Thinking in cycles

The last few decades have been strongly characterised by the traditional concept of the linear economy, whose business models largely ignore the finite nature of natural resources and the responsibility of producers for their products even after they have been sold. The effects of this ‘taste-make-waste’ approach are devastating - climate change, overuse of natural resources and loss of biodiversity are just some of the negative effects. The transformation of this economic system, including the adaptation of existing business models, has therefore become a major challenge for our society and economy.

In this context, the concept of the circular economy is seen as a promising alternative: a circular economic system and circular business models are designed in such a way that products, resources, materials and energy remain in the cycle for as long as possible. In addition to the careful use of natural resources, this approach also opens up new value creation opportunities for companies, for example through repairing, offering additional services or upcycling. Switching to circular cycles also has a positive effect on the cost structure of companies, as the use of expensive primary resources can generally be increasingly avoided.

The Circular Economy & Innovation Certificate Programme provides participants with the necessary practical knowledge to understand aspects of the circular economy as a whole and to apply them strategically and conceptually in their context. Graduates of this certificate programme have up-to-date and unique know-how in the field of the circular economy that goes far beyond the waste management and recycling topics previously understood by the term, and also demonstrates the high innovation potential for companies. This certificate programme combines transdisciplinary knowledge acquisition with a high degree of practical orientation and offers an overview of both the latest scientific findings and the current regulatory and legal framework.

You can find more information about the programme on the German page.