In this episode, we get the tattoo machine going and spend quality time with Jyrki Katainen, European Commission Vice President for Jobs, Growth, Investment and Competitiveness, to review some of the hot questions related to the implementation of Circular Economy transition. Calling Brussels from a tattoo shop, we ask VP Katainen about EU’s commitment, economics of the transition, short term impact on jobs & competitiveness. We touch on the wider spectrum of the Climate Finance discussion and the role of public sector in facilitating the shift. This episode also features views from Bas de Leeuw, Managing Director of the World Resources Forum.

Check out the Circular Economy series page for complementary resources & bonus materials.

Produced by Camille Duran

Coordinated by Han Nguyen

Published by Gabriela Lemos Borba & Linnéa Hultén

Transcribed by Oanh Nguyen

Senior Editors Eleen Murphy & Joshua Burguete Kirkman

Special thanks to Johan Signer, Chuva Featherstone & Tattoo Inkarnation

Music Credits: License by Ins. Green White Space.

 

EPISODE TRANSCRIPT

Camille Duran (CD): Today we talk economics. And to do so, we have the Vice President of the European Commission on the show! Jyrki Katainen.

Yeah baby, and we go deep!

[Jyrki Katainen’s voice]: We are very committed because according to our own understanding, Circular Economy will be the next mega trend in the world market economy.

[MUSIC]

CD: Vice President Katainen is in charge of Jobs, Growth, Investment and Competitiveness at the European Commission. Who better than him could we invite to address those issues in depth in the context of the EU Circular Economy policy package of course.

So today I wanted to make a mark. A mark to celebrate the European Commission’s commitment towards Circular Economy.

So I called a tattoo artist and got into a little bit of a multitasking exercise during the interview.

You’ll understand in a minute.

[Tattoo artist’s voice] So, if there’s anything, just tell me and we’ll take a break. Don’t forget to breath, and stay still….

[Telephone operator’s voice] Good morning, Cabinet of Katainen?

CD: Hello good morning, this is Camille Duran from the Green Exchange?

[Telephone operator’s voice]: Yes, I’m just going to put you through to Vice President Katainen now, are you ready?

CD: Yes, thank you.

[MUSIC INTRO]

You’re listening to the Green Exchange, episode four of our series: Circular Economy in practice – Seducing The Financial Sector.

Yes, I thought that getting myself a circular economy tattoo on the shoulder while interviewing Katainen was a good idea since we were going to talk about commitment.

But let me back up for a second because this is actually a very serious interview.

 

CIRCULAR CHANGE – LOW HANGING FRUIT & GOVERNMENT SUBSIDIES

02:08

As we touched on earlier, in a transition towards a circular economy there are some changes that can be made incrementally, or by improving existing systems. Like increasing recycling rates for instance, of better designing products so they can enter circular loops. I am not saying it’s easy, but we are talking about improving practices within an existing system.

Then you have changes that are more radical. And they need to happen too. Selling products ‘as a service’ as we discussed is a good example. This creates a complete different cash flow structure for a company. Instead of receiving 200 euros right away when you buy your new jacket, the company may receive 5 euros per month from the subscription. Even if everyone agrees that there are long-term economic benefits to circularity of the economy,