08
SHOP︎
SINTEZO
Circularity - From Framework to Culture
Edition 8 - OUT NOW
March 2026
While the circular economy concept has gained a degree of traction across different circles — including government, business and academia — it is far from being universally accepted as a definitive strategy that economies have to adopt. Yet, irrespective of its uneven acceptance, it is increasingly clear that circularity, in its broadest interpretation, offers profound opportunities. It can make economies more sustainable, productive and efficient, while fostering innovation and opening new pathways to address some of the major global and national challenges facing contemporary societies, particularly those of the developed world.
According to the Sustainable Development Report 2023 (Sachs et al.), Australia ranked 40th out of 166 countries on global progress toward the UN Sustainable Development Goals, with an SDG Index score of around 76. When compared with other OECD members in that same list, Australia sits among the lowest-ranked countries, placing it in the lower third of the group.
That result echos the CSIRO’s 2024 Material Flow Analysis, which found that Australia’s economy was only 3.7% circular, compared to a global average of 7.2%. The Australian Bureau of Statistics places the national circularity rate at roughly 4.3%, with Australians consuming an average of 38 tonnes of material per person each year, more than three times the global mean. These numbers highlight both a challenge and an opportunity: despite the high level of material use, the loop remains largely open. The Centre for Future Materials (University of Southern Queensland) cites a range of barriers to circularity, from lack of collaboration and system complexity to inconsistent standards, regulation and the high cost of transport across vast distances. These findings align closely with the Australian Productivity Commission’s 2025 inquiry into the circular economy, which sought to identify precisely how such barriers could be reduced and the much-discussed potential of circularity in Australia could finally be realised.
The Core Question
Perhaps at the heart of circularity’s future lies a deceptively simple question: What specific problems does a circular economy address more effectively than conventional economic models?
Until this question is answered clearly; for local authorities, policy makers, business leaders and citizens alike, circularity risks remaining an attractive abstraction rather than an applied transformation. Most Australians still have only a vague understanding of what circularity entails. Without a narrative that fosters a culture of circularity, there is a risk of imposing change from the top down; a strategy that almost always incurs higher costs, greater resistance and reduced long-term success.
Circularity should not be confined to large enterprises alone. It needs to be embraced by the entire business ecosystem and the wider community; embedded in everyday life, consumption patterns and production processes. Achieving this requires clearer, more regionally grounded narratives tailored to distinct social and economic realities across Australia.
Why This Edition?
There is, across Australia, an impressive and growing body of smart, creative and determined work dedicated to advancing circular practices. SINTEZO #8 explores that work and the ideas behind it. This edition curates a collection of perspectives and insights that aim to help this conversation mature across sectors, scales and disciplines. As SINTEZO itself was borne through collaboration, the editors acknowledge that collaboration also thrives on experimentation, even at small scales. In that spirit, this edition is produced through an expanded editorial collaboration. SINTEZO welcomes Dr Keith Noble, a regular contributor whose expertise spans regional planning, ecology and resilience and Cassandra Cazzulino, Chief Executive of Smart Precinct NQ and one of northern Australia’s leading voices in circular-economy development, as guest co-editors for this issue. Together, they sourced contributions that added substance and texture to the national conversation about circularity, its meanings, mechanisms and prospects for strategic growth. These contributions are stamped with an outline of the NQ coastline adjacent to the page number.
Dr Keith Noble
Cassandra Cazzulino
Jelenko Dragisic
Caroline Austin
Editorial Team | March 2026
Circularity - From Framework to Culture
Edition 8 - OUT NOW
March 2026
While the circular economy concept has gained a degree of traction across different circles — including government, business and academia — it is far from being universally accepted as a definitive strategy that economies have to adopt. Yet, irrespective of its uneven acceptance, it is increasingly clear that circularity, in its broadest interpretation, offers profound opportunities. It can make economies more sustainable, productive and efficient, while fostering innovation and opening new pathways to address some of the major global and national challenges facing contemporary societies, particularly those of the developed world.
