The Wellbeing Economy is a movement for transforming the existing economic systems to support the wellbeing of people and planet, instead of wealth creation and environmental depredation. This theory of change can also be a powerful driving force towards Net Zero success. Find out more about the elements of the Wellbeing Economy and why it matters.
Until recently, the world used a linear economy predominantly, which is a system of production and waste. In the linear economy, raw materials and collected and turned into products that are sold through supply chains to consumers. When they are used, they move to landfills as waste.
The linear economy is wasteful and carbon-heavy; it is not in line with people and planet and does not support Net Zero efforts. Although it is not perfect, the circular economy is more sustainable. A circular economy values sharing, reusing, recycling, and reducing consumption.
In order to reach the UN's target of Net Zero by 2050, individuals, businesses, and public organisations have a part to play; at the same time, the Wellbeing Economy needs to maintain dignity and ensure that everyone has enough resources to exist comfortably on the planet.
When it comes to energy efficiency, it's the responsibility of governments to ensure that renewable energy and other Net Zero technologies are funded and accessible to the general public; that said, individuals and businesses can support Net Zero efforts with internal choices.
Eco anxiety is a fear about the future of the planet based on what we now know about climate change and the effects of carbon in the atmosphere. Eco anxiety can affect anyone, but it's more likely to affect people with more knowledge of the climate crises and the realities facing us.
While eco-anxiety sounds adverse, it can also be used as motivation to support Net Zero efforts, sustainability, and the Wellbeing Economy. Eco-anxiety can be challenging to manage and affects productivity; that's why businesses and organisations can benefit from peer support.
Food is a necessary part of the economy, but the ways it is produced, distributed, and consumed have an impact on people and the planet. Large-scale food production accounts for one-quarter of greenhouse gas emissions globally, including distribution and refrigeration.
Again, creating a more sustainable food system requires structural changes like sustainable farming practices, food waste reduction, and animal welfare, but individuals have a part to play in the choices they make when they visit supermarkets to support more ethical food production.
While eco-anxiety is part of mental health in the Wellbeing Economy, it is not the only factor. Society has unfolded in ways that support consumerism and wealth accumulation, not physical, emotional, and mental wellness. The Wellbeing Economy is about changing these dynamics.
Putting the welfare of people and animals at the heart of society is the best way to adjust priorities and create a fairer, more sustainable world. When people are valued over wealth, it changes society's mechanics, improves mental health and harmonises the people and planet.
Here’s a collection of some of our articles which have been in our newsletters or published elsewhere.
Uchumi wa Ustawi ni harakati ya kubadilisha mifumo ya kiuchumi iliyopo ili kusaidia ustawi wa watu na sayari, badala ya uundaji wa utajiri na uharibifu wa mazingira. Nadharia hii ya mabadiliko pia inaweza kuwa nguvu ya kuendesha kuelekea mafanikio ya Net Zero. Pata zaidi kuhusu vipengele vya Uchumi wa Ustawi na kwa nini ni muhimu. Hadi hivi karibuni, ulimwengu ulitumia uchumi wa mstari hasa, ambayo ni mfumo wa uzalishaji na taka. Katika uchumi linear, malighafi ni kukusanywa na kugeuzwa katika bidhaa ambayo ni kuuzwa kupitia minyororo ya usambazaji kwa watumiaji. Wanapotumiwa, wanahamishwa kwenye mahali pa kuondoa taka. Uchumi wa linear ni hasara na kaboni nzito; si sawa na watu na sayari na haina kusaidia juhudi za Net Zero. Ingawa si kamilifu, uchumi wa mviringo ni endelevu zaidi. Uchumi wa mviringo unathamini kushiriki, kutumia tena, kuchakata, na kupunguza matumizi. Ili kufikia lengo la Umoja wa Mataifa la Net Zero ifikapo mwaka 2050, watu binafsi, biashara na mashirika ya umma yana jukumu la kucheza; wakati huo huo, uchumi wa ustawi unahitaji kudumisha heshima na kuhakikisha kila mtu ana rasilimali za kutosha kuishi vizuri duniani. "Kuhusu ufanisi wa nishati, ni jukumu la serikali kuhakikisha kwamba nishati mbadala na teknolojia nyingine za ""Net Zero"" zinagharimiwa na zinapatikana kwa umma kwa ujumla, na kwamba watu binafsi na biashara zinaweza kusaidia juhudi za ""Net Zero"" na chaguzi za ndani." "Kuwa na wasiwasi wa mazingira ni ""hofu ya siku zijazo za sayari"" kulingana na kile tunachojua sasa juu ya mabadiliko ya hali ya hewa na athari za kaboni katika anga." "Kukosa wasiwasi wa mazingira kunaweza kuathiri mtu yeyote, lakini kuna uwezekano mkubwa wa kuathiri watu wenye maarifa zaidi ya mgogoro wa hali ya hewa na hali halisi tunayoikabili. """ Wakati wasiwasi wa mazingira unasikika kuwa mbaya, unaweza pia kutumiwa kama motisha ya kusaidia juhudi za Net Zero, uendelevu, na Uchumi wa Ustawi. Eko-hangaiko inaweza kuwa changamoto ya kusimamia na huathiri uzalishaji; hiyo ni kwa nini biashara na mashirika inaweza kufaidika na msaada wa wenzao. Chakula ni sehemu muhimu ya uchumi, lakini njia zinazotengenezwa, kusambazwa, na kutumiwa zina athari kwa watu na sayari. Uzalishaji wa chakula kwa kiwango kikubwa huwakilisha robo ya uzalishaji wa gesi chafu ulimwenguni, ikiwa ni pamoja na usambazaji na baridi. Kuunda mfumo wa chakula endelevu zaidi inahitaji mabadiliko ya muundo kama vile mazoea endelevu ya kilimo, kupunguza taka ya chakula, na ustawi wa wanyama, lakini watu binafsi wana jukumu la kucheza katika chaguzi wanazofanya wakati wanapotembelea maduka makubwa kusaidia uzalishaji wa chakula wa maadili. Wakati eco-wasiwasi ni sehemu ya afya ya akili katika Wellbeing Uchumi, si sababu pekee. Jamii imejipanga kwa njia zinazounga mkono utumiaji na mkusanyiko wa utajiri, si afya ya kimwili, kihisia-moyo, na kiakili. Uchumi wa Ustawi ni kuhusu kubadilisha mienendo hii. Kuweka ustawi wa watu na wanyama katikati ya jamii ni njia bora ya kurekebisha vipaumbele na kuunda ulimwengu wa haki na endelevu zaidi. """Wakati watu wanathaminiwa zaidi kuliko utajiri, inabadilisha utaratibu wa jamii, inaboresha afya ya akili na inapatana na watu na sayari." Hapa ni mkusanyiko wa baadhi ya makala zetu ambayo yamekuwa katika magazeti yetu au kuchapishwa mahali pengine.