On Tuesday 23 November, the Sustainability University and sustainability professionals and -experts from different sectors with different functions and backgrounds – came together at Nyenrode Business University. During this research seminar, we explored 4 circular cases in more depth as part of our current research into circular interventions and transitions. Knowledge about the case through an innovative knowledge carousel approach shared by case owners and enriched with questions and experiences of the sustainability professionals.
The Sustainability University, in collaboration with Nyenrode Business University, the University of Amsterdam and TheRockGroup, has analyzed and described 51 existing cases/interventions. During the seminar, the next step was taken in our research with the help of sustainability professionals and case owners. In this so-called “deep dive” seminar, we further explored the action perspective in the different phases of the transition model on the basis of four selected cases. From their cross-sectoral and multidisciplinary perspective, we started working on a translation into practice.
What can sustainability professionals do and what should they no do in the various phases?
During the seminar, supervised by the Sustainability University and Prof. dr. André Nijhof of Nyenrode, we answered the following main question based on the 4 cases from different sectors and phases: “How can knowledge/insight into market transition phases (of your initiative/project) be used in practice to achieve acceleration towards CE?” In line with the transformation model (Changing the Game (2020), Lucas Simons & André Nijhof), the four cases were further analyzed with answers to questions such as: who are the stakeholders and directors in this case? Which interventions and actions were successful and which were not? What competencies and roles does the sustainability professional need to take this case to the next phase?
In short, what can sustainability professionals do and what should they not do in the various phases? Due to the set-up of the seminar, with an innovative knowledge carousel, there was ample opportunity for knowledge sharing and development, so that it was valuable for everyone to attend. In this way, all attendees had the opportunity to learn from the cases and collect different perspectives. After 4 rounds, all case owners shared their key insights of the seminar. The Sustainability University will share the results of these deep dive seminar in the coming weeks.
Sign-up for the results: insights by the case-owners and the other sustainability experts
Via info@sustainabilityuniversity.org you can sign up for the mailing list of the results. The final report and conclusions of the study will be published in the spring of 2022. All results will also be published on our website during the project. We would like to thank all attendees and other members of the peer group for participating in the study and especially the case owners:
- Bart van Straten and Harriette Laurijsen, on behalf of case phase 1: Circular Healthcare – TU Delft and RadboudUMC
- Ramona Apostol and Marieke Janssen, on behalf of case phase 2: Circular tender for consumer electronics in Dutch prisons – Custodial Institutions Agency
- Caroline Poot, mamens case phase 3: Circular Jeans – JOG GROUP
- Nina van Kranendonk and Huub Saris, on behalf of case phase 4: Cork as a circular and healthy solution for synthetic turf pitches – Municipality of Amsterdam
Read more about our first research results that served as the set-up for this meeting via the following link (in Dutch): https://www.duurzaam-ondernemen.nl/duurzame-markttransformatie-in-de-praktijk-vraagt-verandering-van-perspectief-en-skills/
Tthe research is made possible in part by the Goldschmeding Foundation.