Thinking Circular® is pleased to be providing the “Deep Dive Circular Economy” workshop in the second module of the training.

The requirements of sustainability regulation are an opportunity for companies and organizations to position themselves resiliently for the future. The BIGL training course addresses precisely this potential: going beyond the mere fulfillment of reporting obligations, we prepare supervisory board members for the confident management and monitoring of the current transformation processes towards a sustainable economy.

What the program offers you:
· You will learn from and with sustainability pioneers!
· You will develop an understanding of global developments that have led to the sustainability policy that you are currently dealing with on the supervisory board.
· You will acquire comprehensive knowledge of the systematics and content of sustainability regulations that affect companies: from disclosure requirements to prescribed climate scenario analyses.
You will gain a comprehensive understanding of potential corporate risks arising from current systemic crises (ecosystem crises, social crises, political crises).
You will learn about the success factors of good sustainable governance and how to implement them efficiently.
You will be inspired by companies that have already successfully embarked on transition paths.
You will develop on a personal level and gain skills in dealing with high complexity and potential conflicts of interest.
You will develop best practices and reflect on challenges in a trusting exchange with a maximum of 15-18 participants.
After completing the training, you will receive a certificate of advanced training.

The program is funded by the Mercator Foundation.

A virtual information event will provide insights into the training program:
Tuesday, February 11, 12-12.45 p.m.
Informal registration is possible via office@bigl.org

More Information.

Flyer of the training.

Der Beitrag Training in sustainability skills for supervisory boards: Good Sustainable Corporate Governance erschien zuerst auf Thinking Circular.

International norms and standards can play a central role in the fight against climate change and in adapting to it. The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) has therefore revised not only its central standard for the environmental management system ISO 14001, but also the standards for many other management systems, including the important ISO 9001, ISO/IEC 27001, ISO 45001 and ISO 50001. The aim of the ISO is to put the issue of climate change even higher on the agenda of certified organizations to recognize possible effects from the environment on the organization or possible effects of the organization on the environment at an early stage, to evaluate these opportunities and risks and to address them systematically, and thus ultimately to strengthen the resilience of the organization.

What was the initial idea?

Climate change is confronting the world with ever-increasing challenges. Organizations are already feeling the effects today: local extreme weather events such as heat waves, storms, floods or fires are becoming more frequent and endangering the health of employees, facilities and materials. Employees suffer from high temperatures and make more mistakes. The supply of raw materials is becoming less secure in some cases and planning reliability is decreasing. Demand for water, including for cooling, is increasing, as are costs. The energy supply has to be converted, and new and stricter legal and contractual requirements are being issued. Market expectations shift, sometimes steadily, sometimes immediately.

However, climate change as a driver of sustainable transformation also offers opportunities: disruptive business ideas are being developed and replacing old ones. New, promising products and services are entering the market, and market priorities and expectations are changing permanently.

What specifically has been changed?

In all relevant standards, chapters 4.1. and 4.2 have always required organizations to know their interested parties and to regularly consider the extent to which they can influence the effectiveness of their management system.
These previous requirements have now been supplemented: in the context analysis, organizations must in future systematically consider the effects of climate change. This must be done holistically, i.e. taking into account all interested parties and all processes, as well as specifically for the industry, products, locations, etc.

When does the change take effect?

The update has already taken place in 2024. Since this is not a lengthy change to the various existing standards, but rather an addition, the requirement already applies today. This means that auditors are already checking whether and how the organization has taken into account the effects of climate change as part of the surveillance and certification audits.

What does this mean for companies?

Consider the impacts of climate change on your organization and address them systematically and holistically. Identify and reduce risks, take advantage of opportunities, and make your organization resilient and future-ready.

How should you proceed?

The management representatives, as the central coordinators, should first get top management on board, inform them of the formal changes, and establish a regular process for this together.

A broad group of experts should systematically work through the possible opportunities and risks, i.e. first identify them, then evaluate and prioritize them, and, if necessary, take action. It is important to put oneself in the shoes of all relevant stakeholders in order not to overlook any points.