According to the Sustainable Development Report 2023 (Sachs et al.), Australia ranked 40th out of 166 countries on global progress toward the UN Sustainable Development Goals, with an SDG Index score of around 76. When compared with other OECD members in that same list, Australia sits among the lowest-ranked countries, placing it in the lower third of the group.
That result echos the CSIRO’s 2024 Material Flow Analysis, which found that Australia’s economy was only 3.7% circular, compared to a global average of 7.2%. The Australian Bureau of Statistics places the national circularity rate at roughly 4.3%, with Australians consuming an average of 38 tonnes of material per person each year, more than three times the global mean. These numbers highlight both a challenge and an opportunity: despite the high level of material use, the loop remains largely open. The Centre for Future Materials (University of Southern Queensland) cites a range of barriers to circularity, from lack of collaboration and system complexity to inconsistent standards, regulation and the high cost of transport across vast distances. These findings align closely with the Australian Productivity Commission’s 2025 inquiry into the circular economy, which sought to identify precisely how such barriers could be reduced and the much-discussed potential of circularity in Australia could finally be realised.
The Core Question
Perhaps at the heart of circularity’s future lies a deceptively simple question: What specific problems does a circular economy address more effectively than conventional economic models?
Until this question is answered clearly; for local authorities, policy makers, business leaders and citizens alike, circularity risks remaining an attractive abstraction rather than an applied transformation. Most Australians still have only a vague understanding of what circularity entails. Without a narrative that fosters a culture of circularity, there is a risk of imposing change from the top down; a strategy that almost always incurs higher costs, greater resistance and reduced long-term success.
Circularity should not be confined to large enterprises alone. It needs to be embraced by the entire business ecosystem and the wider community; embedded in everyday life, consumption patterns and production processes. Achieving this requires clearer, more regionally grounded narratives tailored to distinct social and economic realities across Australia.
Why This Edition?
There is, across Australia, an impressive and growing body of smart, creative and determined work dedicated to advancing circular practices. SINTEZO #8 explores that work and the ideas behind it. This edition curates a collection of perspectives and insights that aim to help this conversation mature across sectors, scales and disciplines. As SINTEZO itself was borne through collaboration, the editors acknowledge that collaboration also thrives on experimentation, even at small scales. In that spirit, this edition is produced through an expanded editorial collaboration. SINTEZO welcomes Dr Keith Noble, a regular contributor whose expertise spans regional planning, ecology and resilience and Cassandra Cazzulino, Chief Executive of Smart Precinct NQ and one of northern Australia’s leading voices in circular-economy development, as guest co-editors for this issue. Together, they sourced contributions that added substance and texture to the national conversation about circularity, its meanings, mechanisms and prospects for strategic growth. These contributions are stamped with an outline of the NQ coastline adjacent to the page number.
Dr Keith Noble
Cassandra Cazzulino
Jelenko Dragisic
Caroline Austin
Editorial Team | March 2026
SINTEZO
Edition 7 - OUT NOW
June 2025
Climate Change Anxiety (CCA), also known as eco-anxiety, has become an increasingly important topic of discussion across research, public policy, business, and communities worldwide. While not a new phenomenon, it is gaining well-deserved attention as a significant issue affecting both individual well-being and broader societal structures. In this edition of SINTEZO, we delve into this issue with a focus on climate change and its impacts on human health—physical, mental, and social. We explore what we know, where our understanding is still evolving, and what approaches are emerging to address this complex challenge.
Exploring the Health Dimensions of Climate Change
While the physical impacts of climate change—such as extreme weather events, heatwaves, and rising disease burdens—are well-documented, a growing body of research also highlights the mental health consequences, including rising rates of climate anxiety. Terms like “eco-anxiety,” “climate grief,” and “eco-depression” have entered the public discourse, signifying the profound emotional and psychological toll that climate change is exacting on individuals and communities. The increasing frequency and intensity of climate-related events, from fires and floods to severe droughts, have heightened concerns about the broader consequences for human health. The uncertainty surrounding these events, coupled with the social, cultural, and economic shifts they provoke, make climate change not just an environmental challenge but a multi-dimensional health crisis.
Our focus includes:
Physical Health: How climate change is affecting our bodies, from heat stress and respiratory issues to the spread of vector-borne diseases and the challenges of food and water insecurity.
