework

Nov 2019

Symbiosis in Development (SiD)

Symbiosis in Development (SiD) is a comprehensive systemic sustainability framework, specialized in solving complex challenges. Developed by Except since 1999 with input from…
SiD Book

Nov 2019

Symbiosis in Development (SiD)

Symbiosis in Development (SiD) is a comprehensive systemic sustainability framework, s…
World_Bee_Day_W_Jon

Celebrate World Bee Day 2019 with Except Biotechnologist Jon Woning

May 2019

Keeping Our Bees

Today, following the recent UN report outlining the devastating degradation of our planet’s natural biodiversity, is World Bee Day. To celebrate these magnificent creatures w…
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May 2019

Keeping Our Bees

Today, following the recent UN report outlining the devastating degradation of our pla…
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