What is Regenerative Economy and why is it important?

The world faces immense challenges such as the climate crisis and the loss of biodiversity. Extreme weather events, resource scarcity, lower crop resilience among others: these are all symptoms of a system operating at the brink of failure.  Over the years, ingenuity and technology have mitigated the impact of these symptoms. 

But maintenance of the planetary and environmental status quo is not good enough. 

Our economy needs a change of direction towards circularity and regeneration. To ensure a healthy planet, the Regenerative Economy is a system that is built to create and deliver additional value at multiple levels:

• Environmental: Improving on planetary health and resource management.
• Social: Fair and equitable treatment of customers, beneficiaries, employees, and stakeholders
• Economic: Continued impact through sustainable business models, products and services 

Regenerative actors therefore “not only reduce negative influences but also positively contribute to restoring environmental and societal resources” (SDSN Switzerland).

Innovative approaches to the current challenges are needed that deliver a net positive impact not just at one level, but at every level possible. This could be a process that reduces reliance on fossil fuels, fair wages for production workers, or business models that integrate regenerative principles that create value. Ventures that achieve all three will drive the transition to the future economy. 

The Regenerative Economy can be enabled across many sectors. At Impact Hub Basel we believe that the themes of biodiversity, circular economy and food have a great impact potential for our region. These themes provide opportunities for startups, SMEs, and corporations to develop new approaches that when implemented together can truly deliver on a green, fair and just world.