RE
What is meant by "net zero" target by 2050:
"net zero emissions by 2050" - achieving a balance between the amount of greenhouse gas emissions produced and the amount removed from the atmosphere. Achieve optimal balance.
Explain, and list the current global risks (2023) and today's crisis.
(1- 2 years) - Cost of living crisis - Natural disasters and extreme weather events - Geo economic confrontation - Failure to mitigate climate change - Erosion of social cohesion and societal polarization - Large-Scale environmental damage incidents-failure of climate change adaption - Widespread cyper crime and cyber insecurity-natural resource crisis-Large-Scale involintary migration
Elaborate on each step in the ABCD Process: Awareness & Visioning; Baseline Mapping; Creative Solutions; Decide on Priorities
ABCD FRAMEWORK: A = Common understanding of sustainability and identifies a "whole-systems" context for the organisation. Creating a vision for the organisation, so that people are encouraged to set ambitious goals which may require radical changes.
Baseline Mapping;
B = This step is for conducting a "gap analysis" of the major flows and impacts of the organisation to see how activities are running counter to sustainability principles. Analysis include: (1) Evaluation of products and services, energy, capital and human resources from "cradle to cradle": Allows the organisation to identify critical sustainability issues.
Explain what the term "backcasting" means and put it in context
Backcasting prevents people from developing strategies that just solve the problems of TODAY. Instead, they begin with the end in mind, moving towards a shared vision of sustainability, with each action providing a platform for future improvement.
Mention the main barriers to transform the supply chain & decarbonize, and how to address them.
Barriers: Resource constraints · The goal for companies often is profit · "major upfront investment costs," · "lack of awareness," · "lack of expertise,"· "resistant mindset." · "lack of support from supply chain partners" · "uncertainty in return on investment." Address "major upfront investment costs" : · Budget wisely · Follow an asset-light business model · Start with low-hanging fruit projects Address Lack of awareness: · Educate and communicate with the concerned stakeholders using a variety of means (ex. Meetings, social media) · Start with low-hanging fruit projectsAddress lack of expertise: · Engage external expert consultants · Hire people with the right expertise in sustainability · Get assistance from experienced clients · Learning from research publications · Learning by doing · Learn from those who have done similar projects Address resistant mindset:· Select like-minded business partners · Educate and communicate with the concerned stakeholders using a variety of means · Carrot and stick approach · Change people and shuffle people internally · Start with low-handing fruit projects We find that most first movers achieved positive economic performance associated with their carbon neutrality initiatives. Based on the findings and the literature, we develop a framework and discuss practical implications for governments and businesses to jointly overcome barriers to supply chain decarbonization.
Creative Solutions;
C = In this step, employees are asked to brainstorm potential solutions to the issues highlighted in the baseline analysis. Here, the organisation is backcasting.
Social Entrepreneurship has long been recognized for its ability to:
Challenge the status quo and navigate interactions with markets, institutions and governments to make the world a better place.
What is so special about the Holocene?
Compared to paleo-climatic records of extreme variations in temperature, sea level and other indicators of environmental change, over the last 100,000 years, the Holocene (the last 10,000 years) was a period of unprecedented climatic stability.
Describe the scope 1 emissions
Covers the Green House gas (GHG) emissions that a company makes directly
What is the Holocene?
Current Geological epoch. Holocene has been contributing to alot of humanity, such as tech and medicine developments. However, the human acitivity has pushed the earth to where it is today. Holocene however is our stable stater, in comparison to us entering into the Anthropocene epoch.
Decide on Priorities;
D = After identifying the opportunities and potential solutions in step C, the group prioritize the measures that move the organisation toward sustainability fastest. Step-by-step implementations. Backcasting is used to continually assess decisions and actions to see if the group is moving toward the decided outcome identified in step "A".
Show that you understand the EARTH OVERSHOOT DAY, the ECOLOGICAL FOOTPRINT CONCEPT and appropriate suggestions to reduce it for nations.
