Beyond sustainability: Regenerative economy principles and business practice

Based on the results of CROSS-REIS training session on "Building capacities and the knowledge base for regenerative economy stewardship", held at EMEA, in Barcelona, on October 30th 2024, the paper offers an overview of regenerative economy definitions and principles, with an excursus through the concepts of net-positive business, how regeneration differs from sustainability and circularity paradigms, system value creation, regenerative finance, the delivery of better growth, and the application of flow network theory principles to characterize Regenerative Innovation eco-Systems (REIS). future research directions are suggested to build up regenerative innovation living labs engaging citizens, experts and decision makers in different regions of Europe, aiming to raise awareness on the regenerative economy challenges and opportunities and assess if present and future quality of life is enough for all living beings - i.e. the aim of regenerative economy transition.