The Ecocanvas as a Tool Supporting Circular Economy in Europe and Beyond
By Alain Daou
For decades, our economies have been structured around a linear logic: extract, produce, consume, and discard. This model has delivered growth, but at a cost we can no longer ignore. Resource depletion, climate change, and social inequalities are no longer abstract risks—they are structural realities shaping how businesses and societies must operate. This realization is what led my co-authors and me to develop the Ecocanvas, a practical tool to help organizations transition toward a circular economy
Circular economy is often presented as a technical solution that relies on reusing materials, recycling waste, and improving efficiency. While these steps are essential, they are not sufficient. In practice, many circular economy approaches overlook social dynamics and struggle to be translated into concrete business decisions. The Ecocanvas was designed precisely to address this gap by integrating environmental, social, economic, and legal dimensions into one coherent business model framework.
This challenge is particularly relevant in the European Union, where ambitious circular economy policies are reshaping markets. For countries such as Cyprus, with limited natural resources and pressing waste and water challenges, circular business models are not optional—they are a necessity for resilience and economic sovereignty. Similarly, Albania, as a country aligning with EU standards, faces a strategic choice: replicate outdated linear systems or leapfrog directly into circular, future-proof economic models.
However, we must remain critical. Circularity is not a buzzword to be added to strategy documents; it requires deep organizational change, supportive public policy, and collaboration between businesses and institutions. Tools like the Ecocanvas do not offer quick fixes, but they do offer structure, clarity, and a way to make sustainability operational rather than aspirational.
If Europe is serious about its green transition, it must invest not only in regulation and technology, but also in practical frameworks that help businesses rethink how value is created, shared, and sustained.
For more about the Ecocanvas click Here
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