Earth overshoot day: Earth Overshoot Day marks the date when humanity's demand for ecological resources and services in a given year exceeds what Earth can regenerate in that year. We maintain this deficit by liquidating stocks of ecological resources and accumulating waste, primarily carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Earth Overshoot Day is hosted and calculated by Global Footprint Network, an international research organization that provides decision-makers with a menu of tools to help the human economy operate within Earth's ecological limits.To determine the date of Earth Overshoot Day for each year, Global Footprint Network calculates the number of days of that year that Earth's biocapacity suffices to provide for humanity's Ecological Footprint. The remainder of the year corresponds to global overshoot. Earth Overshoot Day is computed by dividing the planet's biocapacity (the amount of ecological resources Earth is able to generate that year), by humanity's Ecological Footprint (humanity's demand for that year), and multiplying by 365, the number of days in a year:(Earth's Biocapacity / Humanity's Ecological Footprint) x 365 = Earth Overshoot DayEcological footprint:The simplest way to define ecological footprint would be to call it the impact of human activities measured in terms of the area of biologically productive land and water required to produce the goods consumed and to assimilate the wastes generated.The Ecological Footprint measures how fast we consume resources and generate waste compared to how fast nature can absorb our waste and generate resources.The Ecological Footprint is the only metric that measures how much nature we have and how much nature we use. The Footprint helps:· Countries improve sustainability and well-being· Local leaders optimize public project investments· Individuals understand their impact on the planet
What is the role and impact of Social Entrepreneurs?
Economic intelligence -always see things in a different way Socially motivated -people and their fundamental needs are at the center of the stage courage -they can make very difficult decisions, overcoming apparently insurmountable problems quicka and alternative thinking -they have the capability to quickly foresee new business opportunities and to create new ways of doing things
What is the role of the community aiming to achieve the SDGs?
Entrepreneurial activities require engagement with communities to create an impact. Businesses and political leaders need the support and engagement of communities to unleash the societal impact creation of entrepreneurship. Important to engage the communities to scale up the social impact.
SO HOW DO I SHIFT TO A GREENER ENVIRONMENTAL FOOTPRINT?
First, estimate your value chain emissions: Measuring scope 3 emissions is not an exact science. So starting out you will need to make some educated guesses; by leaning on industry averages for instance, and combining them with your own data to reach an approximate figure. Remember, it's better to make a reasonable estimate and move onto eradicating them, than focus too much on total accuracy and never take any steps at all.Prioritize where your efforts go first: Map your emissions footprint by scale, and how much control you have over the source. Make the emissions hotspots within easy reach of your first ports of call. This may relate to reconsidering the suppliers you choose to work with, or partnering with them to decarbonise.Decide who is going to be responsible for Scope emissions: Almost all company spending results in an impact on their GHG footprint. Therefore, your company's leadership team will have a vital role in getting a decarbonisation agenda rolling internally, and they should be at the forefront of decisions concerning your value chain.Collaborate with others: suppliers and competitors alike. Working with like-minded companies will help create broader change and ease the process. Let your supply chain know what you're trying to achieve, and keep an eye out for ways you could improve it yourself (is there a new supplier on the block offering a better way of working?). Given a large proportion of emissions come from your supply chain, this last step about collaboration is essential. Reducing supply chain emissions may result in your suppliers using renewable energy, providing distribution in electric vehicles, or supplying different materials to support redesigned products. Similarly, you may need to support your customer base in using a lower-carbon product, or disposing of your product in a different way
Describe what the scope 2 emissions are
GHG indirectly (heating and cooling of buildings)
How does GVV compares with other approaches to business ethics
GVV emphasizes acting on personal values instead of using the terms "ethics" or "morals." This distinction is important. The term "ethics" often implies a set of standards or rules that are externally generated and imposed upon members of a group The GVV approach is different from, but also complementary to, other ethical theories and pedagogies because of the emphasis on implementation (how). Traditional approaches to teaching ethics tend to emphasize the use of ethical theories, functional area ethical issues and decision-making models. GVV emphasis is on how to act once it is recognized that an ethical dilemma or opportunity is present.
