Competence
We employ systems thinking, fact-based research and strategic modelling combined with our (energy) systems knowledge and people skills.
Scope
Focus
We work on disturbed and disordered systems, typically far from equilibrium. In the last two years we have worked on climate disturbance by the aviation sector and by the energy-intensive industry specifically. We normally focus on a specific equilibrium disturbance for many years.
Systems and Higher Order
We approach equilibrium disturbance from a systems perspective and do not stop at first or second order solutions. We have learned that when trying to restore equilibria, you typically only find solutions when you consider multiple order effects. Very often the best solution is a system change rather than a series of straight-forward first-order adaptations.
Holistic
We develop strategies that cover the complete “picture” and all stakeholders, including practical steps to move forward tomorrow. We consider a system’s structure, function and relations, and do not work on partial solutions.
Desired Future(s)
We work based on the idea that if society has substantially disturbed an equilibrium, it can also work towards finding a new equilibrium. Hence, we believe scenario studies have limited value, and think “painting” desired futures and describing how to get there is more instructive and effective.
Method
Open-minded
We do not jump to conclusions, but have an open mind while researching issues at hand and when developing possible solutions, up until the end of an assignment - and beyond. In our work, solutions are never obvious and normally only present themselves far into the assignment.
Transparent, Fact-based & Reviewed
We base most of our work on publicly available resources, which we document carefully. We make our assumptions, calculations and analysis explicit, enabling others to evaluate what happens if they hold different assumptions. Moreover, this also allows others to review our work, which we strongly encourage.
Investigative Models
We cannot ‘predict’ the future, so we develop and use models to explore possible outcomes. We try to find extrema or limits within which outcomes are to be contained, so we have an estimate of the range in which expectation values are to be found.
Collective Efforts
All our work is an collective effort. We collaborate organically internally and work closely with our clients and external parties to harness expertise and insights from all involved - the whole is more than the sum of parts.
Process
Self-initiated & Collectively Funded
A large part of our consultancy work is initiated by ourselves, by bringing relevant parts of government, companies and NGO’s to the table. Often individual stakeholders do not have to possibility to take on a project and carry it out thoroughly. If all relevant parties join in, however, they can collectively fund and take part in an assignment which can result into something none of the individual parties can achieve.
Thorough
Coming up with truly effective strategies for e.g. climate-neutrality in the energy-intensive industry requires thorough research, cooperation with multiple parties, lots of thinking and discussion and finally significant effort to get the desired future and solutions to get there, accepted. We have found our efforts are most fruitful when they involve a comprehensive process, and therefore call for sufficient time.
Intrinsic Motivation
We look for people that are intrinsically motivated by our mission. When we bring together various intrinsically motivated people, often something inspirational happens and the door opens for accelerated change.
Output
Reports and Stories
We often do not only write a detailed report for experts in the field, but also write stories that translate these detailed reports into something a wider audience can read and engage with. These stories are shorter, simpler and non-technical, but do contain the main findings and take-aways - an executive summary, but for the general public.
Mind Images
We believe that when these stories spread in society (which normally takes several years), images of desired futures develop slowly in the minds of policy makers and civilians. Once these images are openly shared between a significant percentage of civilians, government, companies and NGO’s, a solid platform and strong momentum for transitions to these futures emerge.