Sustainable Growth Approaches

The Circular Strategies Scanner 🌎 This diagram, developed by the Technical University of Denmark (DTU) and its Nordic partners, provides a great framework for identifying practical strategies to embed circular economy principles across business operations. The Circular Strategies Scanner highlights three core action areas: recirculating parts and products, recirculating materials, and rethinking or reconfiguring business models. These categories cover the full lifecycle of products and materials, from raw material sourcing to end-of-life management. Key strategies for recirculating parts and products include repair, maintenance, reuse, refurbishment, remanufacturing, repurposing, and upgrades. These interventions aim to extend existing use cycles and maximize the value extracted from products. Material recirculation focuses on recycling (both chemical and physical), cascading uses across industries, recovery processes such as composting or energy recovery, and integrating secondary or renewable materials. This is critical for reducing dependence on virgin resources and minimizing waste. The model also emphasizes rethinking value creation. Business model strategies such as product-as-a-service, buy-back agreements, and sharing platforms are essential for shifting from linear consumption patterns to circular, access-oriented systems. Impact reduction is addressed through restorative sourcing, lean manufacturing, and efficient use-phase operations. Optimizing logistics, reducing idle capacity, and designing for longevity are also integral components of a robust circular approach. Importantly, the scanner provides a visual link between traditional linear processes and the opportunities to intercept waste and inefficiency at every stage. It underscores the importance of full decoupling of environmental impact from growth through systemic change. Circular economy success depends not only on individual strategies but on their integration across the value chain. This framework offers a strong foundation for companies and industries aiming to transition toward circularity in a structured and impactful way. Source: CIRCit - Circular Economy Integration in the Nordic Industry #sustainability #sustainable #business #esg #circulareconomy

How can mission-oriented public procurement advance Brazil's economic, inclusive and ecological transformation agenda? 🚨 New working paper with Eduardo Spanó and Sarah Doyle explores how strategic procurement can serve as a powerful instrument to advance Brazil's ambitious economic transformation. The paper summarises preliminary challenges and opportunities to leverage public procurement as a driver of sustainable and inclusive growth. It was presented in a workshop co-hosted by Professor Mazzucato and Brazil’s Minister of Management and Innovation, Esther Dweck, on July 23rd, which brought together senior government officials from 26 Brazilian ministries and public sector institutions to discuss opportunities for leveraging public procurement to support Brazil’s agenda of economic and ecological transformation. The working paper is now live on our website: https://lnkd.in/epCAZrdf Key preliminary insights of the working paper: (1) Public procurement accounts for an average of 12% of Brazil's GDP. This scale presents a unique opportunity to align procurement to advance Brazil's economic transformation goals. (2) While Brazil has a robust legal framework promoting innovation and sustainability, procurement practices remain dominated by efficiency and compliance due to historical corruption. A shift towards strategic, mission-oriented procurement is essential. (3) Mission-Oriented Approach emphasises public value over mere cost efficiency, requiring intentionality, adaptability, relational focus, and risk leadership. It involves creating new governance structures, aligning public-private collaboration with mission goals, and building capabilities for implementation. (4) Successful Brazilian cases like the National School Feeding Program and the Health Economic-Industrial Complex demonstrate the potential of strategic procurement to support local production and innovation. (5) To advance mission-oriented procurement, Brazil needs a new public value framework, improved governance for whole-of-government coordination, and a focus on dynamic capabilities and inter-ministerial collaboration.

