University of Cambridge

• Conssumer demand for sustainably-produced goods and services
• the volatility of commodity prices
• The energy intensity (and resulting cost) of certian new technologies
• The trend for companies to consider the social and envrionmental dimensions of value chains,either for practical or reputational reasons

INFLUENCES

Political:

(Lack of)government support

(Lack of) national and international targets

Uneven environmental legislation

Employment rights

Economic:

Insitututionalised continous growth

Economic growth

Economic crises

Low cost producers

Reducing costs

Sociological:

Changing societal values

Cost as accepted selling factor

Corporate sociatal impact not yet fully recognised

Distrubution wealth

Growing population

Growing middle class 

Choice editing

Technological:

Facilitating  communication and supply chain management

Continuos differentiation and innovation

Lack of sustainablity /expertise/skill /vision

Internet/social media

EFFECTS

Environmental:

Issues related to resource use

Visible effects of climate change

Rebound effects

Issues forced by legislation 

Issues realted to sustainable production 

processes

Reducing biodiversiy

Depleting resource quantities

Sustainable supply chain issues and opportunities

Economic:

Growhs of niche/new markets

Increasing competion of low cost countries

To further reduce costs 

(labour, energy,waste)

Eco-efficient and effective technologies and innovations

Corporate leadership

Issues that weigh on costs

Corporate choice-editing

Leading technologies abroad not in Europe/UK

Supply (chain) risk

Social:

health

Distribution of wealth /equality

Security/safety

Quality of live

Possible moves away from environmental risk areas

Matters that enhance or protect corportate brand

A framework for an economy that is restorative and regenerative by design

What is a circular economy?

Looking beyond the current take-make-waste extractive industrial model, a circular economy aims to redefine growth, focusing on positive society-wide benefits. It entails gradually decoupling economic activity from the consumption of finite resources, and designing waste out of the system. Underpinned by a transition to renewable energy sources, the circular model builds economic, natural, and social capital. It is based on three principles:

• Design out waste and pollution
• Keep products and materials in use
• Regenerate natural systems
• Re-Thinking Progess explores how through a change in perspective we can re-design the way our economy works-designing products that can be made to made again and powering the system with renevwable energy. It questions whether with creativity and innovation we can build a restorative economy.