The key questions are:

• What strategic opportunities arise for the organization as a result of climate change? Where are its particular competencies and strengths in demand? What can be done to mitigate climate change or increase resilience within the organization, among customers, consumers or certain other social groups?
• What negative effects can climate change have on the organization? What dangers exist? How must the organization adapt? Which processes, products or services must be secured?

After the first phase, the identification of opportunities and risks, these must be individually evaluated and prioritized; usually semi-quantitatively and considering the two dimensions

• probability of occurrence and
• the severity of the impact if it occurs.

The opportunities and risks identified as relevant are then assigned specific measures and processed systematically. It is important to note that this analysis cannot be a one-time effort, but must be repeated regularly because both the organization and its environment can change: opportunities and risks can develop, assessments can be adjusted, and measures taken can be effective or ineffective.

Do you have any general questions regarding this new ISO requirement? Do you require support in identifying and managing your opportunities and risks? Are you looking for help in determining and following up meaningful corrective and preventive measures? Are you wondering how this can be combined with other legal requirements?

The competent and experienced Thinking Circular® team is ready to assist you.

By: Dr. Thomas Jagella

Der Beitrag Climate change: Opportunity and risk assessments are now a mandatory part of the ISO standards erschien zuerst auf Thinking Circular.

Staatssekretär Michael Hauer, MKUEM

Overall, Stefan Müllers noted that the Environmental Learning School+ has developed extremely well since the coronavirus break. The number of staff is fully utilised, the capacity of the premises could be utilised even more, but overall, with around 2,500 children, young people and adults benefiting from this educational offer, the expectations of what is possible have been met. Christian Hofeditz emphasised that the training events organised with the climate protection managers from the district in particular went very well and could even be offered several times.

Eveline Lemke, former Minister of Economic Affairs and Climate Protection for the state of Rhineland-Palatinate and herself based in the district with her consultancy Thinking Circular®, prepared and moderated the event. Her lifeblood is closely linked to the Umweltlernschule+ organisation, as she was able to present the EU funding for the facility at the time. Today, she is also a volunteer environmental lecturer for the adult education centre. Reflection with her colleagues is therefore a matter close to her heart. As is the development of the circular economy, for example in soil management.

Soil and construction waste management cluster initiative offers solutions

Markus Becker, Büro für Ingenieur- und Tiefbau GmbH, Eveline Lemke, Thinking Circular®

Solution steps were identified here. For example, the problem of the temporary storage of soil and building rubble, of which an estimated one million cubic metres still need to be moved in the Ahr valley for construction purposes. Markus Becker from Berthold Becker Büro für Ingenieur- und Tiefbau GmbH was the first to present the current status of the district’s soil and building rubble cluster. His office organises the cluster initiative. In the future, large construction projects such as the construction of flood defences will be an opportunity to reuse the large quantities of construction waste. So how can it be possible to store these masses temporarily rather than lorry them out of the valley first? State Secretary Michael Hauer from the State Ministry of the Environment promised that the establishment of interim storage facilities could be discussed once a calculation of the quantities to be stored had been submitted. He was happy to come to Niederzissen to the Environmental Learning Centre+ to discuss the further development of climate protection measures with those involved. The parties involved in land management were delighted to hear this news and will get to work on obtaining estimates or precise calculations of the quantities required for planned activities.

The presentation of Markus Becker’s lecture (in German) can be found here.

Recommendations from the KAHRS project

Prof. Dr. Lothar Kirschbauer, Hochschule Koblenz, KAHRS

Prof. Dr. Lothar Kirschbauer presented the results of the KAHR project and ten recommendations. He specifically addressed the recommendation to create more space for the Ahr and to strengthen inter-municipal cooperation. He also specifically recommended the installation of automatic flood bulkheads, the installation of pressurised water-proof wall ducts and the installation of house connections above the flood level.

The presentation of Prof Dr Lothar Kirschbauer’s lecture (in German) can be found here.

Policy(s) and economy(ies) with a future

Prof Reinhard Loske presents his theory on economics with a future. As a former environmental senator for the state of Bremen, member of the Bundestag and President of the Cusanus University of Applied Sciences in Koblenz, the transfer of theoretical knowledge into practical activities is close to his heart. His insights into the benefits of cooperation and good communication were confirmed by those present.

