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Teaching Material

Butterfly Diagram

Target GroupBachelor, MasterResource TypeCase StudyDomainSpecific Knowledge, Sustainable Economy Transformation, Sustainability Strategy: Management and Reporting, Sustainable Value Chain Management and Circular EconomyDuration2h to ≤ 4hAuthorEllen MacArthur foundation
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Summary

Instructors can use the illustration to present students with a systemic visualization of a circular economy, distinguishing between the technical and biological cycles and identifying the different value-retention options across liner supply chain.

Relevant SDGs

Icon für SDG 4Icon für SDG 12

How to use

  • It can be integrated into traditional lecture formats and next to an introduction to the circular economy principles and related topics such as waste management hierarchies and business model innovation. In can be used as a prompt for material flow mapping or business redesign in in-class workshops.
  • Faculty should get acquainted with the structure of the diagram and familiar with systems thinking approaches. High resolution diagram files, diagram explanations and supporting case studies can be found on the Foundation’s website. The diagram can also be used as a prompt for individual or group assignments where students can apply critical thinking around circularity. 

Teaching format tip

Case Study

Assign students specific analytical roles before presenting the case. Use structured questioning protocols to guide examination of stakeholder perspectives, decision points, and systemic factors. Have students work in small groups to develop competing recommendations, then debate solutions using evidence from the case. Conclude with reflection on reasoning processes and assumptions that influenced their analysis.

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  • Resources
    Subject area
    • General KnowledgeThis section provides general frameworks and concepts related to sustainability that can be used in any discipline and across industries.
    • Specific KnowledgeThis section provides sustainability related content that would enable students following a business or management degree or course to be better equipped to face sustainability related challenges.
      • Economics
      • Management
      • Finance, banking, insurance
      • Marketing and advertising
    Competence area
    • Problem-solving
    • Critical thinking
    • Self-awareness
    • Collaboration
    • Normative awareness
    • Anticipatory thinking
    • Systems thinking
    • Strategy
    Learning approach
    • Cognitive learning
    • Socio-emotional learning
    • Behavioural learning
    • Subject area
      • General KnowledgeGeneral knowledge represents foundational understanding across multiple disciplines needed for sustainable development. It creates an integrated mindset that connects basic and advanced topics across various knowledge domains.
      • Economics
      • Management
      • Finance, banking, insurance
      • Marketing and advertising
    • Skill area
      • Problem-solving
      • Critical thinking
      • Self-awareness
      • Collaboration
      • Normative awareness
      • Anticipatory thinking
      • Systems thinking
      • Strategy
    • Learning approach
      • Cognitive learning
      • Socio-emotional learning
      • Behavioural learning
  • Communities
  • Education for sustainability
  • About us
  • Resources
    Subject area
    • General KnowledgeThis section provides general frameworks and concepts related to sustainability that can be used in any discipline and across industries.
    • Specific KnowledgeThis section provides sustainability related content that would enable students following a business or management degree or course to be better equipped to face sustainability related challenges.
      • Economics
      • Management
      • Finance, banking, insurance
      • Marketing and advertising
    Competence area
    • Problem-solving
    • Critical thinking
    • Self-awareness
    • Collaboration
    • Normative awareness
    • Anticipatory thinking
    • Systems thinking
    • Strategy
    Learning approach
    • Cognitive learning
    • Socio-emotional learning
    • Behavioural learning
    • Subject area
      • General KnowledgeGeneral knowledge represents foundational understanding across multiple disciplines needed for sustainable development. It creates an integrated mindset that connects basic and advanced topics across various knowledge domains.
      • Economics
      • Management
      • Finance, banking, insurance
      • Marketing and advertising
    • Skill area
      • Problem-solving
      • Critical thinking
      • Self-awareness
      • Collaboration
      • Normative awareness
      • Anticipatory thinking
      • Systems thinking
      • Strategy
    • Learning approach
      • Cognitive learning
      • Socio-emotional learning
      • Behavioural learning
  • Communities
  • Education for sustainability
  • About us
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