The Circular Economy: The Butterfly Diagram, Systems Theory and the Economic Pluriverse

Keith Skene; Andrea Oarga-Mulec

doi:10.55845/LIXE9236

The Circular Economy: The Butterfly Diagram, Systems Theory and the Economic Pluriverse

Keith Skene (Lead / Corresponding author)
, Andrea Oarga-Mulec

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

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Abstract

One of the most significant challenges facing policy makers and business alike is how to integrate sustainability policy and practice across economics, environment and society. The linkages between these arenas are fundamental to determining the direction of change required. The circular economy is seen as a part of the solution in terms of reducing natural and technological source-and-sink concerns, but significant issues arise concerning biological nutrients and with the concepts of resilience, regeneration and restoration, when viewed through the lens of systems theory. Supply chains represent essential elements in this process, having played active roles in shaping environmental and social history. The role of trade in cultural evolution is explored, highlighting socio-economic linkages. Challenges related to the classic butterfly diagram are identified and a further metamorphosis of this analogy is presented. The concept of an economic pluriverse, nested within a social and ecological pluriverse, is developed.

Original language	English
Number of pages	25
Journal	Journal of circular economy
Volume	2
Issue number	3
Early online date	8 Aug 2024
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.55845/LIXE9236
Publication status	Published - 31 Dec 2024

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

SDG 8 Decent Work and Economic Growth
SDG 12 Responsible Consumption and Production

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10.55845/LIXE9236Licence: CC BY

Final published versionFinal published version, 720 KBLicence: CC BY

1 Chapter (peer-reviewed)
1 Article

Sustainable Economics: Uniting the Environmental, Social and Economic Pluriverse
Skene, K. R. (Lead / Corresponding author) & Oarga-Mulec, A. (Lead / Corresponding author), 24 Jan 2026, Green International Business: Strategies, Research and Goals. Alvarez-Risco, A., Senthilkannan-Muthu, S. & Del-Aguila-Arcentales, S. (eds.). 1 ed. Cham, Switzerland: Springer Nature, p. 1-15 15 p. (Environmental Footprints and Eco-design of Products and Processes).
Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter (peer-reviewed) › peer-review
A dynamic biome-specific governance approach that integrates indigenous knowledge and pluriversal thinking
Oarga-Mulec, A. (Lead / Corresponding author) & Skene, K. R., 14 Dec 2025, (E-pub ahead of print) In: Humanities and Social Sciences Communications. 13, p. 1-12 12 p., 97.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

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Cite this

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The Circular Economy: The Butterfly Diagram, Systems Theory and the Economic Pluriverse

Abstract

UN SDGs

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Research output

Sustainable Economics: Uniting the Environmental, Social and Economic Pluriverse

A dynamic biome-specific governance approach that integrates indigenous knowledge and pluriversal thinking

Cite this