APRIL 2022
2021 Impact Report
Metabolic’s mission is to transition the global economy to a fundamentally sustainable state. We envision a world where human societies and ecosystems flourish, and where our economic activities do not transgress any of the planetary boundaries.
We work with a growing network of partners, to equip organizations all over the world with tools and insights to catalyze this change. We conduct leading research, develop future-facing strategies, and build scalable solutions to critical problems.
Thank you for your interest in our 2021 report!
Message from our CEO
“Another year, another global crisis. Pandemics, wildfires, social unrest, wars — disasters seem to be pummeling us with greater speed, breadth, and intensity than ever before. In the face of all of this, it is easy to fall into despair. At the very least, it’s easy to lose faith that the actions of individuals or small organizations can actually make a difference in the face of such enormous pendulum swings.
But, the complex challenges we are facing globally can also trigger a more optimistic perspective. Both the COVID pandemic and the war in Ukraine have shown us how rapidly large-scale societal shifts can take place, even in contexts where power and existing behavioral patterns seemed calcified. The importance of elections and policy are on display; the impact of people’s movements has been strongly reconfirmed. We are repeatedly inspired to see and understand that even small actions can have outsized and long-lasting effects.
We also see this in our work. The projects and programs we run, increasingly as part of a broader ecosystem of like-minded organizations, start out as seeds. With enough nurturing and care, they grow into forests that transform the socio-economic landscape. Systems change is possible. We are continuously learning about what conditions need to be in place for it to take root.
As Metabolic gets ready to celebrate its 10th anniversary, we once again look back on the achievements of the past year. We are excited and energized to continue this work with our clients and partners, our strongest allies in charting the path toward an economy within planetary boundaries. We hope you can also take some inspiration from this work.”
— Eva Gladek, Founder and CEO
In 2021, we worked with partners all over the world
Highlights from 2024
Supporting SSE Renewables to develop a circular 2GW windfarm
Bax’s Circular Economy team was proud to have supported SSE Renewables, Pensioenfonds ABP, and APG in securing a permit to build a 2GW wind farm in the Netherlands. Circularity was a central component of the Netherlands’ Enterprise Agency’s evaluation of offers, making up 10% of the overall bid criteria. READ MORE
Releasing Bax’s open-source Innovation Readiness Levels methodology
This year saw the launch of Bax’s innovation methodology, Innovation Readiness Levels. Innovation Readiness Levels bring professional innovation management to mission-driven innovations, with objective frameworks that link missions to innovation actions. READ MORE
Bax’s Venture Studio Publiq expands to four ventures
Launched in December 2023, our venture studio Publiq increased its number of ventures to four in 2024, with Pendel and Healthy Cities joined by sharing economy network Digital Kiosks and affordable housing company Essential Housing. In 2025, Publiq aims to expand its impact through innovation ventures for the public good alongside Bax clients. READ MORE
Developing the next generation of Urban Health Analysis
Our healthy urban planning venture Healthy Cities launched the upgraded version of its tool for urban planners, the Healthy Cities Generator at the end of 2024. The overhauled tool, developed in collaboration with EIT Urban Mobility and the University of Lisbon, factors in the potential health cost savings associated with urban plans each year. READ MORE
Founding Europe’s leading network for sharing economy infrastructure
Led by Bax, the Digital Kiosks Network launched this year, promising to transform the sharing and rental economy. The new European network facilitates the sustainable implementation of sharing stations by working with more than 30 public authorities, housing providers, sharing station providers, brand manufacturers, researchers, and sharing economy practitioners. READ MORE
Repositioning to match our commitment to long-term societal transformation
Bax refreshed its mission and identity in 2024, reflecting our strong commitment to making societal impact happen on the ground. READ MORE
Helping the DUT drive urban transformation
In 2024, Bax confirmed its commitment to progressing Europe’s sustainable urban future with the launch of a four-year strategic collaboration with the Driving Urban Transitions (DUT) Partnership. Bax provides expert support on the strategic development of DUT’s three key Transition Pathways – 15-minute cities, circular economies, and positive energy districts. READ MORE
in this report
Cities and Regions
Cities are the foundation of our society and economy. We envision a new urban future, where cities and regions operate within planetary boundaries, and in line with sustainable, circular principles. Where strong communities are fostered, and local, sustainable, and resilient value chains are encouraged. Cities and regions should provide a habitat for humanity, while integrating natural elements that allow other species to thrive and seamlessly connect with biodiverse hinterlands.
To make this vision a reality, we worked with city governments, developers, architects, and other urban professionals to develop sustainable buildings, neighborhoods, cities, and regions.
Cities are the foundation of our society and economy. We envision a new urban future, where cities and regions operate within planetary boundaries, and in line with sustainable, circular principles. Where strong communities are fostered, and local, sustainable, and resilient value chains are encouraged. Cities and regions should provide a habitat for humanity, while integrating natural elements that allow other species to thrive and seamlessly connect with biodiverse hinterlands.
To make this vision a reality, we worked with city governments, developers, architects, and other urban professionals to develop sustainable buildings, neighborhoods, cities, and regions.
Here are a few highlighted projects from 2021:
Advancing Circular Bioeconomy in Urban Centres
Bax collaborates with the HOOP project to support eight European cities and regions in developing large-scale urban circular bioeconomy initiatives, focusing on transforming urban biowaste and wastewater into sustainable bio-based products.
WHAT WE DID
- Provided Project Development Assistance to build technical, economic, financial, and legal expertise for bio-based investments.
- Defined and tailored circular business models aligned with each city’s unique waste management strategies and resources.
- Assessed the potential of start-ups and scale-ups to facilitate the development of bankable projects.
OUR IMPACT
- Facilitated sustainable investments in the circular bio-based economy across Europe.
- Launched innovative projects aimed at valorizing urban biowaste and wastewater into bio-based products.
- Established the HOOP Urban Circular Bioeconomy Hub, a European network for exchanging best practices and lessons learned.
CONTACT PERSON(S)
Kees Joosten
Director, Utrecht Office
Johanna Reiland
- Innovation Consultant, Circular, Materials, Sharing
interested in learning more?
“The city of the future provides a place for everyone to live, work and thrive, while strengthening the natural systems that humanity and other species depend on.”
— Gerard Roemers, Cities Team lead