What is GVV? Explain and put into context
GVV stands for "Giving Voice to Values". GVV is a cross-cultural approach to ethics because: - A short list of widely shared values exists in all cultures - These values are expressed in different ways - To different extents, circles of inclusion - Values can be prioritized in different ways Enterprises are responsible when it and its members take responsibility. • An action/skill-based approach to taking responsibility. • The connection between taking responsibility, leadership and innovation. • How to create environments that support "voice". • Giving Voice = Speaking about what matters to you, expressing values, listening, creating innovative environments in a timely fashion. • Developing communication and leadership skills based on your personal qualities and ideals.
What is the key point about the fact that we may have entered the Anthropocene and the main implication of the "3-6-9 world."
Human activities are pushing planetary development onto an undesired trajectory where humankind is now in the driving seat for navigating the future of humanity.
One cognitive bias that can cause unethical activity is the tangible / intangible bias. It can cause this because:
Humans tend to ignore events that are not apparent, concrete or within our sphere of experience
Discuss the IDGs and the importance of it, how to help increase some of the qualities at work
IDGs = inner development goals (17st) The inner development goals is a non-profit organization for inner development. We research, collect and communicate science based skills and qualities that help us to live purposeful, sustainable and productive lives. The IDGS framework is fundamental in the work to reach the SDGs. The IDGs will provide an essential framework of transformative skills for sustainable development, a field-kit (in co-creation now) on how to develop these necessary skills - open source and free for all to use. The current IDGs framework represents 5 dimensions and 23 skills and qualities which are especially crucial for leaders who address SDGs, but fundamentally for all of us! It is the greatest possible accelerator to reach the Sustainable Development Goals and create a prosperous future for all humanity. The IDGs framework consists of five dimensions organising 23 skills and qualities of human inner growth and development. The framework has been developed by a team of international researchers after an extensive outreach consultation involving more than a thousand people.
What are the IDG Goals? (inner development goals)
IDGs: B:T:R:C:A 1. Being - relationship to self 2. Thinking - cognitive skills 3. Relating - caring for others 4. Collaborating - social skills 5. Action - driving change
Explain the concept of Scope 1, 2 and 3 - types of emissions
In order to take action to reduce emissions, we need to understand and measure where they're sourced from in the first place.The three scopes are a way of categorizing the different kinds of emissions a company creates in its own operations and in its wider 'value chain' (its suppliers and customers). As the Greenhouse Gas Protocol itself puts it: "Developing a full [greenhouse gas] emissions inventory - incorporating Scope 1, Scope 2 and Scope 3 emissions - enables companies to understand their full value chain emissions and focus their efforts on the greatest reduction opportunities". Essentially, scope 1 and 2 are those emissions that are owned or controlled by a company, whereas scope 3 emissions are a consequence of the activities of the company but occur from sources not owned or controlled by it. Scope 1 emissions— This one covers the GreenHouse Gas (GHG) emissions that a company makes directly — for example while running its boilers and vehicles. Scope 2 emissions — These are the emissions it makes indirectly - like when the electricity or energy it buys for heating and cooling buildings, is being produced on its behalf. Scope 3 emissions — Now here's where it gets tricky. In this category go all the emissions associated, not with the company itself, but that the organization is indirectly responsible for, up and down its value chain. For example, from buying products from its suppliers, and from its products when customers use them. Emissions-wise, Scope 3 is approximately the biggest negative contribution.
