Whole System Design

Whole System Design and Ecological Economics

International Agreements and Policy Developments

  • 03/02/25 COP16 Biodiversity Summit Reaches Compromise on Nature Finance: On February 28, 2025, the UN biodiversity conference (COP16) concluded with a last-minute agreement aimed at halting nature loss by 2030. The deal includes raising $200 billion annually for nature finance, involving development banks, and setting indicators for progress. However, some critics argue that the agreement lacks urgency and concrete measures, leaving issues like the creation of a new fund and tackling nature-destroying subsidies unresolved.

Institutional Changes in Economic Research

  • 03/02/25  Closure of IZA Institute of Labour Economics: Economists have expressed significant concerns over the impending closure of the IZA Institute of Labour Economics, a prominent labor-market think tank based in Bonn. The closure, set for December 2025, follows the decision of its primary backer, the Deutsche Post Foundation, to cease funding. This development is expected to impact labor economics research in Germany and Europe, as the IZA has been a cornerstone in the field with an extensive network of economists and research contributions.

Legal Actions for Environmental Accountability

  • 03/02/25 Rise in Climate Litigation: There has been a notable increase in legal actions targeting inadequate climate policies and corporate practices. Climate litigation cases have doubled between 2017 and 2022, with more cases now targeting corporations. In Ireland, Community Law & Mediation (CLM) is leading a landmark case against the government for failing to meet climate targets set in the 2015 Climate Act. This trend reflects a growing use of litigation as a tool to enforce environmental accountability and address the climate crisis4

Resource Control and Economic Implications

  • 03/02/25  Indonesia’s Dominance in the Nickel Market: Indonesia has emerged as a dominant player in the global nickel market, drawing parallels to OPEC’s influence over oil. The country’s control over nickel production has significant implications for global supply chains, especially given nickel’s critical role in battery production for electric vehicles. This development underscores the strategic importance of resource control in the transition to sustainable technologies.

Academic Discussions on Sustainable Development

  • 03/02/25  Advancements in Degrowth Research: Recent scholarly reviews have highlighted progress in degrowth and post-growth research. A 2025 review in The Lancet Planetary Health surveyed 201 studies, noting advances in ecological macroeconomic models and the testing of post-growth policies. Additionally, a 2025 comparative review in Ecological Economics analyzed 75 modeling studies, finding that reducing resource use can facilitate ambitious climate goals without compromising well-being. These discussions emphasize the need to rethink traditional economic growth models to achieve sustainability.

Investment Initiatives

  • 03/02/24  BG Planet Ark Circular Future Fund: Planet Ark and Boston Global have partnered to launch the BG Planet Ark Circular Future Fund, aiming to raise $1 billion by 2030. This fund focuses on investing in businesses that promote sustainability, reduce carbon emissions, and enhance the circular economy. The initiative builds on Australia’s Circular Economy Framework, targeting a doubling of circularity by 2035 and potentially adding $26 billion annually to the GDP.

Community Programs

  • 03/02/25  Treasure Trail in Glenorchy, Tasmania: The Glenorchy mayor, Sue Hickey, has introduced the Treasure Trail, promoting nine op shops between Glenorchy and Claremont. This initiative encourages the community to reduce, reuse, and repurpose items, combating the environmental impact of fast fashion by giving products a second life. It also supports disadvantaged individuals, fosters volunteering, and connects shoppers to local businesses.

Conferences and Expert Discussions

  • 03/02/25  VII International Meeting on Circular Economy in Gipuzkoa: Gipuzkoa hosted the VII International Meeting on Circular Economy, bringing together over 40 experts to discuss challenges and opportunities in this economic model. Key topics included strategic autonomy, resource efficiency, the role of artificial intelligence in the circular economy, decarbonization strategies, recycling in the food industry, bioeconomy, and the impact on energy transition and female entrepreneurship.

Policy Developments

Technological Innovations

  • 03/02/25  Recycling Lithium-Ion Batteries Using Vegetable Oil: Scientists have developed a new method to recycle lithium-ion batteries using vegetable oil. This innovative approach aligns with circular economy principles by providing a sustainable solution to battery waste and promoting the reuse of valuable materials.