Prof. Dr. Reinhard Loske, Nachhaltigkeitswissenschaftler und Autor

The presentation of Prof Dr Reinhard Loske’s lecture can be found here.

At the end of the day’s event, it was clear to the network of environmental educators at the event that the abundance of tasks and the high fluctuation of people working and living in the Ahr Valley can only be tackled by everyone together and with solidarity, and that further educational programmes can be provided that can help in this area. The participants then agreed to continue to drive this forward.

Der Beitrag Sustainability, climate adaptation and resilience in reconstruction three years after the flood in the Ahr valley erschien zuerst auf Thinking Circular.

Sustainability in purchasing or in tenders holds enormous potential for climate protection. Public clients in particular have a special obligation to do a good job when using 470 billion euros of taxpayers’ money from the federal budget. The “Active for Sustainable Public Procurement” initiative aims to leverage this potential and give a boost to the German government’s “Procurement Transformation Package 2023”.  In principle, sustainable procurement is not a popular topic. It is regarded as cumbersome and complicated

Der Beitrag Sustainable purchasing and public sector clients – love at second sight erschien zuerst auf Thinking Circular.

A large and diverse number of standards have been developed with different approaches to sustainability. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in particular often do not have the time and resources to gain an overview themselves and make qualified decisions about which standards can support them in their processes. The Standards Compasscomparison tool is now intended to provide clarity and orientation in the “seal jungle”.

On behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), Helpdesk Business & Human Rights and the Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) developed the Standards Compass. On October 25, 2022, the Compass was presented to the public. The comparison tool supplements the SME Compass with a second component alongside the Due Diligence Compass, which helps small and medium-sized enterprises in particular to implement due diligence processes step by step.

What can standards achieve?

Standards play an important role in the sustainable transformation of our economy. However, there are hurdles in their practical application, which has so far often led to sustainability potentials remaining untapped. The Standards Compass now facilitates orientation and reliably informs companies about what to consider when selecting standards, what standards achieve, but also where their limitations lie and which requirements the company itself must implement.

“The BMZ is committed to ambitious regulations on corporate due diligence – but we also support companies in meeting these requirements,” said Anosha Wahidi, Head of Unit for Sustainable Supply Chains at the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development in a press release. “With the Standards Compass, we have developed another easily accessible tool to help companies make their contribution to the sustainable transition of global supply chains. However, it is important to emphasize that standards and certificates are not a carte blanche. They help meet individual due diligence requirements, but do not replace them.”

“The Standards Compass offers companies a dual benefit. It serves as a central knowledge database on sustainability standards and at the same time as an application-oriented implementation aid that places standards directly in the wider corporate sustainability process,” explains Katharina Hermann, head of the Business and Human Rights Helpdesk. “Companies can now make informed decisions about the opportunities and limitations of standards in the due diligence process and choose the standards that fit your needs – credible, ambitious and due diligence-based.”

How does the Standards Compass work?

A simple filter function enables a targeted search for the appropriate standards, broken down by industry and stage of the value chain, among other things. Using a catalog of criteria, the standards are evaluated transparently and objectively on a voluntary basis. Leading experts in the field of human rights due diligence were consulted at various points to develop the evaluation methodology. Initially, around 20 will be activated for the launch. The list will be gradually expanded until all current standards are included. Checklists also provide an overview of the specific steps required on the path to standards membership or certification.

The assessment methodology of the Standards Compass is based on the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights – the most important global framework for human rights due diligence.

Der Beitrag New comparison tool for sustainability standards goes online erschien zuerst auf Thinking Circular.

Discussing the decarbonisation of global transport, the event will provide opportunities to discuss solutions to the industry’s challenges in both a online and in-person hybrid event format.

My session is on the question of sustainable EV for the future.

With a mix of high-level, informative presentations and panels, a stellar cast of speakers and audience members with deal-making capacity, the 2021 edition of the event will again be a success.

I hope to see you there!