Explain why it is relevant to implement circularity for achieving the SDGs:
In recent years, the circular economy has gained increasing prominence as a tool which presents solutions to some of the world's most pressing cross- cutting sustainable development challenges. By addressing root causes, the concept of a circular economy, an economy in which waste and pollution do not exist by design, products and materials are kept in use, and natural systems are regenerated provides much promise to accelerate implementation of the 2030 Agenda. The concept was also mentioned as a key solution in the Expert Group Meeting and in-depth review of SDG 12 on Sustainable Consumption and Production (SCP) during the 2018 High-Level Political Forum, including in the areas of SCP and climate change, ocean action, and food waste and loss. The circular economy holds particular promise for achieving multiple SDGs, including SDGs 6 on energy, 8 on economic growth, 11 on sustainable cities, 12 on sustainable consumption and production, 13 on climate change, 14 on oceans, and 15 on life on land
GVV is a cross-cultural approach to ethics because:
It assumes that a short list of widely shared virtues/values exists in all cultures and that they are expressed in different ways
What is the SME climate hub?
It is a global initiative that empowers small to medium sized companies to take sustainable actions and create resilient businesses for the future. 3 steps in the SME initiative: 1. See where you stand - calculate your impact 2. Publicity commit 3. Take action, Act, Report, get Recognized
GV is an action-based approach to ethics because:
It starts with the intent to act or say something and then reflects on and practices how to do that.
Definition: Planetary Boundaries?
Limits between which global systems must operate to prevent irreversible environmental change
Elaborate on the GVV pillar 2: Choice
One of the most commonly heard reasons for NOT acting on our values that people will give is that they will say "I didn't have a choice". Giving Voice To Values is all about recognizing, first of all, that we ALL make the choice to act or not to act on our values every day. The point is we HAVE made a choice. And we can learn from this past experience.If we reflect on the times when we have voiced our values, we can probably generate a list of the factors that made it easier for us to do so - the "enablers."Similarly, if we reflect on the times when we did NOT voice our values, we can generate a list of the types of things that made it more difficult for us - the "disablers."By identifying these "enablers" and "disablers", we can begin to think about them BEFORE we are in the actual high-pressure choice situation:• "enablers" example: a culture where open discussion is encouraged and where folks are not punished for raising questions.• " disable"example: we can pre-script a response that we might use if a friend asked us to cheat in an exam- something that made it clear that we still cared very much for them and were willing to help them to study in advance but aren't willing to be dishonest or cheat. By recognizing that we ourselves have made the "choice" to act or not to act on our values, it also makes it easier for us to recognize that capacity for choice in others - and, in that way, we'll feel more comfortable talking about our own values with them, when necessary.
Give examples of why we are pushing our country overshoot day - date backwards
Overconsumption. This leads to deforestation, water scarcity, soil erosion, reduced biodiversity and climate change. As our resource use has increased, Overshoot day has gradually shifted from December to July (since early 1970s)
Choose one planetary boundary that has been transgressed and describe how humanity has transgressed this PB. Be specific and list several causation factors (5lines).
Planetary Boundaries - It exists nine planetary boundaries that humans can either try to develop, or continue to cross which will lead/has led to severe environmental consequences, one of these are: Transgessed Freshwater Humans have, unfortunately, transgressed the PB of fresh water on planet earth. For instance, green water is crucial for living creatures on earth, whilst the green water is directly affected by humans pressures. We have profoundly changed the entire water cycle by many actions, including; (i) overfishing (ii) over abstraction (iii) climate damages enabling water deficits and water surpluses in different parts of the world (iiii) pollution which makes water un-useful for human kind in the area, along with several other damaging factors.
Understand the fundamentals of regenerative leadership and feminine needed values (this is quite similar to the IDGs) to help increase self care and care for all forms of life on Earth.
Regenerative leadership: Is a leadership approach with a holistic worldview, it is aiminbg to restore, preserve and enhance people, society and environment. Feminine needed values: Is traits such as empathy, collaboration, inclusivity, intuition, and nurturing, which are often seen as important for building relationships, promoting well-being, and creating a more equitable and sustainable world.
