Sustainable growth with circular economy business models

Curbing the climate crisis and halting global biodiversity loss can’t wait. This means that economic growth and prosperity can no longer be based on the wasteful use of natural resources and on buying and owning more and more new goods.

A global transition towards a carbon-neutral circular economy is an opportunity for all companies to develop new business, expand into new markets and create sustainable growth.

This playbook has been compiled by Finnish Innovation Fund Sitra and Deloitte to help companies in this task.

The circular economy is an economic model that addresses the root causes of biodiversity loss, the climate crisis and the depletion of natural resources.

A circular economy is not about producing more goods but about maximising the value from what we have, and keeping that value in the economy for as long as possible through smarter design, digital solutions and a shift from owning products to using services.

The benefits of the circular economy are clear, but there are always challenges when shifting to new business models.

This is a practical guide that provides insight, examples and hands-on tools to help business transition to the circular economy. It is aimed at companies that want to differentiate themselves from their competitors, respond better to the needs of customers and other stakeholders as well as create more value with fewer resources. This is made possible by five circular business models presented in this guide.

There’s a need for a global systemic change from linear thinking to a new circular economy that fits within the carrying capacity of the planet. This playbook enables businesses to be a part of this transformation.