Our Advocacy - SLABM
ICSD
Our Advocacy
Sufficiency-driven Lifestyle and Business Model (SLABM)
Do you know the ocean is expected to contain three times more plastic than fish by 2025? Since 1970, the world has been working on recycling plastic. However, it is not the best option because the carbon footprint may be higher than you expect in the recycling process.
Inspired by Professor Nancy Bocken*, the advocacy: Sufficiency-driven Lifestyle and Business Model (SLABM) was created by ICSD to advocate the sufficient personal lifestyle and informs corporations about the transformation into the sufficiency-driven business model.
*Professor Nancy Bocken is an expert in sustainable business models and Professor at Maastricht University.
Background
With increased pressure on natural resources and a growing population and middle class, it is time for a transformation in lifestyle and business models. Overconsumption is one of the root causes of environmental problems. The ambition of businesses to over-expand their production capacity for achieving scale of economy (because once the production’s break-even point is passed, a large contribution margin for profit will be greatly enhanced!). Companies' business models, such as fast fashion, are always regarded as unsustainable. There are numerous recycling techniques, such as thrifting and donating. However, the difficulty and hidden costs in recycling processes, such as energy consumption and transportation costs, have gone unnoticed. As a result, in addition to producing solutions, ICSD works on pre-purchase and mentality change, preventing the problem in the first place as well as promoting sufficiency-driven business models.
Solutions
So, what is SLABM?
In simple terms, 4R (Refuse, Reduce, Reuse and Recycle).
SLABM focuses on the two ends in the business-to-consumer (B2C) model, moderating and mitigating the impact of the consumption behaviour. Individuals are urged to prioritise necessities over desires and make responsible decisions whereas, companies are encouraged to develop sustainable production methods, manufacturing techniques and supply networks, emphasising long-lasting design and extending product life. And these will alter consumers' behaviour and benefit both the society and the environment.
Advocacies of our SLBAM Advocacy
Here are a few advocacies of the SLBAM Advocacy to push forward ARR.
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Individuals: Control their desire to overconsume and engage in shared goods and services, such as Airbnb and nextbike.
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Businesses: Replace current marketing techniques' and campaigns' goal of increasing sales with building long-term relationships. For instance, Patagonia's "Don't buy this jacket" campaign discourages impulsive purchases and encourages shop for value, resulting in a loyal customer base.
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Extend the product life by ensuring they are repairable and durable.
The above advocacies will be implemented via education, theme talks, conferences, researches, etc.
ICSD and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
Overall, ICSD aims to contribute to the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs) set by the United Nations General Assembly in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. It is a call for action to a collaborative effort in contributing to peace and prosperity.
Resources and References:
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Business for sufficiency database: https://www.circularx.eu/en/tool/26/business-for-sufficiency-database
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Bocken, N. M., & Short, S. W. (2016). Towards a sufficiency-driven business model: Experiences and opportunities. Environmental innovation and societal transitions, 18, 41-61.
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Bocken, N. M., & Short, S. W. (2020). Transforming business models: towards a sufficiency-based circular economy. In Handbook of the circular economy (pp. 250-265). Edward Elgar Publishing.
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Bocken, N., Morales, L. S., & Lehner, M. (2020). Sufficiency business strategies in the food industry—The case of Oatly. Sustainability, 12(3), 824.
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Niessen, L., & Bocken, N. M. (2021). How can businesses drive sufficiency? The business for sufficiency framework. Sustainable Production and Consumption, 28, 1090-1103.
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Bocken, N. M., Niessen, L., & Short, S. W. (2022). The sufficiency-based circular economy—an analysis of 150 companies. Frontiers in sustainability, 3, 899289.
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Niessen, L., Bocken, N. M., & Dijk, M. (2023). Sufficiency as trend or tradition?—Uncovering business pathways to sufficiency through historical advertisements. Frontiers in sustainability, 4, 1165682.
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Niessen, L., Bocken, N. M., & Dijk, M. (2023). The impact of business sufficiency strategies on consumer practices: The case of bicycle subscription. Sustainable Production and Consumption, 35, 576-591.