Our most popular 20 stories from 2013 reveal something of a patchy year for sustainable business. Decades into the sustainability debate and sometimes it can still feel as if little changes, but there are plenty of reasons to be optimistic.
The first tranche of our top stories asks for new sustainability narratives and a move away from thinking that incremental changes have any hope of solving some of the huge challenges we face. There are calls to fundamentally change business - whether that means moving away from unsustainable mass tourism, embracing a new model of local supermarket or watching the progress of a coalition of business leaders aiming to drive systemic change.
What do you think of the first half of our top 20 stories? Are there lessons to be learned and reasons to be positive? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.
11. Sustainability movement will fail unless it creates a compelling future vision
Jo Confino wrote that we will only create prosperity within planetary boundaries if we start to really believe it is possible
12. 'Every little helps' is a dangerous mantra for climate change
Plastic bag charges may seem a step forward but nudging behaviours will never address climate change; a different system is needed wrote Adam Corner
13. Using copyright to keep repair manuals secret undermines circular economy
Electronics manufacturers are denying consumers access to repair manuals, and it's working against the environment
14. Oxfam report shows multinational companies failing on CSR goals
Oxfam's report detailed how corporate social responsibility programmes are not focusing on transparency and supply chain operations
15. Youth unemployment: what are the solutions?
Youth unemployment is one of the world's biggest challenges and must not be marked 'too difficult to solve'
16. The new ethical supermarket that wants Sainsbury's and Tesco's customers
The crowd-funded supermarket aiming to compete with retail giants. But, Flemmich Webb asked, will it only appeal to shoppers who can pay for principles?
17. Six reasons why mass tourism is unsustainable
Global tourism is destroying the environment and cultural identities - and doesn't make good business sense, argues Anna Pollock
18. Eco-spirituality: towards a values-based economic structure
Corporate visions of sustainability focus on material prosperity – but leaders must respect the soul as well as the soil
19. Richard Branson and Jochen Zeitz launch the B Team challenge
The Virgin chief and former Puma boss launched a global team of leaders aiming to create sustainable business models
20. Are children consuming too much digital technology?
The popularity of apps, social networking and gaming among young people could lead to childhood development problems
Get involved!
Let us know your favourite GSB content from 2013 - was there a piece that you feel has a strong message or gave you a fresh perspective? Did you find one article particularly useful professionally? We'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments below or tweet us @GuardianSustBiz.
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