Der Beitrag Is sustainable EV possible? erschien zuerst auf Thinking Circular.

That is a total of only 5,837 companies, 18% of which are freelance, science, technology or service companies, 22% manufacturing and 10% trade. 3 million companies are not sustainable, are not interested in sustainability, or are not familiar with the term sustainability. This is a lot of room for improvement and reveals the implementation difficulties that exist.

Yet some framework conditions and specifications have long been in place. Since 2011, the European member states have been obliged to draw up an environmental balance sheet, which is incorporated into a “European environmental-economic balance sheet” (Regulation 691/2011/EU). We have compiled further information on this in the info box at the end of this blog post.

Following the ruling of the German Constitutional Court on the Climate Protection Act, the pressure on companies is increasing. A lack of sustainability can very quickly become a cost factor. But what is preventing companies from becoming sustainable in the first place? Whether SME or large industry, a lack of knowledge is often due to a lack of interest and vice versa, at the management level and likewise among employees. Often, the company’s own portfolio is not perceived as sustainable or there is no clarity about how CSR should be integrated into the company. Tight personnel capacities are often accompanied by a lack of support from management, which also leads to a lack of interest among employees. Last but not least, difficult economic conditions prevent companies from breaking new ground. Especially when they expect commercial disadvantages as a result.

However, there are just as many advantages and thus reasons for a company of any size and in any sector to adopt a sustainable strategy. Some are brought to companies from the outside: assuming environmental responsibility has been in the consciousness of entrepreneurs and customers since Greta Thunberg’s 2018 exclamation “How dare you?” at the World Climate Conference. More and more concrete political stipulations at many levels are forcing action. And the louder demands from interest groups, whether for cleaner air, renewable energy, less noise, fair trade or toxic-free goods, cannot be ignored. Because customers and investors are now joining such demands. On the inside, it is worth taking a close look to identify innovation potential and competitive advantages by demonstrating one’s own sustainable actions, identifying savings potential, for example, through resource conservation and circular economy, and thus enhancing the company’s reputation at the same time. This means motivation for employees and thus less fluctuation, as well as a greater chance of attracting young talent in a tight labor market.

Many good reasons to get involved in a sustainability strategy and CSR report and also to talk about it. In many industries, there are already renowned labels such as the Bio-Siegel, the Grüner Strom Label or the EMAS certification. There are associations such as the German Sustainable Business Association and associations such as the German Sustainable Building Council. Ambitious entrepreneurs take up the challenge of achieving the awards and rankings offered there. A real win-win situation with plenty of room for improvement.

Helping you on your way to sustainability:

The German Federal Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs offers CSR Made in Germany, a reporting format for “Corporate Social Responsibility.”” And the German Council for Sustainable Development RNE is tasked with implementing the global sustainability goals in business and offers a wide range of support for the forward-looking integration of ecological and social issues in all areas of business: global supplier networks, industry forums, accounting or the financial market.

In addition, the RNE offers a low-threshold entry into sustainability reporting, not only for small and medium-sized enterprises, with the platform German Sustainability Code DNK. With its climate protection plan, the German government provides orientation and perspective for any company willing to take a closer look, and the EU taxonomy promotes investment in green and sustainable projects.

And there are other national standards and regulations for Germany. The German Corporate Governance Code (DCGK), which is aimed primarily at listed companies, contains standards of good and responsible corporate governance. Value creation must be sustainably oriented. The recommendations of the GCGC are not mandatory. Nevertheless, there is an implicit obligation for listed stock corporations to implement them, as the Executive Board and Supervisory Board must prepare an annual declaration of conformity in accordance with Section 161 of the German Stock Corporation Act (AktG).

In international business, the sustainability or CSR report is frequently and increasingly the recognized framework of the Global Reporting Initiative GRI, while small companies prepare a declaration on the GSC.

Der Beitrag Sustainability in German companies – plenty of room for improvement erschien zuerst auf Thinking Circular.

As expected, our persona types differ from the four originals. It turned out that the demographic data does not necessarily match the described types and that people live differently than they claim they want to live.

