{"id":1498,"date":"2025-07-05T22:50:29","date_gmt":"2025-07-05T20:50:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.regeneration-pioneers.com\/?p=1498"},"modified":"2026-01-14T09:51:01","modified_gmt":"2026-01-14T08:51:01","slug":"doughnut-economics-a-new-model-for-a-sustainable-21st-century-economy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.regeneration-pioneers.com\/en\/2025\/07\/05\/doughnut-economics-a-new-model-for-a-sustainable-21st-century-economy\/","title":{"rendered":"Doughnut Economics \u2013 A New Model for a Sustainable 21st-Century Economy"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Introduction: Why We Need to Rethink Economics<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The 21st century challenges the foundations of mainstream economics. Climate breakdown, rising inequality, and ecological overshoot demand a new approach.
Doughnut Economics<\/strong>, developed by Kate Raworth, proposes a shift: from a growth-focused economy to one that meets human needs within planetary boundaries<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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What Is Doughnut Economics?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Doughnut Economics visualizes a safe and just space for humanity<\/strong>: a \u201cdoughnut-shaped\u201d area where people\u2019s essential needs are met without breaching ecological thresholds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The inner ring<\/strong> represents the social foundation<\/strong> \u2013 the minimum standards for a decent life. The outer ring<\/strong> marks the planetary boundaries<\/strong> \u2013 the ecological ceiling we must not exceed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Between these two rings lies the doughnut: the sweet spot where humanity can thrive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The Planetary Boundaries <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Originally conceptualized by Rockstr\u00f6m et al. and later updated by the Stockholm Resilience Centre (2023)<\/strong>, the planetary boundaries framework<\/strong> now assesses nine Earth system processes<\/strong>. As of the latest research, six of these nine boundaries are already breached<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Planetary
CC-BY-NC-ND Credit: Azote for Stockholm Resilience Centre, based on analysis in Richardson et al 2023 <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

\ud83c\udf0d The Nine Boundaries:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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  1. Climate Change<\/strong> \u2013 Atmospheric CO\u2082 & surface temperature remains well above safe levels<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. Biosphere Integrity<\/strong> \u2013 Accelerated species extinction and ecosystem degradation<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. Novel Entities (e.g., plastics, chemicals)<\/strong> \u2013 Unchecked chemical pollution<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  4. Stratospheric Ozone Depletion<\/strong> – The ozonhole that protects us from UV-radiation<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  5. Ocean Acidification<\/strong> – causing marine ecosystem to tip<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  6. Freshwater Change<\/strong> \u2013 Disruption of the blue water (hydrological cycle) and green water (bound in plants and soil)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  7. Land-System Change<\/strong> \u2013 Loss of forests and soil functions<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  8. Nitrogen & Phosphorus Flows<\/strong> \u2013 Overuse in agriculture leading to <\/li>\n\n\n\n
  9. Atmospheric Aerosol Loading<\/strong> – changing moonsoon and rainfalls next to being harmful to humans<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    \ud83d\udd17 View full 2023 update \u2013 Stockholm Resilience Centre<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    These boundaries are interconnected, and their transgression increases the risk of triggering tipping points in Earth\u2019s systems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    Host a Planetary Boundaries Workshop<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    I offer interactive workshops using the Planetary Boundary Fresk<\/em> \u2013 a science-based and creative way to explore Earth\u2019s ecological limits and what they mean for us.
    \ud83d\udce9 Want to organize a workshop for your team, university, or community?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    Explore details of the workshop<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n
    Book a free discovery call now!<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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    Integrating Doughnut Thinking into Sport, Culture, and Event Management<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    As part of my university teaching, I developed a custom adaptation of the Doughnut Economics model<\/strong> for the fields of sport, culture, and event management<\/strong>. The adapted doughnut links common sectoral activities (e.g., food & catering, media & communication, transportation, water management) with social outcomes<\/strong> and ecological constraints<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \"Custom<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    \ud83d\udcc4 \ud83d\udc49 Download the interactive worksheet now<\/strong> to explore how your event or initiative aligns with the doughnut principles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    PDF-Worksheet<\/a>Download PDF now<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n

    This visual helps students and practitioners rethink the impact of their work within a regenerative and distributive economic lens<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    Why Doughnut Economics Resonates Today<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    Doughnut Economics breaks away from the outdated paradigm of GDP growth as a proxy for progress. It asks deeper questions:<\/p>\n\n\n\n