Mental Health: The rise of climate-related psychological stressors such as anxiety, trauma, and eco-grief. We will explore how displacement, uncertainty, and loss of environmental stability are contributing to mental health struggles.
Social Health: The broader societal impacts, including the erosion of social cohesion, displacement, cultural identity loss, and the exacerbation of existing inequalities. Climate change is both a health and a justice issue.
Through a series of essays from thought leaders and practitioners, we will provide insights into the intersection of environmental change and human well-being: to bring closer a nuanced understanding of how climate change impacts our health on multiple levels and to offer pathways forward— whether through individual coping strategies, public health solutions, or community-driven efforts. We hope to spark further conversation and action on this pressing issue, with the goal of fostering resilience and finding ways to address both the immediate and long-term health challenges posed by a changing climate.
Edition 7 - OUT NOW
June 2025
Climate Change Anxiety (CCA), also known as eco-anxiety, has become an increasingly important topic of discussion across research, public policy, business, and communities worldwide. While not a new phenomenon, it is gaining well-deserved attention as a significant issue affecting both individual well-being and broader societal structures. In this edition of SINTEZO, we delve into this issue with a focus on climate change and its impacts on human health—physical, mental, and social. We explore what we know, where our understanding is still evolving, and what approaches are emerging to address this complex challenge.
Exploring the Health Dimensions of Climate Change
While the physical impacts of climate change—such as extreme weather events, heatwaves, and rising disease burdens—are well-documented, a growing body of research also highlights the mental health consequences, including rising rates of climate anxiety. Terms like “eco-anxiety,” “climate grief,” and “eco-depression” have entered the public discourse, signifying the profound emotional and psychological toll that climate change is exacting on individuals and communities. The increasing frequency and intensity of climate-related events, from fires and floods to severe droughts, have heightened concerns about the broader consequences for human health. The uncertainty surrounding these events, coupled with the social, cultural, and economic shifts they provoke, make climate change not just an environmental challenge but a multi-dimensional health crisis.
Our focus includes:
Physical Health: How climate change is affecting our bodies, from heat stress and respiratory issues to the spread of vector-borne diseases and the challenges of food and water insecurity.
Mental Health: The rise of climate-related psychological stressors such as anxiety, trauma, and eco-grief. We will explore how displacement, uncertainty, and loss of environmental stability are contributing to mental health struggles.
Social Health: The broader societal impacts, including the erosion of social cohesion, displacement, cultural identity loss, and the exacerbation of existing inequalities. Climate change is both a health and a justice issue.
Through a series of essays from thought leaders and practitioners, we will provide insights into the intersection of environmental change and human well-being: to bring closer a nuanced understanding of how climate change impacts our health on multiple levels and to offer pathways forward— whether through individual coping strategies, public health solutions, or community-driven efforts. We hope to spark further conversation and action on this pressing issue, with the goal of fostering resilience and finding ways to address both the immediate and long-term health challenges posed by a changing climate.
Jelenko Dragisic
Caroline Austin
Editorial Team
June 2025
Caroline Austin
Editorial Team
June 2025
SINTEZO
Edition 6 - OUT NOW
November 2024
“Imagination is more important than knowledge.” Albert Einstein
How can imagination and creativity be used to think about the future? When Einstein talked about imagination in this particular context, he was talking about the ability to imagine what will happen in various circumstances that have yet to be tested, encouraging people to look beyond the current conservative frontiers of what they know and into the realm of what can be explored next.
New, transformative ideas frequently encounter widespread rejection when they first appear. According to creativity researcher Wayne Johnson, the real challenge in creativity isn’t generating new ideas, it’s getting people to accept and support them. While people often claim to value creativity, there is a common bias against creative thinking, which makes it difficult for them to embrace new concepts.
This idea is at the heart of SINTEZO 6, which delves into how imagination and creativity can shape our perceptions, influence our behaviour, attitudes, and mindsets, and ultimately change how we accept ideas and transcend conventional thinking to explore innovative solutions and shape change about the future.