We found that among 10 respondents, there is just 1 encouraged revolutionist and 1 strict visionaries Another 5 respondents behave like solitary realists (this behavior pattern is by far the most common) and the remaining 3 like caring humanists.

If we imagine that in our society there are 10% revolutionists and 10% visionaries with real leadership qualities who support entrepreneurs in leading them into a sustainable economy, and we also imagine that 80% (especially employees) support the activities of the visionaries out of caring, then perhaps there would be a chance to ensure long-term survival on this planet for us. Unfortunately, however, we conducted the survey in the environment of people who are already acting sustainably and therefore we now have to classify this statement correctly at the corporate level.

We take a figure from the Council for Sustainability’s report (Germany) from this year. This tells us that not even 0.13% of companies act sustainably. More than 3 million companies are simply NOT behaving sustainably. On this basis, we can assume that currently only about 1.120 company leaders in Germany are driving sustainability as world savers or world improvers and display real “leadership qualities”. Is that enough? Can these 1.120 people motivate around 3 million other corporate leaders in Germany to become more sustainable?

We think so, because in answering the question of how people will behave sustainably in the future, answers can be found in the present: The four personas show how sustainable behavior is already being lived today and they reveal the character traits exhibited by Homo Circularis. Homo Circularis provides answers #Homo Circularis – Thinking Circular to how people will behave sustainably in the future if the transformation to the circular utopia of a Circular Economy and a Circular Society succeeds.

This gives reason for hope! If more people behave like Homo Circularis, we can write the behavioral history of the future ourselves and survive. And we have to do that, because climate change is the existentially threatening. If we do not learn from this knowledge to behave differently, then there will be no future for humans on this planet.

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Presentation of the personas and critique:

Hannah, 24 years old, student: (age and profession fictitiously added by us)

In terms of sustainability type, Hannah is a “encouraged revolutionist”. This group of sustainability people belongs to generations Y and Z. Encouraged Revolutionists are therefore born between 1980 and 2012. They consciously follow different values than the generations before them.

For a large part of this segment, it is true that they prefer to live in the city, have a low income, enjoy a medium to high education, are single and have no children. Most of the encouraged revolutionist are female.

In the morning, they like to listen to music via various streaming services. During the day, they use online press on their smartphones and social media in between. In the evening, they watch series and documentaries via streaming services. They tend to watch conventional TV less often.

83% of the encouraged revolutionists have a high affinity for vegetarian food. 81% are interested in natural cosmetics. And 91% want to avoid plastic packaging.

The most important issues for them include animal welfare, no factory farming and a clean environment. Their most important values are freedom, curiosity, solidarity, tolerance and peace.

Tom, 35 years old, engineer: (age and profession fictitiously added by us)
Tom is of the sustainability type “Caring Humanist. This group of sustainability people belongs to generations X and Y. Caring humanists are therefore born between 1965 and 1999.

For a large part of this segment, they enjoy living in both urban and rural areas, have a medium to high income, enjoy a medium to high education, are married and have children. Most of the caring humanists are male.

In the morning, they read the classic daily newspaper and listen to the radio. During the day, they use online press and listen to podcasts. In the evening, they watch both streaming services and traditional TV.

92% of caring humanists try to avoid microplastics. 83% use green electricity. And 77% increasingly use bicycles, public transport or car-sharing instead of driving their own cars.

Among the most important issues for them are the loving treatment of children, family peace and time with the family. Their most important values are justice and not judging hastily.

Dori, 50 years old, professor: (age and profession fictitiously added by us)
Dori’s sustainability type is “Strict Visionaries”. This group of sustainability people can be found in all generations.

For a large part of this segment, it is true that they prefer to live in the big city, have a high income, enjoy a medium to high level education, and are married or in a relationship. Many of them have children. Strict visionaries are equally distributed among men and women.

In the morning and during the day, they like to read blogs, online press and online magazines, and listen to podcasts. They tend to use traditional newspapers less frequently. They also hardly use social media at all. In the evening, they watch series and documentaries via streaming services. Traditional television does not appeal to them.

