A new economic paradigm which is regenerative by design
The transition to a low-carbon, circular economy is both necessary and inevitable. A systems’ approach or metabolic analysis tells us where the opportunities are, and confirm that the many inspiring examples out there, still only show a glimpse of what is actually possible.
Merging a top-town system’s approach with bottom-up anecdotal evidence
Shifting Paradigms relies on a metabolic analysis to oversee the flows, conversions and stocks of materials and energy. We combine this analysis with bottom-up anecdotal evidence on how materials are managed, what can drive change and which solutions work. Rather than looking at the individual elements of a linear “take-make-waste” supply chain and aiming for incremental improvements, we focus on the systemic opportunities which often cut across sectors and borders.
By preference, we collaborates with in-country experts, supporting them with trainings on the circular economy, systems’ analysis data collection and visualisation, circular design, business models, finance and policy.
Circular climate change mitigation
Climate change is a remnant from the linear economy. Since a staggering 67% of global greenhouse gas emissions are related to material management, resource efficiency and low-carbon development should be worked at in parallel (UNDP/Shifting Paradigms, 2017). Reducing the material footprint of an industrial cluster or jurisdiction, will reduce emissions all the way down the relevant value chains, to reach even the fields, forests, wells and mines from which our raw materials originate.
Emissions embodied in international trade represent over 30% of the greenhouse gas footprint of countries. This emphasises the importance of international cooperation on climate action. It also shows that reports on territorial or on-site emissions only reveal part of the mitigation leverage which a government or company has. Considering opportunities beyond factory gates or national borders, enables us to formulate a broader and more inclusive development perspective.
Circular economy offers a promising set of strategies to redefine development through the lens of metabolic efficiency. Data visualisation is an important means to support stakeholders with understanding the metabolism of their organisation or jurisdiction, set priorities and leverage the circular economy to bring activities back within planetary boundaries. This requires that we also consider rebounds, allow decision-makers to navigate the associated trade-offs and consider solutions like substituting carbon intensive materials, improving resource efficiency, making better use of existing assets and sufficiency.
Shifting Paradigms is grateful to be backed by the skilled and passionate individuals from the partner organisations that we enjoy working with. Without them, it would be impossible to operate in such a broad range of sectors and geographies.
In this blog post you can read more about the origin of the name “Shifting Paradigms” and find our environmental policy.