Overview

The Doughnut Economics tools are a set of practical frameworks and resources designed to help users apply Doughnut Economics in real-world decision-making. Their main purpose is to support analysis and planning that balances social foundations with ecological limits. Finance professionals may find the tools relevant for understanding systemic sustainability risks and aligning economic activity with long-term environmental and social thresholds.

Organisation behind the tool

The tools are developed and maintained by Doughnut Economics Action Lab (DEAL). DEAL is an international organisation founded to translate the Doughnut Economics framework into practical applications. It works with cities, businesses, public institutions, and community groups through partnerships, pilot projects, and open-source resources.

What the tool does

The Doughnut Economics tools provide structured guidance and visual frameworks to support sustainable economic analysis and strategy, including:

• Conceptual models illustrating social and ecological boundaries within which economic activity should operate.
• Diagnostic tools to assess current performance against social foundations and environmental ceilings.
• Guides and worksheets for applying the framework at city, regional, organisational, or sector level.
• Case studies demonstrating practical implementation in public policy and business contexts.
• Downloadable reports, templates, and learning resources to support analysis and discussion.

The tools are primarily qualitative and framework-based rather than data-heavy analytical platforms.

Target audience

The primary users are policymakers, city planners, and public-sector organisations.
Secondary audiences include businesses, investors, researchers, civil society organisations, and educators interested in sustainable economic models and systems thinking.

Relevance to finance professionals

For finance professionals, the tools can inform strategic and contextual analysis rather than direct financial modelling:

Risk assessment – supports identification of systemic environmental and social risks that may affect long-term economic stability and asset resilience.

ESG analysis – provides a conceptual structure for assessing whether activities align with minimum social standards and environmental limits.

Market and sector context – helps frame exposure to resource constraints, biodiversity loss, climate pressures, and social shortfalls across regions or sectors.

Investment context – useful for long-term thinking on sustainable growth, transition risk, and alignment with economy-wide sustainability pathways.

The tools are best used as a high-level analytical lens rather than a source of quantitative financial metrics.