This edition brings a collection of contributions that explore imagination as a powerful force for change and a catalyst for innovation, sparking new insights and possibilities that challenge conventional wisdom. The range of essays in this edition brings perspective that reflect on disciplines and domains ranging from speculative design, architecture, art-making projects, foresight practices, future thinking, business thinking to speculative fiction that envisions future scenarios. Contributors were encouraged to examine techniques that disrupt current thinking and embrace creative exploration, unlocking new possibilities that help shape a more resilient and equitable world.
SINTEZO 6 aims to spark engaging discussions on creativity by inviting readers to interpret this collection of thought-provoking essays, personal experiences, and research findings that broaden our perspective on the subject.
Edition 6 - OUT NOW
November 2024
“Imagination is more important than knowledge.” Albert Einstein
How can imagination and creativity be used to think about the future? When Einstein talked about imagination in this particular context, he was talking about the ability to imagine what will happen in various circumstances that have yet to be tested, encouraging people to look beyond the current conservative frontiers of what they know and into the realm of what can be explored next.
New, transformative ideas frequently encounter widespread rejection when they first appear. According to creativity researcher Wayne Johnson, the real challenge in creativity isn’t generating new ideas, it’s getting people to accept and support them. While people often claim to value creativity, there is a common bias against creative thinking, which makes it difficult for them to embrace new concepts.
This idea is at the heart of SINTEZO 6, which delves into how imagination and creativity can shape our perceptions, influence our behaviour, attitudes, and mindsets, and ultimately change how we accept ideas and transcend conventional thinking to explore innovative solutions and shape change about the future.
This edition brings a collection of contributions that explore imagination as a powerful force for change and a catalyst for innovation, sparking new insights and possibilities that challenge conventional wisdom. The range of essays in this edition brings perspective that reflect on disciplines and domains ranging from speculative design, architecture, art-making projects, foresight practices, future thinking, business thinking to speculative fiction that envisions future scenarios. Contributors were encouraged to examine techniques that disrupt current thinking and embrace creative exploration, unlocking new possibilities that help shape a more resilient and equitable world.
SINTEZO 6 aims to spark engaging discussions on creativity by inviting readers to interpret this collection of thought-provoking essays, personal experiences, and research findings that broaden our perspective on the subject.
Jelenko Dragisic
Caroline Austin
Editorial Team
November 2024
Caroline Austin
Editorial Team
November 2024
SINTEZO
Edition 5 - OUT NOW
May 2024
»A briefing on complexity, resilience, interdisciplinarity and ideas»
The story of food captivates us, offering an array of dimensions that endlessly intrigue. As SINTEZO magazine enters its third year, we embark on a collaborative exploration of these diverse facets. A multitude of contributors will share their insights, perspectives, and experiences; shedding light on various aspects of food.
While we propose two starting points — global attention to food security and the rise of urban and peri-urban agriculture — we acknowledge that these are not limitations. From community gardens and local social enterprise urban farms to rooftop farms and ambitious urban farming start-ups, the methods of food cultivation in urban settings continue to diversify. This expansion into urban life also encompasses broader agricultural considerations, involving elements of ecology, biodiversity, urban planning, and the socio-cultural and economic foundations of food cultivation.
The heightened focus on food security has prompted governments worldwide to conduct extensive inquiries, seeking a better understanding of the factors shaping the future of food. The story of food is, in many ways, a reflection of culture, society, cities, and communities. This presents an exciting opportunity for innovation, collaboration, and sustainability in the production, distribution, and management of food, with minimal negative externalities.
This edition of SINTEZO invites exploration of various ways in which food is, or can be, produced, particularly emphasising the involvement of people, local communities, urban policymakers, entrepreneurs, and others shaping the collective future of food. Through a compilation of essays, thought-provoking articles, experiences and research findings, our goal is to facilitate engaging dialogues among all stakeholders.
While we do not expect definitive answers, we hope that the shared insights will be engaging, not only for those deeply entrenched in the food space, but also for those yet to discover the enchanting narrative of food.
