Shaping New Circular Business Models for Systems Innovation

We have less than 12 years to decarbonise our economies, that is 6 times faster than we have ever achieved. A Circular Economy is an important part of the solution, yet currently the global economy is only 9% circular. 

The transition to a Circular Economy requires a rapid transformation of economic, social and financial systems. EU policies and businesses support Circular Economy, but more work is required to scale circular innovations. The transition to a Circular Economy requires a rapid transformation of economic, social and financial systems.

“Revolutionary business models and disrupting digital technologies do not necessarily guarantee access to market” says Maria Loloni , Business Analyst for Sustainable Production Systems at EIT Climate-KIC.

“Innovation happens as part of a wider system, and it is often the surrounding environment that proves decisive on whether an innovation will flourish or perish” adds Laloni. “These case studies provide on-the-ground examples of how system elements such as policy, skills, behaviour, market structures, information flows, organisational governance and finance influence the market take-up of innovative business models.”

This Insight series presents 9 case studies, showcasing the business models of EIT Climate-KIC start-ups and projects aiming to inspire further action.

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Maria Loloni, Business Analyst, EIT Climate-KIC "Innovation happens as part of a wider system, and it is often the surrounding environment that proves decisive."

About the research

Accelerating the Transition to Sustainable Production Systems is a series of ten peer-reviewed insight documents written by renowned climate innovation experts.

The series was commissioned by EIT Climate-KIC, Europe’s largest public – private partnership dedicated to climate innovation to share recent experiences of exploring different ways to nurture and sustain partnership and cross-sector collaborations for a circular economy.

The series reveals the strategies, approaches and challenges developed and deployed, as well as the lessons learned. Capturing this knowledge is vital to creating the conditions that enable innovation in a context where there are few precedents or existing protocols.

The Climate Innovation Insights was originally presented at the third World Circular Economy Forum (WCEF) held in Helsinki, Finland on 3-5 June 2019, hosted by Sitra.

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