The Doughnut Design for Business tool was developed by the Doughnut Economics Action Lab (DEAL), a UK-based non-profit organisation. DEAL works to bring Doughnut Economics—an economic model focused on meeting human needs within ecological limits—into practical use by institutions, communities and businesses.
This specific tool is designed for businesses seeking to align their strategies with social and environmental sustainability goals. It is hosted on the DEAL website and is publicly accessible. The tool presents a curated set of case studies where companies have applied the Doughnut Economics framework to guide decision-making, assess impact, and shift their business models.
The target audience includes business leaders, sustainability teams, strategy departments and consultants. It is particularly relevant for finance professionals in roles such as ESG reporting, impact investing, sustainability risk assessment, and corporate strategy.
Each case study follows a standardised format, which includes:
- A brief profile of the business
- The Doughnut design workshop or activity undertaken
- Key outcomes and business impacts
- Insights and lessons learned
The tool allows users to filter case studies by sector, location, size, and the level of Doughnut design engagement. This makes it easy to find examples relevant to particular industries or company contexts.
For finance professionals, the tool offers practical insight into how sustainability frameworks like Doughnut Economics can be integrated into core business activities. It may inform:
- Strategic investment decisions, by understanding how peers have integrated environmental and social constraints into operations.
- ESG and impact reporting, through exposure to measurable outcomes achieved by participating companies.
- Risk management, by identifying sustainability risks addressed through Doughnut-aligned practices.
- Stakeholder engagement, by referencing tested methods for aligning business values with broader societal and ecological goals.
The tool does not prescribe financial metrics but shows how holistic, systems-based thinking can guide business resilience and long-term value creation. It also supports finance professionals working with integrated reporting, as it connects sustainability actions to governance and strategic outcomes.
In summary, the Doughnut Design for Business tool is a practical, case-based resource supporting companies in exploring Doughnut Economics. For finance professionals, it offers concrete examples of how sustainability principles are being applied across industries and geographies to guide business model innovation, reporting, and decision-making.
