As climate change reshapes the global business landscape, a transformative approach is needed to ensure resilience and sustainability. This pressing need is addressed by The Circular Business Revolution: A practical framework for sustainable business models, co-authored by Julia Binder and Manuel Braun.
Published on 18 June, the book provides a comprehensive guide for business leaders to shift from the traditional linear ‘take-make-waste’ model to a circular, regenerative, and profitable business paradigm.
The authors, both renowned experts in sustainable business practices, offer insights grounded in extensive research and advisory experience. Julia Binder, Professor of Sustainable Innovation and Business Transformation and Director of IMD’s Center for Sustainable and Inclusive Business, and Manuel Braun, a lecturer at the Technical University of Munich and Director at Systemiq Ltd, leverage their expertise to present over 100 real-world case studies highlighting successful circular business innovations and providing practical examples and emerging trends in sustainability.
The book outlines five archetypal business models tailored for circular economies. It provides a proactive approach to integrating these models into existing business frameworks, ensuring not only environmental benefits but also long-term commercial viability. Binder and Braun emphasize the importance of aligning business strategies with sustainability goals to maintain competitive advantage and drive growth.
Key themes include the impact of ‘greenhushing’, the importance of new environmental, social, and governance (ESG) reporting measures, and how organizational structures can either facilitate or hinder progress toward sustainability. The book also guides leaders on what signals to watch for to stay ahead in the evolving market landscape.
Advance plaudits for The Circular Business Revolution underscore its relevance and practicality. Paul Polman, prominent business leader and co-author of Net Positive, describes the book as “practical, actionable, and written to deliver results,” highlighting its value for leaders seeking to embrace sustainable business models.
Judith Wiese, Managing Board Member of Siemens AG and Chief People and Sustainability Office, also offered praise, saying, “The circular business models described in this book have been a source of inspiration for us on our circularity journey. As one of the major topics of the future, circularity certainly needs to be on every business leader’s agenda.”
Offering exclusive insights on topics such as fostering innovation, adapting to changing customer expectations, and hiring for future-ready skills, this book is an essential resource for any business leader committed to navigating the complexities of sustainability in the modern economy.
Read the white paper on The Future of Circular Business
