What is a regenerative economy?
The step beyond sustainable and circular: not less harm, but systems that actively build more value — social, ecological and economic.
From less bad to more value
A regenerative economy does more than limit harm — it actively strengthens social, ecological and economic value. Where sustainable aims for “less bad” and circular retains the value of materials, regenerative goes a step further. Through carbon sequestration alone, New Economy estimates a potential of around €31 billion in societal value per year for the Netherlands.
Explore The Regenerative HeartSustainable, circular or regenerative?
The three terms are often used interchangeably, but they differ fundamentally in level of ambition. Regenerative does not replace sustainable or circular; it is the next level of ambition.
| Approach | Core principle | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| Sustainable | Less bad | Limits negative impact |
| Circular | Retain value | Keeps the value of materials in loops |
| Regenerative | More value | Actively strengthens social, ecological and economic value |
From “less bad” to “more value”. That is the core. Sustainability asks: how is less harm caused? Regeneration asks: how does a place, product or programme leave its surroundings actively better — ecologically, socially and economically at once? It is not compensation, but value creation.
Applying it in six steps
Regenerative design follows a structured approach:
- Define the question and system boundaries
- Analyse value streams and impact
- Formulate design principles
- Develop concept variants
- Test effects and feasibility
- Develop a prototype or pilot
Does it pay off?
Yes — regeneration is not a cost but a value engine. For the Netherlands, through carbon sequestration alone, New Economy estimates a potential of around €31 billion per year in societal value: not compensation, but new, restorative value for nature, climate and the economy.
Further reading
An economy that designs products, concepts and programmes that actively contribute to restoration and value creation, rather than only limiting harm. In short: from ‘less bad’ to ‘more value’.
Sustainable is about being less bad — limiting negative impact. Regenerative actively adds value: it leaves a system socially, ecologically and economically stronger than before.
Circular keeps the value of materials in loops. Regenerative is broader: alongside material value it also strengthens social and ecological value.
Yes. New Economy estimates a potential of around €31 billion per year in societal value for the Netherlands through carbon sequestration alone — value creation, not compensation.
Through a structured six-step approach: from defining the question and system boundaries, through analysis and design principles, to concept variants, testing and a prototype or pilot.
Two steps beyond sustainable
New Economy is a regenerative consultancy and creative concept developer. From analysis and calculation to a concrete, well-founded regenerative concept for a business, product, community, municipality or province.
Plan a conversation