95% of strict visionaries have a high affinity for sustainably and fairly produced clothing. 87% travel less by air. And 82% pay attention to ethical and green investments made by their bank.

Among the most important issues for them are the environment and peace. Their most important values are trust and respect.

Ulrike, 67 years old, pensioner: (age and profession fictitiously added by us)
Ulrike’s sustainability type is “Solitary Realists.” This group of sustainability people is a subgroup of baby boomers. Solitary realists are therefore born between 1946 and 1964.

For a large part of this segment, they prefer to live in rural areas, have a medium income, enjoy a medium education, are married and have children. Most of the solitary realists are female.

In the morning, they read traditional daily newspapers. During the day, they use social media and occasionally online magazines. In the evening, they mainly watch conventional TV.

95% of the solitary realists try to avoid packaging, especially plastic packaging. 91% have a strong affinity for regional products. And 84% use natural cleaning products.

Among the most important issues for them are family and readiness to help others. Their most important values are honesty, tolerance and respect.

___________________________________________________

There are two criticisms to be made of personas:

1. Presenting such personas can lead to greenwashing.
   Because not every company and not every marketing agency pursues noble goals. The primary goal is to make more profit by marketing green products better, because they know how to address people who only buy green. Whether these products are then actually green, or whether only Green Buzz Words are used, which correspond to the values of these personas, is often untransparent. For the customer who wants to protect himself, the following then applies: research first, buy second.
2. The method of developing personas is considered controversial in research.                                                          Personas involve creative latitude. Nevertheless, the description of them can be helpful. For example, when it comes to shedding light on behavioral issues. And also, to provide clarity. Personas are often created in pictures and as close to reality as possible. The persona is then given a name, clothes, a face. Our creative brain, our imagination, jumps on it. Research suddenly becomes tangible. And that is precisely why the persona method is also considered problematic for research. It is still true that research is only sexy if it virtually overtaxes the reader intellectually. If you sound smart, you seem to be smart. Today, however, “For Dummies” is the new sexy. Keep it short, simple…and stupid! Research and education are being revolutionized in a creative way. And it turns out: As simple as possible is sometimes much more difficult than complex presentations.

By Eveline Lemke and Charléne Nessel

Der Beitrag How do people behave sustainably in the future? erschien zuerst auf Thinking Circular.

Did you know?

• Green energy consumption has increased by 50% since 2011.
• After introducing trustworthy ecolabels, sales of green products triple within one year.
• 82% of the 15–29-year-olds are currently revolutionizing the food market through eating less or no meat.
• 33% of them have become part of the development only since 2020.
• Research papers have increased from 300 to 3,000 papers about circular topics within just a few years.

For visualization (market development only theoretically):

Arithmetically this means that every third person uses green products at home. That’s quite a goal, isn’t it? Is it feasible? Close to reality? Or made up out of thin air?

The renewable energy sector might be a good best practice example to look at. Currently, market share of green energy has increased continuously by 50% since 2011. Clearly, an accelerator has been the nuclear catastrophe of Fukushima in 2011.

Accelerators can help the market share of green products to skyrocket. Accelerators can be an event, a movement but also the green labeling of products so that customers get orientation in the green jungle of buzz- and trend-words. Example is here the GOTS-label, a trustworthy and prominent ecolabel. Studies show that after labeling products with GOTS, sales have tripled within just one year after introduction of the label.

After analyzing successful circular products and systems, a pattern becomes clear: There must be a window of opportunity combined with a driver.

So, what does it have to do with eating less meat? And especially for circular economy?

The circular economy is an answer on how to survive on this planet after all. Future reality will be designed by circular thinking and behaving. Why? Because circular thinking embeds in current reality. What does it mean? It means that theories of sustainable living have to include that not all the people on this planet will suddenly abstain from comforts – a precondition for some sustainability concepts. But people still want to live in a modern way and not go back into Middle Ages.

That’s when our idea of Homo Circularis comes into play. (Want to know more? Here you can find the whole article).