As always, our approach to creating each edition of SINTEZO is partially inspired by the idea that any object, concept, or phenomenon can be viewed from many angles – our own version of the Rashomon effect. Conventionally, the Rashomon effect refers to a situation whereby a single event is described in different ways by various witnesses. The concept, which emerged following the 1951 film ‘Rashomon’ where Japanese filmmaker Akira Kurosawa first deployed this kind of storytelling technique, can be expanded to apply to the way we witness not just a single event, but also a broader phenomenon. Observing how cities work, or how communities or organisations function, can be equally subjected to the Rashomon effect.
By gathering various voices, we seek to create a brief that offers readers the opportunity to reflect on different views; without an imposed structure or order, so they can build their own picture after reading the essays curated for SINTEZO.
Finally, the visual identity of SINTEZO draws on images of nature, in particular the structures of plants such as leaves, stems and roots in the hope of building bridges and connections between concepts and themes.
Edition 5 - OUT NOW
May 2024
»A briefing on complexity, resilience, interdisciplinarity and ideas»
The story of food captivates us, offering an array of dimensions that endlessly intrigue. As SINTEZO magazine enters its third year, we embark on a collaborative exploration of these diverse facets. A multitude of contributors will share their insights, perspectives, and experiences; shedding light on various aspects of food.
While we propose two starting points — global attention to food security and the rise of urban and peri-urban agriculture — we acknowledge that these are not limitations. From community gardens and local social enterprise urban farms to rooftop farms and ambitious urban farming start-ups, the methods of food cultivation in urban settings continue to diversify. This expansion into urban life also encompasses broader agricultural considerations, involving elements of ecology, biodiversity, urban planning, and the socio-cultural and economic foundations of food cultivation.
The heightened focus on food security has prompted governments worldwide to conduct extensive inquiries, seeking a better understanding of the factors shaping the future of food. The story of food is, in many ways, a reflection of culture, society, cities, and communities. This presents an exciting opportunity for innovation, collaboration, and sustainability in the production, distribution, and management of food, with minimal negative externalities.
This edition of SINTEZO invites exploration of various ways in which food is, or can be, produced, particularly emphasising the involvement of people, local communities, urban policymakers, entrepreneurs, and others shaping the collective future of food. Through a compilation of essays, thought-provoking articles, experiences and research findings, our goal is to facilitate engaging dialogues among all stakeholders.
While we do not expect definitive answers, we hope that the shared insights will be engaging, not only for those deeply entrenched in the food space, but also for those yet to discover the enchanting narrative of food.
As always, our approach to creating each edition of SINTEZO is partially inspired by the idea that any object, concept, or phenomenon can be viewed from many angles – our own version of the Rashomon effect. Conventionally, the Rashomon effect refers to a situation whereby a single event is described in different ways by various witnesses. The concept, which emerged following the 1951 film ‘Rashomon’ where Japanese filmmaker Akira Kurosawa first deployed this kind of storytelling technique, can be expanded to apply to the way we witness not just a single event, but also a broader phenomenon. Observing how cities work, or how communities or organisations function, can be equally subjected to the Rashomon effect.
By gathering various voices, we seek to create a brief that offers readers the opportunity to reflect on different views; without an imposed structure or order, so they can build their own picture after reading the essays curated for SINTEZO.
Finally, the visual identity of SINTEZO draws on images of nature, in particular the structures of plants such as leaves, stems and roots in the hope of building bridges and connections between concepts and themes.
Jelenko Dragisic
Caroline Austin
Editorial team
May 2024
Caroline Austin
Editorial team
May 2024
04
SHOP︎
SINTEZO
Edition 4 - OUT NOW
September 2023
»A briefing on complexity, resilience, interdisciplinarity and ideas»
Creative leaders, thrive in complexity and ambiguity. They embrace innovation, encourage experimentation, and challenge the status quo. By fostering a culture that embraces change and adaptability, they create an environment conducive to discovering new solutions, technologies, and approaches. Through their visionary mindset, creative leaders inspire their teams to think outside the box and push boundaries, ultimately driving growth and transformation.
In an ever-changing world, women are playing an increasingly prominent role in driving transformative change and reshaping the traditional definition of leadership. Creative leadership, as exemplified by women, is often characterized by a willingness to experiment, embrace uncertainty, and foster a culture of curiosity and continuous learning. This edition of SINTEZO delves into the essence of creative leadership and its significance in complex times. By highlighting the collaborative and inclusive nature of different leadership styles, we explore how women are shaping the future of leadership.