What can we do to bend back towards Holocene and not enter the Anthropocene?
Resource collaborations is the best case scenario: We would be able to stop these events through actions taken by all countries and human kind. Stop using fossil fuels, and save the worlds resources at all costs. The model suggests a balance between: - Capital, intellectual property and technological innovations flow freely across borders. - Multilateral and market-led initiatives unlocking financial mechanisms and innovation to support climate-proofing against future disasters. - Shortages of food muted by flexible supply chains. - Downside impacts are primarily focused on resources that face barriers to trading or scaling: water and critical minerals. - Regenerative systems. - Collaboration and cooperation
SDGs: how can they be used as a framework to help accelerate a sustainability transition (be aware of the doughnut framework where the SDGs are included in the planetary boundaries).
SDGs are 17 goals established to address global challenges sucha as poverty, climate change and equality. used to accelerate sustainability transition by providing a common language and shared vision for action across different sectors and regions the doughnut framework offers a holistic approach to sustainability that consider both social and ecological factors
Mention and explain the possible solution for more sustainable practices called the SMART framework:
SMART = Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, Timebound A framework used to set clear, attainable goals in the project management.
How does social entrepreneurship is key in achieving the SDGs?
Social enterprises:Organizations, driven primarily by a social purpose, that commercially trade to fulfill their mission such that the majority of the profit goes towards the fulfillment of the social goals rather than profit maximization for the organization or its shareholders
Explain the 1.5 degree increase versus 4 degree increase scenario
The 1.5 degree increase scenario refers to the target outlined in the Paris. Agreement to limit global warming to no more than 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels. It is our goal to continue living as we have a 4 degree increase scenario refers to a world where the average temperature has risen by 4 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels. This scenario would have devastating impacts on the planet, including more frequent and severe heatwaves, droughts, floods, storms, and sea level rise, leading to food and water scarcity, displacement, and social instability.
Explain the Earth Overshoot Day
The Earth Overshoot Day; The approximate date on which humanity's annual demand on the planet's resources exceeds what our planet can renew in a year.
Elaborate on the "planetary boundaries" and give some illustrations of how human activity affecting them.
The Planetary boundaries concept presents a set of 9 planetary boundaries within which humanity can continue to develop and thrive for generations to come. Crossing these boundaries increases the risk of generating large-scale abrupt or irreversible environmental changes. Some of the planetary boundaries are: Land use, Fresh water, Ozone depletion, Biochemical, Biodiversity, Climate change, Ocean Acidification, Athmospheric aerosols, Novel entities.
Mention what Kate Raworth said in teh Oxfam report about the model she created:
The doughnut model: "The doughnut framework offers a vision of what it means for humanity to thrive in the 21st century" (Raworth, K.)
Explain why there are interconnections between the health of Planet Earth and the erosion of societal cohesion (humans' lives, health, economies, peace and conflict, safety, etc)
The health of Planet Earth and societal cohesion are intricately connected. Environmental degradation and climate change can lead to the erosion of human health, economies, and social stability, exacerbating existing inequalities and conflicts. Conversely, investing in sustainable practices and protecting the environment can contribute to a healthier and more equitable society, promoting peace and stability for all. For example, if us humans destroy the ozone layer, more people get cancer.
Social enterprises may generate positive social and environmental impacts throughout their value chains and through stages, mention all 5 stages:
The input stage, operations, products, profits, programmes
Potential difficulties and barriers to social entrepreneurship
The main barriers to the development of social enterprises are the non-existence of the social entrepreneurship act - the organizations are primarily business corporations, insufficient determination of whether the business is an integration social enterprise and what criteria should be fulfilled.
related to the doughnut framework: Explain the social foundation & the ecological ceiling
The social foundation visualizes the doughnut's inner boundary, below which lies critical human deprivation, while the ecological ceiling demarks its outer boundary, beyond which lies critical planetary degradation in terms of stress on major earth system processes.
