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A giant yellow doughnut hangs in the sky, looked at by three figures standing with their backs to us.

WE ARE ALL
‍THE ECONOMY

LDEC is the London Doughnut Economy Coalition.

We are a growing group of Londoners who believe our city’s economy needs to work better; for people, place and planet. And that a thriving London should no longer be a byproduct of a system over which we have little control: We are all the economy.

As part of a global network offering a more optimistic future, we’re developing practical projects based on the principles of Doughnut Economics. The potential is huge and the outcomes exciting. We are building momentum, we just need you.
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GET INVOLVED

Empowered Neighbourhoods

A pair of trees, one with a face. A London bus passing

Safe & Ecological High Streets

A collage of buildings, white for windows, red, green and blue shapes for doors and walls

Nourishing Food for all

A raddish in collage style

London Earthshots - pathways to a safe and just future

We believe our three Earthshots can change the economic story of London.

Change body copy to:These are not small pilots; to change the system, they will require multi-partner engagement spanning politics, finance, property and community. Earthshots are about big changes.

These (and the wide change for which we advocate) are enabled by our set of five Circuit Breakers - areas of interest in which we are exploring new ways of working in support of a better economy.

Earthshots and Circuit Breakers are an essential foundation of LDEC’s activities, recognising not only the opportunity for London, but also the complexity of the challenges we face.

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The London City Portrait Map - A green hoop (the doughnut) labelled 'THE SAFE AND JUST SPACE FOR LONDON". The outer edge is labelled as 'Ecological Ceiling' and the inner edge as 'Social Floor'. The outside of the green hoop has been divided into 12 portions - and labelled with the earth's planetary boundaries. They are: Climate change (due to carbon emissions), Ocean acidification (due to carbon emissions)Material footprintEcological footprintBiogeochemical flows (Nitrogen)Biogeochemical flows (Phosphate)Land-system change (Woodland)Freshwater use (Blue water)Atmospheric aerosol loading / Air pollution Biosphere integrityNovel entities / Chemical pollutionStratospheric ozone layer depletion. All are big red overshoots except air pollution which we haven't breached. The final three have no data. The inside of the doughnut, the social floor is divided into 15 sections. These are: Mobility, Culture, Connectivity, Food, Water, Health, Education, Housing, Energy, Income & Work, Social Equity, Equality, Community & Networks, Political Voice, Peace & Justice. There are big red underperformance lines - falling short on most things except Political Voice, Culture, Mobility and Connectivity .

LONDON THRIVES BUT NOT FOR EVERYONE

London is a fantastic and dynamic city. But poverty and inequality are rising. Neighbourhoods, small businesses, health and wellbeing are all under pressure. And London’s environmental footprint is contributing to ecological strain across and far beyond the city to a global level. 
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This image is our view of London’s status, socially and environmentally.  We’ve used the Doughnut framework to help us see these pressures together in one place, based on our City Portrait, which provides the evidence that guides our work and inspires change.

Read more about THE CITY PORTRAIT

HOW WE'RE CREATING 
CHANGE IN LONDON

We’re bringing Londoners together with their communities, leaders and institutions to explore practical ways of building a thriving city. Our approach blends modern economic thinking with real‑world experience - optimistic and ambitious interventions which we feel can unlock the systemic transformation we want to see.

Read more about us

Mother in a red hoody and purple trousers smiles at her son as they walk towards us. He is wearing a blue jumper and green trousers. They both have black hair
A collage of the river thames with coloured dots above and below

TURN AMBITION
‍INTO ACTION

Our work centres on three Earthshots; the major areas where making progress and solving these challenges would transform life for Londoners. They’re the issues that, if we get right, change everything.

Five coalition Hubs provide the connective tissue of this work, convening those with the agency and responsibility to shape our economic system. By strengthening these spaces, we create the conditions for the Earthshots to succeed. This approach helps us stay focused, practical and open to everyone who wants to get involved.

Underpinning everything is our Data, Evidence and Celebration team. A constant, like the Thames, they provide the evidence base for fairer, more effective decision-making.

READ MORE ABOUT OUR WORK

STORIES

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Why are wages so low we need in-work tax credits to pay our bills?

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STORY TITLE THAT RUNS ONTOTWO LINES LIKE THIS

Why are wages so low we need in-work tax credits to pay our bills?

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STORY TITLE THAT RUNS ONTOTWO LINES LIKE THIS

Why are wages so low we need in-work tax credits to pay our bills?

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STORY TITLE THAT RUNS ONTOTWO LINES LIKE THIS

Why are wages so low we need in-work tax credits to pay our bills?

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STORY TITLE THAT RUNS ONTOTWO LINES LIKE THIS

Why are wages so low we need in-work tax credits to pay our bills?

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STORY TITLE THAT RUNS ONTOTWO LINES LIKE THIS

Why are wages so low we need in-work tax credits to pay our bills?

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EVERYONE HAS  
A PART TO PLAY

The London Doughnut Economy Coalition (LDEC), is a coalition of residents, community groups, businesses, researchers and city leaders who want to help shape a better future for London. You just need to live or work in London and care about our city. You don’t need to be an expert. You can simply join in, learn, and contribute in a way that works for you. Whether you want to support the work, collaborate on projects or take part in events and conversations - this is our invitation to you.

JOIN US

An illustration of a woman with dark hair and a white earing, smiling in a red coat as she carries bags that have the words shop local on them

PROJECTS

STORY TITLE THAT RUNS ONTOTWO LINES LIKE THIS

Why are wages so low we need in-work tax credits to pay our bills?

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STORY TITLE THAT RUNS ONTOTWO LINES LIKE THIS

Why are wages so low we need in-work tax credits to pay our bills?

Read more

STORY TITLE THAT RUNS ONTOTWO LINES LIKE THIS

Why are wages so low we need in-work tax credits to pay our bills?

Read more

STORY TITLE THAT RUNS ONTOTWO LINES LIKE THIS

Why are wages so low we need in-work tax credits to pay our bills?

Read more

STORY TITLE THAT RUNS ONTOTWO LINES LIKE THIS

Why are wages so low we need in-work tax credits to pay our bills?

Read more

STORY TITLE THAT RUNS ONTOTWO LINES LIKE THIS

Why are wages so low we need in-work tax credits to pay our bills?

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