Regenerative system thinking as the Blueprint for Green Entrepreneurship
Let’s face it, we’ve got big dreams for the planet but there’s a massive gap between knowing and doing. To bridge that gap, Kasper Benjamin Reimer Bjørkskov, founder of a non-profit research agency, articulated a framework: Regenerative System Thinking (RST).
Since the root of the lies in human behavior (well, except from Trump’s point of view), the Regenerative System Thinking approach brings together technology, the humanities, the social and natural sciences to ensure that “knowledge isn’t just acquired but acted upon” (Kasper Benjamin Reimer Bjørkskov). This system design offers a clearer picture of societal and ecological needs and turns complex, real world challenges into regenerative solutions.
RST moves beyond sustainability. It isn’t just about minimizing harm, it is about actively restoring and regenerating ecosystems and communities. And isn’t it the point? Because if we’re serious about climate action, we’ve got to move beyond the talk and actually start doing the work.
How RST could enable Green Entrepreneurs to thrive ?
Glad you asked. It’s the ultimate cheat code for green entrepreneurs ready to build businesses that heal, not harm. When combined with green entrepreneurship, RST offers a new paradigm: one that not only sustains but regenerates ecological and social systems.
Here is an example of how entrepreneurs could use this approach for business purpose.
“2025, and you’re done.
Done with the routine.
Wake up. Subway. Work. Come home. Sleep.
Repeat.
You’ve been feeling it for a while now. You want more than just a paycheck. You want meaning. You want to build something real.
So here you are, thinking: What if I started my own coffee shop?
Not just any coffee shop. Not another version of Starbucks, no.
A business that treats people and the planet with respect.
A place where regenerative approach isn’t just a buzzword but the blueprint.
Sounds good, right? But how do you start? How do you go from idea to impact?
That’s where RST comes in.
And it starts right now.
Regenerative system thinking isn’t just another pretty diagram. It is an practical methodology that empowers green entrepreneurs with the tools to launch clean and green businesses. The combination of RST with green entrepreneurship unlocks potential for a new generation of ventures. Ventures that actively repair, restore, and rethink the systems we live in.
Yet, we must acknowledge the limits of this approach. RST isn’t merely about prototyping traditional solutions. It’s about designing targeted interactions and observing how the system reacts. This process isn’t linear and its effectiveness depends on depends on context, commitment, and continuous learning.
Understanding green entrepreneurship from a regenerative perspective challenges us to go beyond fixed models. It invites us to adopt a mindset of observation and humility where every action is an opportunity to learn from the system, not an opportunity to control it. A blueprint isn’t a rigid plan but a living framework.
Sources
Bjørkskov, K. B. R. (2024, May 29). The dawn of regenerative leadership: Steering away from ecological bankruptcy. illuminem. Retrieved from https://illuminem.com/illuminemvoices/the-dawn-of-regenerative-leadership-steering-away-from-ecological-bankruptcy
La pensée systémique régénérative: Une méthode pour transformer l’intention en action. The Good Wave. https://www.thegoodwave.be/fr/inspiration-et-outils/la-pens%C3%A9e-syst%C3%A9mique-r%C3%A9g%C3%A9n%C3%A9rative-une-m%C3%A9thode-pour-transformer-lintention-en-action?lang=fr