🌍 Transforming Industry Through Green Public Procurement: Key Insights for Action! 🌱The recent Green Public Procurement (#GPP) Charter released by TERI - The Energy and Resources Institute focusses on the government as a major procurer of goods, services and works across the world, more so in the developing world. Global spending on #publicprocurement is estimated to be about USD 9.5 trillion, comprising about 12% of #GDP of #OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development) countries, and about 30% of developing countries. This paper also highlights the critical pathways for #industries to align with sustainable development goals in #India. Here are the major takeaways and necessary actions for businesses: 1) Embrace Sustainable Practices: With public procurement accounting for 20-22% of India's GDP, industries must integrate sustainability into their operations to meet emerging government standards and consumer expectations. 2) Leverage Policy Nudges: The GPP framework encourages industries to adopt eco-friendly products and services. Companies should proactively engage with these policies to enhance their market competitiveness. 3) Reduce Environmental Impact: Public procurement activities contribute to 15% of global greenhouse gas emissions. Industries can play a pivotal role by implementing practices that minimize their carbon footprint and promote resource efficiency. 4) Invest in Innovation: The shift towards GPP demands innovative solutions in product design and service delivery. Businesses should invest in R&D to develop sustainable alternatives that meet GPP criteria. 5) Collaborate with Stakeholders: Building partnerships with government agencies, NGOs, and other businesses is essential. Collaborative efforts can amplify the impact of sustainability initiatives and drive systemic change. 6) Educate and Train Employees: Equipping your workforce with knowledge about sustainable practices is crucial for effective implementation of GPP strategies. Industries have to comply with evolving regulations and also contribute significantly to a #greener economy, aligning with the vision of sustainable development in India. 💚 #GreenPublicProcurement #SustainableDevelopment #CircularEconomy #IndustryInnovation

Sustainability may be one of the most abused words of our time. Used so often and thoughtlessly, it no longer has any clear meaning.  Its inference of environmental and social progress allows it to be worn with honour in countless markets, annual reports, social media posts, and personal proclamations of ‘thought leadership’.  This deceit is often by design, but it is well past time for self-identified sustainability professionals to reclaim the word’s integrity.  What do the many commitments to "sustainability transformation" really mean? There are three distinct classes of sustainability transformation: 1️⃣ Less Unsustainability (Incrementalist). This is the easy stuff, adopting off-the-shelf frameworks (GRI, SDGs, etc.), and getting one’s environmental and social house in order. Don’t us the word sustainability here unless it is to explain why you can’t attain it. Until sustainability is achieved, organizations should be required to refer to their performance summaries as unsustainability reports, as in ‘here is our current state of unsustainability’. You don’t hold a parade for good housekeeping. In this zone you are not becoming ‘more sustainable’, but ‘less unsustainable’—a vital greenwashing distinction. Most transformations fall here (& fail here). 2️⃣ Sustainability Transformations (Context-Based). This is where we find the necessary but hard stuff, confronting the reality that reducing unsustainability will not lead to sustainability. A commitment to changing ways and operating within carrying capacities and thresholds of vital capitals. This is the home of Context-Based Sustainability, Multicapital Scorecards, the UN's Sustainable Development Performance Indicators, and Transition Engineering. Context-based frameworks help us to grasp where we are (current condition) set direction to where we need to be (target condition) informed by our improving contextual awareness.  3️⃣ More Sustainability. Having achieved consistency in operational performance within ecological thresholds and social foundations, the organization now commits to increasing our margins of survivability and thrivability. It is only here where the term ‘more sustainable’ can be used with any legitimacy. Operating as we are today, so far from sustainability, we must confront the scope and scale of the transformation challenge with honesty if we are to succeed. 👉Most transformation proclamations are non-compliant with the operational requirements for a sustainable future. We appear constrained by a worldview which sees superficial adjustments as equal to the task rather than a comforting illusion of progress. Conceptual inspiration: Thresholds of Transformation, Bill Baue and Ralph Thurm (UNRISD 2022) based on the pioneering work of Mark W. McElroy, PhD W. McElroy. PhD, Founding Director Emeritus, Center for Sustainable Organizations Full post with links & references here: https://lnkd.in/e7tX6EEg

