The Circular Economy Show Podcast What should businesses do to scale a circular economy?
Jan 21, 2025
In this discussion, Lindsay Hooper, CEO of the Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership, and Joe Murphy, Executive Lead of the Ellen MacArthur Foundation’s business network, tackle the urgent need for businesses to move past ESG hype into real sustainability. They critique superficial approaches and explore systemic barriers to circular economy implementation. The duo showcases innovative strategies from companies like Philips and emphasizes collaboration as essential for scaling sustainable practices, pushing for more meaningful market reforms.
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Episode notes
ESG Hype Bubble Insights
- The ESG hype bubble burst due to superficial debates ignoring critical environmental risks.
- Effective business action must recognize climate realities, not just rely on reputation or market trends.
Business Action Roots
- Business action must be rooted in real climate risks, not short-term reputation gains.
- Market limits prevent investments needed for sustainable transformations, requiring advocacy for market reforms.
Successful Circular Economy Examples
- Philips aims for 25% revenue from circular products by 2025, illustrating individual company success.
- Collective action like redesigning jeans with 100 brands led to 1.5 million circular jeans in the market.