In this edition of SINTEZO, we were interested in how women leaders are redefining leadership in complex times through their creative, collaborative, and other various approaches or practices. By embracing experimentation, nurturing talent, promoting ethical responsibility, and leveraging technology, they shape a future that is inclusive, empathetic, and sustainable. The exploration of women’s leadership in complex times paves the way for a deeper understanding of how leadership can be constructed to navigate the challenges and opportunities of the future.
By amplifying their voices and insights, we gain valuable insights into the transformative potential of creative leadership in building equitable communities, organizations and societies.
As in other editions, our approach to creating each edition of SINTEZO is partially inspired by the idea that any idea, concept, or phenomenon can be viewed from many angles – our own version of the Rashomon effect. By gathering various voices, we seek to create a brief that offers readers the opportunity to reflect on different views; without an imposed structure or order, so they can build their own picture after reading the essays curated for SINTEZO. Conventionally, the Rashomon effect refers to a situation whereby a single event is described in different ways by various witnesses. The concept, which emerged following the 1951 film ‘Rashomon’ where Japanese filmmaker Akira Kurosawa first deployed this kind of storytelling technique, can be expanded to apply to the way we witness not just a single event, but also a broader phenomenon. Observing how cities work, or how communities or organisations function, can be equally subjected to the Rashomon effect. Finally, as always, the visual identity of the magazine draws on images of bridges and water in the hope of building bridges and connections between concepts and themes in each SINTEZO Edition.
Edition 4 - OUT NOW
September 2023
»A briefing on complexity, resilience, interdisciplinarity and ideas»
Creative leaders, thrive in complexity and ambiguity. They embrace innovation, encourage experimentation, and challenge the status quo. By fostering a culture that embraces change and adaptability, they create an environment conducive to discovering new solutions, technologies, and approaches. Through their visionary mindset, creative leaders inspire their teams to think outside the box and push boundaries, ultimately driving growth and transformation.
In an ever-changing world, women are playing an increasingly prominent role in driving transformative change and reshaping the traditional definition of leadership. Creative leadership, as exemplified by women, is often characterized by a willingness to experiment, embrace uncertainty, and foster a culture of curiosity and continuous learning. This edition of SINTEZO delves into the essence of creative leadership and its significance in complex times. By highlighting the collaborative and inclusive nature of different leadership styles, we explore how women are shaping the future of leadership.
In this edition of SINTEZO, we were interested in how women leaders are redefining leadership in complex times through their creative, collaborative, and other various approaches or practices. By embracing experimentation, nurturing talent, promoting ethical responsibility, and leveraging technology, they shape a future that is inclusive, empathetic, and sustainable. The exploration of women’s leadership in complex times paves the way for a deeper understanding of how leadership can be constructed to navigate the challenges and opportunities of the future.
By amplifying their voices and insights, we gain valuable insights into the transformative potential of creative leadership in building equitable communities, organizations and societies.
As in other editions, our approach to creating each edition of SINTEZO is partially inspired by the idea that any idea, concept, or phenomenon can be viewed from many angles – our own version of the Rashomon effect. By gathering various voices, we seek to create a brief that offers readers the opportunity to reflect on different views; without an imposed structure or order, so they can build their own picture after reading the essays curated for SINTEZO. Conventionally, the Rashomon effect refers to a situation whereby a single event is described in different ways by various witnesses. The concept, which emerged following the 1951 film ‘Rashomon’ where Japanese filmmaker Akira Kurosawa first deployed this kind of storytelling technique, can be expanded to apply to the way we witness not just a single event, but also a broader phenomenon. Observing how cities work, or how communities or organisations function, can be equally subjected to the Rashomon effect. Finally, as always, the visual identity of the magazine draws on images of bridges and water in the hope of building bridges and connections between concepts and themes in each SINTEZO Edition.
Jelenko Dragisic
Caroline Austin
Editorial team
September 2023
Caroline Austin
Editorial team
September 2023