How would a society based on the doughnut framework likely look like?
The society would likely prioritize social and environmental sustainability over economic growth, respects planetary boundaries and ensures basic human needs are met. Such a society would embrace circular and sharing economies, prioritize public goods, and support equitable access to resources and opportunities for all people while respecting the boundaries of the planet's natural systems. In summary, it would be a society that works for both people and the planet, ensuring a sustainable and just future for all. (STGs 17 GOALS)
Explain the "Tragedy of the Common", understand the concept and give examples:
The tragedy of the commons refers to a situation in which individuals with access to a public resource (also called a common) act in their own interest and, in doing so, ultimately deplete the resource. This theory explains individuals' tendency to make decisions based on their personal needs, regardless of the negative impact it may have on others. In some cases, an individual's belief that others won't act in the best interest of the group can lead them to justify selfish behavior. Potential overuse of a common-pool resource—hybrid between a public and private good— can also influence individuals to act with their short-term interest in mind, resulting in the use of an unsustainable product and disregard the harm it could cause to the environment or general public. Examples: · Fast fashion (product surplus, purchasing new) · Overfishing · Traffic congestion (everyone wants to take the fastest way to work) · Coffee Consumption (habitat loss endangering 60% of the plants species)
What are the worlds "tipping points"?
These are thresholds from where the planet´s systems go beyond the point of no return: Arctic sea ice (Reduction in area) Coral reefs (large scale die-offs) Atlantic circukation (In slowdown since 1950s) amazon rainforests (frequent droughts) Boreal forests (fires and pests changing) Permafrost (Thawing)
Explain the three layers of the Economy Doughnut Framework
Three Layers: Inner: Social foundation Outer: Ecological ceiling Middle: Safe space (balance)
What aspect do most social enterprises prioritize:
To have a social, environmental or ethical mission and to prioritize it over profit-making.
Explain Value Chain Transformation and give ideas:
Transforming value chains can lead to a decreased environmental impact and requires integrating other principles. Ideas can be to rethink processes in close loops, to redesign products and components, to create biodegradable packaging, to rethink ownership versus licensing them
What is the Climate transition plan
Unilever has three principal targets that guide their actions: to reduce in absolute terms their operational (Scope 1 & 2) emissions by 70% by 2025 against a 2015 baseline; to reduce in absolute terms their operational emissions (Scope 1 & 2) by 100% by 2030 against a 2015 baseline; and to achieve net zero emissions covering Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions by 2039
What are the 7 pillars of GVV?
Values Choice Normalization Purpose Self Knowledge & Alignment Reasons & Rationalizations Voice
Describe what the scope 3 emissions are
What the company is responsible for, up / down the value chain. All the way from when they buy products from suppliers to how their consumers use and dispose them.
Elaborate on the GVV pillar 1: Values
When the subject of values is raised, we will often hear two conflicting responses:• Values are entirely relative. It depends on your family, your religion, your culture, your politics, etc. There is no clear right or wrong because everyone sees the issues differently.• Of course, there are clear values and I know what they are, and it really doesn't matter what you say or think. (The entirely absolutist perspective)Both of these positions (the entirely relativistic and the entirely absolutist perspective) make it difficult to have a real, meaningful and constructive conversation about how to enact values in our careers and our wider lives.The First Pillar of GVV acknowledges that while cultural, political and religious differences do exist, research suggests that there still are a set of widely shared, universal hyper-norms: values that seem to be espoused by most people, across time and culture. This is good news! A conversation about values is POSSIBLE• Because we all share common ground. This list of universal values is a really, really short list. things like honesty, respect, fairness, compassion - and therefore we should not assume too much commonality.When we encounter a values conflict, first ask if it rises to the level of one of these core values to make sure that the conflict is not just a matter of personal style or preference or comfort, but rather that a true ethical principle is at stake.• If the challenge DOES raise a core value, we can frame our approach to appeal to the core values that most others are likely to shareRather than framing a business ethics issue in terms that are likely to only be meaningful to ourselves, or to those who share our particular cultural or industry norms, we can talk, for example, about the potential impacts of the decision on others: customers, employees, the community, and in this way implicitly appeal to shared values.