Are we fixing symptoms or transforming systems? Most interventions target what's visible—policies, programmes, and quick fixes. But real, lasting change happens beneath the surface. A new Lancet commentary breaks down four levels of intervention, revealing why the deepest shifts—those in mindsets and structures—drive the most sustainable impact. The authors of this paper emphasise the need to move towards systemic, synergistic interventions Their visual, published in the Lancet this month, conceptualises 4 levels of interventions through systems thinking: 1.    Visible parameters of the system – which are surface level interventions 2.    Relationships between elements within the system – which are feedback interventions 3.    Structures determining the relationships and parameters – which are regulatory/legislative interventions 4.    Mindsets/values shaping the direction of the system – which are system/paradigm interventions The visual demonstrates that most of the system is below the surface, out of sight, and the deeper the determinants, the harder they are to see and intervene on. The authors make the point that the effect and sustainability of systemic and synergistic interventions is greater than that of surface interventions at population level. Source: Li, B., & Swinburn, B. (2025). Shifting the way we conceptualise, research and intervene childhood obesity in China and Southeast Asian countries. The Lancet Regional Health–Western Pacific, 56.

Today India is making significant strides towards a greener and sustainable future, aligning with the vision of “Viksit Bharat” by 2047. This commitment towards environmental consciousness will be essential for driving economic growth and fostering social equity. This resolve is reflected in several key initiatives: Renewable Energy Investments: Increased funding for the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) will enhance investments in solar power and support the National Green Hydrogen Mission, boosting energy independence and creating new business opportunities. PM Suryaghar Muft Bijli Yojana: This initiative has and will promote rooftop solar adoption by providing free electricity (up to 300 units) to one crore low- and medium-income households, making clean energy more accessible and likely attracting investment in solar technology. Climate Resilience in Agriculture: Investments in high-yielding, climate-resilient crop varieties and green farming practices demonstrate a commitment to improving agricultural productivity and addressing climate change, which will foster collaboration with agritech firms. Water and Infrastructure: Central govt’s emphasis on water supply, sewage treatment, and solid waste management through partnerships with state governments and multilateral development banks will open growth opportunities for businesses. Overall, focus on integrating Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) factors into its regulatory framework lays a solid foundation for a sustainable economy and positions us well to become a global leader in sustainable development. #ViksitBharat #EconomicGrowth #ESG #SustainableEconomy

𝐂𝐚𝐭𝐚𝐥𝐲𝐭𝐢𝐜 𝐂𝐚𝐩𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐥? 𝐆𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐫 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐁𝐥𝐮𝐞 𝐄𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐨𝐦𝐲.  Ocean solutions are still underfunded. Not because they lack potential, but because they often don't fit the mold of traditional investment. That’s where catalytic capital comes in. Catalytic capital is patient, risk-tolerant money. It absorbs early losses, offers concessional terms, or takes the first leap so others can follow. Think of it as financial scaffolding. It helps support early-stage ventures so commercial capital can move in once the risks are better understood. This is especially critical for entrepreneurs in coastal communities. They're developing real solutions: sargassum cleanup, seaweed farming and reef friendly tourism. But many struggle to raise funding due to perceived risk or small ticket size. The sustainable blue economy includes exactly these kinds of initiatives. It’s where ocean health and economic opportunity meet. Whether it’s sustainable seafood, coral restoration, offshore wind, or low-carbon shipping, these sectors need flexible capital to get off the ground. And that’s what we’re working on. For example, through WASOP (the West Africa Sustainable Ocean Programme), we’re shaping the enabling conditions for catalytic capital to reach high-potential projects. That includes designing technical assistance facilities, de-risking tools, and blended finance mechanisms to move ventures beyond the grant stage. Catalytic capital is strategic capital. It helps demonstrate that a model works, creating space for more traditional finance to follow. --- 𝐹𝑜𝑙𝑙𝑜𝑤 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑚𝑜𝑟𝑒 𝑖𝑛𝑠𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡𝑠 𝑜𝑛 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝐵𝑙𝑢𝑒 𝐸𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑜𝑚𝑦

