Unsustainable Magazine is a reader-first publication. Our goal is to publish reporting and analysis that is accurate, fair, and useful — and to be transparent about what we know, what we don’t, and how we know it.
To learn more about the publication and its purpose, visit our About page.
Our Approach
We aim to cover sustainability, climate, society, justice, and related systems with care. We prioritise clarity over hype, evidence over ideology, and nuance over certainty.
We distinguish between reporting, analysis, and opinion through tone and framing. When a topic is contested, evolving, or uncertain, we say so.
Accuracy and Verification
We take reasonable steps to verify factual claims before publication. We prioritise primary and high-quality sources wherever possible, including:
- peer-reviewed research and reputable academic publications
- government or intergovernmental data and reports
- recognised NGOs and public-interest institutions with transparent methodologies
- first-hand documentation and credible subject-matter expertise
When we cite statistics, we aim to reference the original dataset or report (not just secondary summaries). We avoid presenting estimates as hard facts and we note assumptions where relevant.
Sourcing and Links
We use links to help readers check claims, explore context, and go deeper. A link is not, by itself, an endorsement of every statement on a linked page.
We avoid overstating claims and we do not knowingly publish false or misleading information. We take plagiarism seriously and expect proper attribution in all contributions.
Fairness and Harm Minimisation
We aim to treat people and communities with respect, especially where power imbalances exist. That includes:
- avoiding stereotypes and unnecessary sensationalism
- representing disagreement accurately and in good faith
- being cautious with claims that could cause undue harm if wrong
We strive to recognise bias — including our own — and to reduce it through editorial review.
Editing and Review
Our editorial process varies depending on the format (news, evergreen explainer, guest editorial), but we generally review for:
- clarity and structure
- factual accuracy and source quality
- appropriate context and proportionality
- distinguishing evidence from interpretation
Use of Artificial Intelligence
We are not opposed to the use of artificial intelligence as part of our editorial workflow. AI tools may be used to assist with research, outlining, drafting, editing, or summarisation.
However, AI does not replace human judgment at Unsustainable Magazine. All published content is reviewed, edited, and approved by a human editor, who remains fully responsible for accuracy, context, sourcing, and conclusions.
We do not publish fully automated content without human oversight. AI-generated material is treated as a tool-assisted draft, not an authoritative source, and is subject to the same editorial standards as any other contribution.
Where relevant, we prioritise transparency, clarity, and accountability over the method by which text was produced. Responsibility for published work always rests with the publication.
Corrections and Updates
We take accountability for mistakes or imprecision by correcting errors promptly and transparently. Where a correction changes meaning, we aim to document the change within the article so readers can understand what was updated and why.
If you believe you have found an error, please contact us with:
- the page URL
- the specific sentence or claim
- supporting evidence (preferred)
Conflicts of Interest and Partnerships
We protect editorial independence. Financial support does not determine conclusions, sources, or the substance of our reporting.
Some articles may contain paid links. We disclose this consistently for readers, and we vet partners for relevance and legitimacy. For details, see our Editorial & Partner Policy.
Accountability
Editorial responsibility sits with the publication. Our editor’s bio is available here: Brett Stadelmann.
How This Page Evolves
Editorial standards should improve over time. We review and update these practices as our publication grows, as reader expectations change, and as the information environment evolves.