What is the Anthropocene?
a new geological epoch we are entering the difference is that now humans are the reason for climate change. Might be called the later part of the holocene, but overall, the high impact that humans now have on the environment.
From the GV perspective a rationalization is:
a reason that silences a core value
Mention some of the worst supply chains that negatively effects the environment:
food construction fashion fast-moving consumer goods electronics automotive professional services freight
old risk and new risk according to WEF global risk report (mention 3 of each)
old: -inflation, cost of living, war including nuclear warfare new: -unstable level of debt, low growth, decline in human development
Potential different future scenarios for the world - what can be expected for 2030.
- Failure to mitigate climate change -Natural disasters and extreme weather events - Biodiversity loss and ecosystem collapse - Involuntary migration - Natural resources crisis (food water etc) - Increased cyber crime and cyber insecurity - Increased control from EU / the government
What are some of the roles of the community in social entrepreneurship:
1. Help communities to achieve goals where previously needs were unmet or unrealized. 2. Support and engagement of communities to unleash the societal impact 3. Creation power of entrepreneurship involve the communities to eventually scale up the social impact
Mention some efficient criterias to plan a Carbon Reduction strategy?
1. Identify areas of improvements on which you have direct control and which can lead to high % of carbon reduction 2. Measure current impacts for your activities 3. Measure potential CO2 benefits and economic costs of activities you have identified 4. Plan the carbon reduction
Give 4 examples of (potential) societal transformation to affect the doughnut positively
1. Transitioning to renewable energy sources 2. Adopting circular economy 3. Promoting sustainable agriculture 4. Encouraging ethical consumerism
What should be prioritize to decarbonize our economies
3 priorities: · Technologies that boost sustainability also boost competitiveness · Work with partners to tackle supply chain emission · Smart policies to speed up deployment of green tech
What do the figures "3-6-9" mean?
3° Celsius warming this century - the 6th mass extinction of species - A world of 9 billion people by 2050
Explain Linear - versus Circular Economies
A circular economy is fundamentally different from a linear economy. Linear economy: We mine raw materials that we process into a product that is thrown away after use. A linear economy traditionally follows the "take-make-dispose" step-by-step plan. This means that raw materials are collected, then transformed into products that are used until they are finally discarded as waste. Value is created in this economic system by producing and selling as many products as possible. Circular Economy: The perspective on sustainability is different in a circular economy than in a linear economy. When working on sustainability within a linear economy, the focus is on eco-efficiency, which means we try to minimise the ecological impact to get the same output. This will extend the period in which the system becomes overloaded (Di Maio, Rem, Baldï, and Polder, 2017). In a circular economy, we close the cycles of all these raw materials. Closing these cycles requires much more than just recycling. It changes the way in which value is created and preserved, how production is made more sustainable and which business models are used. What else is there in a circular economy? A circular economy follows the 3R approach: reduce, reuse and recycle. Resource use is minimized (reduced). Reuse of products and parts is maximized (reuse). And last but not least, raw materials are reused (recycled) to a high standard. This can be done by using goods with more people, such as shared cars. Products can also be converted into services, such as Spotify sells listening licenses instead of CDs. In this system, value is created by focusing on value preservation.Within a circular economy, sustainability is sought in increasing the eco-effectiveness of the system. This means that not only the ecological impact is minimized, but that the ecological, economic and social impact is even positive (Kjaer, Pigosso et al., 2019). When we focus on eco-effectivity to create a positive impact, we strengthen the ecological, economical and societal systems by using them.