How does a Homo Circularis behave? He repairs instead of disposes. He grows vegetables instead of imports. He talks about sufficiency, subsistence and about how to live a good life. He respects other people, the planet and other species. He is eating less meat and may even be vegan. Here’s room for discussion how Homo Circularis would live in a circular society that builds the basis for our grandchildren’s future.

Future is the right keyword to talk about. Will the future generation who is just growing-up and who will sharp the whole living, believing and managing of politics and economics of the future be Homo Circularis? And how will the Corona crisis will have an impact?

It seems like rising hope: The 2021 meat atlas published by the German Federal Ministry for the Environment and Nature Conservation has revealed highly interesting facts on the food patterns of this “Generation Hope”.

Twice as much of the 15-29-year-olds are vegetarian and vegan in comparison to the total population average. That means a total of 13% of this generation is vegetarian or vegan (10.4% vegetarian, 2.3% vegan). The development tripled in the last ten years. Moreover, 25% are flexitarians and even 44% want to reduce meat. In total, 82% of the 15-29-year-olds are currently experiencing a transformation of their eating habits to save the climate. Wow! Surveys show Fridays for Future has been a catalyst since its first worldwide attention in 2018. Since then, numbers clearly have been going up and more than the half of this generation is fan of the movement. It shows that within one year, movement has even more accelerated. Most of the interviewed future generation has just become part of the transformation since the last year. May it have to do with COVID-19 as well? Thinking about the cause of the pandemic as part of our obliviousness to nature resulting in systems that are not in balance with our ecosystems and our health anymore, the answer could be yes.

Anyhow, circular economy and circular behavior are experiencing an acceleration, fired by specific catalysts. It seems like we are identifying a window of opportunity. The future generation is challenging the system through its eating habits. That’s where the young generation is just creating pain points, drawing visions of the future showing how sustainable living and surviving could work and what they are willing to do so.

It is striking how strongly meat consumption is linked to political attitudes. Those who consume less meat want to behave as homo circularis, namely more environmentally friendly, nutritional and animal welfare conscious. Consciousness is a big topic. Among vegans, 75% see themselves as part of the climate protection movement, among vegetarians almost 50%; among omnivores it’s only 15%. 42% of vegetarians and 63% of vegans are committed to fight food waste; among omnivores, only 29%. Among vegetarians, 92% reject working conditions in the meat industry; 96% do so among those who eat vegan; 64% do so among those who eat everything.

Clearly, meat or non-meat consumption is now a strongly political issue, not a private “matter of taste.” The representatives of the vegan diet are also particularly interested in nutrition, while those in the group that eats everything are significantly less interested. Supporters of vegetarian and vegan diets are clearly more sustainability-oriented and also see themselves as a pioneer group of a sustainable lifestyle – or a Homo Circularis lifestyle?

Young people see the state as having a (shared) responsibility for sustainable nutrition. Accordingly, there is clear agreement with many, but not all, of the policy instruments surveyed that could support sustainable consumption. They support climate labeling of food and stricter animal welfare laws – as well as making an animal welfare label mandatory. A mandatory “veggie day” is viewed more critically.

The young generation could be our new generation of Homo Circularis – or “Generation Hope” – and a clear accelerator for building up a circular society and circular economy. The food topic is the young generations topic of interest. But of course, circular economy is so much more. It’s about managing all our materials and mass flows in biological and technical circles.

By Charléne Nessel

Der Beitrag A strong trend: How vegetarians are accelerating circular economy erschien zuerst auf Thinking Circular.

In addition to articles on new aspects and developments, the Yearbook contains best-practice examples from companies, presents networks and organizations, and provides an overview of competitions and certificates in the field of sustainability.

With “Homo Circularis – Of circularity and reality. And what it all has to do with banana bread”, Thinking Circular® has contributed an article on the Circular Economy. The new theory is not yet fully formulated. Filling the theoretical gaps is a concern of the authors Eveline Lemke and Charléne Nessel. Fundamental questions are already being asked: what is the human image in a Circular Economy if we humans are to survive in the future of climate change?

Find the Sustainability Yearbook 2021 in German here.

Der Beitrag Sustainability Yearbook 2021 erschien zuerst auf Thinking Circular.