The Cradle to Cradle school of thought is a platform for sustainability and exchange of ideas. Its central concern is to bring together actors with good ideas and skills from all areas of society and to work on solutions on how humans can leave a positive footprint on the earth (instead of becoming a pest, a beneficiary). In the spirit of the school of thought, people should use their abilities to act positively for people and the environment. Existing positive examples include factories from which water flows out instead of in; houses that produce an energy surplus; farms that do not destroy soils but make them fertile again; products that are designed with healthy materials for cycles.

The goal is to establish the C2C school of thought in society, business and politics through broad-based educational and networking work, of which the annual congress is a central part. In the C2C school of thought, the focus is on people. However, people are seen as beneficial organisms that can leave a positive footprint.

The non-profit organisation currently consists of over 30 regional groups and more than 400 active members nationwide.

Principle of the circular economy developed by chemist Michael Braungart, architect William McDonough