Above is the latest version of my system map, done in KUMU.IO.
This 15-minute video sets out a strategy for Sweden to go full circular economy – at a high level. It identifies challenges with major industry groups, along with strategies to meet the challenges and finishes with a checklist that can be applied to all infrastructure. Maybe I am making it too simple, or is it that it is hard to get a full picture?
You are probably further along towards the circular economy than you know. Let your accounting give you a better picture with these simple steps outlined in the flip book below.
This E-book, produced from earlier writings, attempts to explain how Real
Capital – a cornerstone of the means of production – gets depleted by the
current system. Rather the creating a platform for future prosperity, the
system is removing the very things that coming generations need to be able
to provide for themselves.
The hope is that this short paper will clarify for policy makers where systemic
changes need to be made, and where the changes need to be put in place
to drive an industry-led transition to the circular economy.
Download the report here.
Circular economy thinking, taking hold among policy makers, civil servants and scientists alike could be the answer to reducing material load, de fossilising and creating green jobs. Doughnut economic frames a reasonable operating space for this new economy. This article explores the possibilities to create metrics for the circular economy doughnut at a national or regional level.
Circular economy thinking is taking hold among policy makers, civil servants and scientists alike. For example, the Swedish Government formed its own Circular Economy Delegation last year and recently announced its national strategy for the Circular Economy. Facing reduced material availability and rapidly reducing use of fossil fuels to align with the Paris accord, Sweden hopes that its production system will continue to deliver and indeed grow economically, but with far less material and fossil energy intensity.
A reasonable operating space for the circular economy has been developed by economist Kate Raworth in the Doughnut Economy. The Doughnut model proposes a social floor below which the economic system shall not let citizens fall, and an ecological ceiling, through which social activities shall not exceed. This article explores the possibilities to create metrics for the circular economy doughnut at a national or regional level.
Sweden, like many countries, is pursuing the circular economy as a path to decarbonization, to the bio-economy and to ensure their economy has enough material resources. Apart from the climate emergency, pressure from population increases and rising standards are about to create inevitable material shortages. Still developing, the idea of circular economy begs us to envision a circular home, a circular neighbourhood and circular municipality. This article explores what a circular economy neighbourhood might look like, and how a cooperative model might help accelerate the transition in Sweden. The ideas may, of course, apply to other countries.
Continue reading “The circular economy neighbourhood”Pivot Projects is a global project set up to bring actionable insights to COP26. Working with some colleagues from Pivot Projects we asked ourselves what the smallest unit could be of individuals working from the bottom up to bring societal functioning inside the doughnut framework.
Continue reading “146 clubs use neighbour power to force businesses to be planet friendly”
A circular economy is vastly different from a linear economy. When it comes to the resources that drive the economy, a linear economy is extractive whereas the circular economy is regenerative of its material sources. The current linear way we run our economy is using resources up at an ever-expanding rate. Before resource shortages overturn the economy we need to transition to the circular use of materials. But how do we get to the circular model? This article takes a high-level systems analysis approach to explore possible pathways, and hones in on the role of local authorities.
Continue reading “Regional authorities role in the circular economy”As circular economy thinking takes hold among policy makers, civil servants and scientists, policy is tending towards circular as a strategy to reach environmental objectives. Hopes are that production systems will continue to deliver and indeed grow economically, but with far less material and fossil energy intensity. The Swedish Government formed its own Circular Economy Delegation last year and recently announced its national strategy for the Circular Economy and 100 measures to transition to circularity.
Policy needs to align, but this raises questions. The economy is a complex adaptive system, and any intervention may cause the opposite of the intended effects. This article explores my own very personal reflections based on earlier work together with my recent work with the local university.
Continue reading “Regional policy implications of the circular economy”
Stephen Hinton Consulting 