What does Doughnut Economics mean for engineers making decisions in the real world?
Doughnut Economics, developed by economist Kate Raworth, offers a simple but powerful framing for sustainable development: a world where everyone’s needs are met within the limits of the planet. The “doughnut” visualises a safe and just space for humanity – bounded on the inside by social foundations such as health, education and equity, and on the outside by planetary boundaries we cannot afford to overshoot.
In this webinar, Doughnut Economics for engineers: From theory to practice, we were joined by Ilektra Kouloumpi, a sustainability engineering and post-growth economics expert, and Sectors Lead at the Doughnut Economics Action Lab; Mike Sefton, an Associate at Expedition Engineering; and Ian Poole, Innovation Lead and Environmental Steward at Elliott Wood.
Together, we explored how Doughnut Economics can support engineers to make more informed, responsible and impactful choices, and why it matters. We’ve distilled some of the key insights below.
1. Engineering decisions are never neutral
Tools commonly used to guide design – such as efficiency, cost or short-term performance metrics – can unintentionally narrow what “good” work looks like, sidelining social outcomes, environmental limits and long-term impact. Doughnut Economics was discussed not as a checklist, but as a lens that helps engineers step back and ask different questions: who benefits, who bears the cost, and whether solutions operate within both planetary boundaries and social foundations.
2. Participation shapes positive outcomes
Power and participation emerged as another central theme. How decisions are often made far from the people most affected by them, and how meaningful engagement needs to happen earlier – shaping the problem, not just validating a solution.
3. Engineers can’t act responsibly without the permission to challenge
Participants surfaced an often-overlooked challenge in engineering practice: having the power, and permission, to say no. Whether due to commercial pressure, institutional norms or professional hierarchies, engineers are not always supported to challenge briefs, reject harmful options, or pause projects that sit outside social or environmental limits.
4. Global responsibility depends on collective capability
Crucially, the conversation moved beyond individual responsibility. Globally responsible engineering cannot rely on ethically minded individuals acting alone. Instead, it requires collective capability: supportive organisational cultures, shared values, and aligned incentives that give engineers the confidence and legitimacy to raise concerns, question assumptions and make different choices together.
5. There are no perfect answers
The session also pushed back against the search for perfect answers. Doughnut Economics does not promise simple solutions or fixed rules. What it offers instead is a way of working with complexity: recognising limits, grappling with uncertainty, and making deliberate choices about who benefits and at what cost.
The conversation closed on a clear message: Doughnut Economics, and the wider challenge of global responsibility, asks engineers to design in ways that don’t just avoid harm, but actively contribute to a fairer and more resilient future. It’s not about having all the answers. It’s about having the mindsets, tools and collective support to make better decisions – decisions that are honest about trade-offs and aligned with the realities of the world we’re designing for.
What’s next in this conversation?
This webinar offered an introduction to Doughnut Economics and a high-level view of what it can unlock for engineering practice. But it also made clear that there’s much more to explore.
We’re keen to continue this series by going deeper into the practical realities of applying these ideas, through real-world case studies, thematic discussions (such as influencing organisational change or drawing on Indigenous and place-based knowledge), and sector-specific deep dives that reflect the contexts engineers are working within.
If Doughnut Economics is to move from theory into everyday practice, these are the kinds of conversations that need space. We’re looking forward to continuing them with the Engineers Without Borders community.
If you’d like to propose a topic, please get in touch with us at [email protected].
A special thanks to Ilektra Kouloumpi and the Doughnut Economics Action Lab for supporting this session, as well as our speakers – Mike Sefton, Expedition Engineering; and Ian Poole, Elliott Wood.
