The Dutch government has ambitious circularity targets, yet its own procurement practices undermine the next step in the transition. Companies investing in circular design and refurbishment are insufficiently rewarded by the procurement structure. This project breaks that deadlock: we examine how existing practices (true pricing, circular procurement, circular business operations) reinforce each other in accelerating and guiding the transition to a circular society in general, and a sustainable circular business model in particular. Using Ahrend as a living lab, we calculate the true value of circular choices, test a new contract design, and translate the results into practical building blocks.
Economic transition: the costs and benefits of (in)action
What does an economy look like that focuses not on GDP growth, but on well-being, ecology and justice?
What is needed to achieve this sustainable economy and how is our current economic system holding back these changes?
We are exploring these questions from a practical perspective as part of the program: ‘Economic transition: the costs and benefits of (in)action’. Together with partners from academia, the professional sector, government and social movements, we are working to shape this transition, set it in motion and anchor it. In doing so, we actively apply knowledge in practice to bring about a transformation of our current economic system.