Towards an ecological metaphor for regenerative circular economies

Zisopoulos, F.K., Fath, B. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9440-6842, Meirelles De Oliveira, B., Toboso-Chavero, S., D'Assenza-David, H., de Souza, V.M., Huang, H., Scrieciu, Ş., Clark, O.G., Noll, D., Singh, S., Stefanakis, A., Boyd, G., Schraven, D., & de Jong, M. (2025). Towards an ecological metaphor for regenerative circular economies. Ecological Economics 231 e108545. 10.1016/j.ecolecon.2025.108545.

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Abstract

An ecological metaphor can enable transitions towards regenerative circular economies. Yet, this potential remains latent because its conceptual development, which is a prerequisite for its practical operationalization, is in its incipient phase and largely vague. To strengthen its epistemological underpinning, we propose a forward-looking interdisciplinary research agenda which brings together theories, ontological positions, analytical approaches, and strategies of action from ecological economics, panarchy theory, socio-metabolic research, process ecology, environ network theory, the constructal law, nature-based solutions, complexity economics, doughnut economics, regenerative economics, and ergodicity economics. The agenda facilitates the concentration, consolidation, and acceleration of theoretical and methodological innovation for the generation and accumulation of a diverse yet coherent body of knowledge on the interpretation of the process of regeneration and for illuminating the ways in which regenerative circular economies may function.

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