Here are the main takeaways from this report: "Financing Climate Adaptation and Nature-Based Infrastructure" published by the World Bank Group, in partnership with the Public-Private Infrastructure Advisory Facility (PPIAF), Global Facility for Disaster Reduction and Recovery (GFDRR), and the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC). This report provides a critical analysis of the barriers and opportunities for increasing private sector participation in this vital area, drawing on a global review of over 50 projects.   Main Takeaways: 1️⃣ This report provides a practical framework by identifying: ✳️ Four Core Cost-Recovery Models: How projects can generate revenue over their lifetime. ✳️ User Pays: Direct charges for services (e.g., water tariffs, port fees). ✳️ Government Pays: Funding through public budgets, taxes, or availability payments. ✳️ Land Value Capture: Capturing a portion of increased property value from new, resilient developments. ✳️ Climate-Related Funding: Revenue from verifiable outcomes like carbon credits. 2️⃣ Four Key Financing Mechanisms: How upfront capital can be mobilized. ✳️ Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs): Structuring long-term contracts to leverage private sector efficiency and finance. ✳️ Capital Markets Finance: Issuing instruments like Green, Blue, and Biodiversity Bonds to tap into institutional capital. ✳️ Own-Source Financing: Companies investing directly from their own budgets, driven by risk reduction or ESG goals. ✳️ Public & Grant Finance: Using public funds and donor grants to de-risk projects, especially at the pilot stage. Challenge: ✴️ The fundamental barrier to private investment is that climate adaptation and nature-based projects are often public goods. Infrastructure that protects against flooding or restores an ecosystem doesn't easily generate direct revenue, making it difficult to attract commercial capital.   Pathways to Unlock Investment: ❇️ Blended Finance in Action: The As-Samra Wastewater Plant in Jordan combined public grants with private loans to deliver a bankable project that enhances water security. ❇️ Harnessing Capital Markets: The Belize Blue Bonds used a debt-for-nature swap, backed by political risk insurance, to reduce national debt and secure long-term funding for marine conservation. ❇️ Integrating Nature into Infrastructure: The Tibar Bay Port in Timor-Leste embedded mangrove restoration and coral reef conservation directly into a PPP port project, linking environmental outcomes with operational resilience. ❇️ Monetizing Co-Benefits: The Vida Manglar Blue Carbon Project in Colombia is restoring mangrove forests by selling carbon credits on the voluntary market, creating a revenue stream from climate mitigation. #ClimateFinance #Adaptation #NatureBasedSolutions #Infrastructure #WorldBank #PrivateSector #BlendedFinance #SustainableFinance #Investment #Resilience

Many SIDS have committed to 100% renewable energy in their power mix by 2030,, with a collective goal of adding 13 GW of new capacity. But achieving these targets requires more than infrastructure—it demands a whole-island ecosystem approach that integrates energy with food security, water management, marine industries, and economic resilience. 🏝️☀️🌊     Learn how a whole-island approach to energy can drive economic opportunity and enhance community resilience in this new strategy document on Advancing a Just Energy Transition in SIDS 👉 go.undp.org/34Q   This approach translates into tangible solutions:     🦀 Fisheries & Marine Economies – Ports account for up to 90% of SIDS' trade. Transforming ports into clean energy hubs can reduce costs and emissions across energy-intensive sectors 🌾 Agriculture & Water Security – 71% of SIDS face freshwater shortages. Solar irrigation systems can enhance agricultural productivity, while renewable-powered desalination and cold storage improve food and water security ☀️ Resilient Infrastructure – Decentralized microgrids, battery storage, and predictive climate tools can strengthen energy resilience, ensuring reliable power for critical services such as healthcare and disaster response   UNDP is working with #SIDS to scale solutions that integrate energy with blue and green economies, making renewables a driver of long-term prosperity and self-reliance.    Achieving this requires substantial international cooperation, with the true engine of change being the ingenuity and resilience of SIDS themselves.