Unfolding: a circular economy podcast

Iain and Wayne chat to Libby Peake from the Green Alliance and they delve into the critical themes surrounding the circular economy in the context of COP 31. They  discuss the importance of elevating the materials agenda, the challenges of communicating the concept of circular economy to policymakers, and the significant role it plays in addressing climate change and biodiversity loss. They also explore the unique challenges faced by the Global South in adopting circular economy practices and emphasize the need for demand reduction and equitable resource distribution. The discussion highlights the intersection of circular economy with electrification and the importance of setting high-level targets to guide sustainable resource use. In this conversation, the speakers discuss the critical role of transition brokers in the circular economy, the growing frustration with the throwaway society, and the need for better data and measurement. They emphasize the importance of national and local bodies to drive the transition and the potential of the circular economy to be recognized at COP31. And Libby has a killer stat…!

The UN report that Libby talks about: https://www.unep.org/resources/Global-Resource-Outlook-2024

Chapters

 00:00 Intro to the podcast

02:53 Intro to our guest

04:30 The political difficulties we can encounter 

08:30 Circular economy vs waste management 

11:36 Libby’s killer stat

13:54 Global South / Global North

18:00 How can circular economy be framed globally?

22.10 Consumption emissions vs raw material extraction

25:11 Demand reduction & electrification

26:49 Iain’s holiday reflections on electrification, critical raw materials, and demand reduction

31:06 Tripple planetary crisis

34:24 Who are the transition brokers

36:08 we are taking away people’s frustration at the way the world works

38:27 Who is measuring the metrics?

39:36 A Resources equivalent of the Climate Change Committee

43:52 COP31 Policy wand

46:17 Are you hopeful?

49:21 Iain and Wayne chat about metrics

56:05 Upstream baby!

In this episode, Iain and Wayne chat with Jocelyn (Joss) Blériot, Executive Lead, Policy & Institutions at the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, and discuss the evolving role of the circular economy in climate discussions, particularly at COP events. They explore the progress made in integrating circular economy principles into national climate strategies, the challenges of implementation, and the importance of systemic change. The conversation highlights the role of cities in driving circular initiatives, the Foundation's focus areas, and the need for stronger business engagement and policy recommendations to support circular practices. They explore the need for demand reduction, the economic incentives that hinder the transition to a circular economy, and the importance of a unified business voice in advocating for sustainable practices. The conversation also highlights the challenges of measuring circularity and the necessity for businesses to adopt bolder strategies to mitigate risks in their supply chains. 

Chapters

00:00 Opening

02:40 Introduction to Joss

04:10 How the circular economy relates to COPs

07:10 Implementation through sectoral focus

08:39 Electrification and the materials economy

09:59 The politics of consumption emissions

14:00 Sectoral opportunities and upstream vs downstream

18:30 Role of cities and regions 

22:28 The Foundations focus at COP31

25:06 The cost and incentive structures and systemic enablers 

27:12 The need for advocacy 

28.34 Who are the champions?

30:28 Triumvirate of significant reports

32:20 Voice of business and the framing of circular economy

40:20 Joss’ COP31 wish list

43:46 Iain and Wayne’s post chat chat

45:19 Upstream vs downstream and Kevin sees a fox

47:50 What we have learned and the absence of a unifying narrative?

52:00 The importance of a circular business voice

54:15 Metrics!

In this episode, Iain Gulland and Wayne Hubbard have a conversation with Ladeja Godina Košir, founder and executive director of Circular Change and co-chair of the European Circular Economy Stakeholder Platform.

They discuss the significance of the circular economy in the context of COP and the role of various stakeholders in promoting sustainability. They explore the importance of transition brokers, the challenges of scaling the circular economy, and the need for a shift in focus towards material use in global discussions. The dialogue emphasizes the necessity of collaboration, humility, and learning from different global perspectives to effectively address climate change and resource management.

In this conversation, Ladeja discusses the challenges of reducing consumption and the importance of reframing the narrative around quality of life. She emphasizes the potential of circular business models and the need for transition brokers to facilitate the shift towards a circular economy. The discussion also touches on the influence of lifestyle changes driven by social media, the integration of circularity with climate action, and the importance of maintaining value in a circular economy. Ultimately, the conversation advocates for creativity and playfulness in addressing these challenges.

Wayne and Iain discuss the importance of organisational governance in the circular economy, the potential of the Istanbul platform post-COP31, and the need for effective implementation strategies.

In this episode of the Unfolding podcast, hosts Iain Gulland and Wayne Hubbard interview Jose Manuel Moller, entrepreneur and Strategic Advisor to the COP31 Climate High-Level Champion. They discuss circular economy and its significance in the context of the upcoming COP31 conference. Jose provides us with a COP '101' introduction to the COP process, and gives a fascinating insight into this year's Action Agenda, with zero waste at its heart. He talks about the role of cities and the zero waste districts initiative, and tell us what the Istanbul platform is and we discuss its potential to be a global ‘transition broker.’

In Episode 3 we have a conversation with Andy Deacon, Co-Executive Director of the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy (GCoM). We explore GCoM's role in facilitating climate action through city collaboration. Andy discusses the challenges cities face in implementing circular strategies, and the dynamics between the global north and south. Andy emphasises the need for multi-level governance and we discuss the potential for cities to lead in circular economy initiatives, ultimately shaping market dynamics and influencing national policies. The conversation explores the urgent need for a circular economy to address urban consumption and climate action. Andy highlights the importance of funding and financing urban climate initiatives.

Key points
Cities need support to access finance for climate initiatives.
The circular economy is crucial for sustainable urban development.
Cities face challenges in implementing circular economy practices.
There is a significant divide between Global North and South in climate action.
Multi-level governance is essential for effective climate strategies.
Leadership from cities is vital for advancing circular economy initiatives.
Cities can leverage their collective power to influence markets.
The urban content of NDCs is becoming more significant.
Collaboration between cities can drive innovation in climate action. We need to break the cycle of linear consumption.
Access and performance should be prioritised over ownership.
Advanced thinking is required for climate implications.
Mineral resource access is critical for electrification.
Circular economy principles can enhance urban resilience.
A playbook for circular economy practices is essential.
Cities must have a voice in climate discussions.

More information on the Action Agenda at COP31: https://cop31.tr/

In the course of this and future episodes we will regularly refer to three reports:

The Future of Urban Consimption in a 1.5 C World (2019) - C40, Arup and the Unversity of Leeds
https://www.c40knowledgehub.org/s/art...

Completing the Picture: How the Circular Economy Tackles Climate Change (2021) - Ellen MacArthur Foundation and Material Economics
https://www.ellenmacarthurfoundation....

Squaring the Circle: Policies from Europe’s Circular Economy Transition (2022) - The World Bank
https://www.worldbank.org/en/region/e...


Please leave a comment or contact us directly at: [email protected]

In this series of podcasts Iain and Wayne will be examining how the circular economy can help to reduce carbon emissions and its inclusion in the COP31 'Action Agenda'. In doing so, over the course of the series they will discuss, the fight for a just and fair circular economy, the role of cities and communities, global trade, resilience and geo-politics and the role of the materials economy.

In Episode 2 they have a discussion with Aileen McLeod, former Climate Minister for the Scottish government, MEP, and Director of the Wellbeing Economy Alliance. Aileen discusses COP and the role it play internationally and domestically, the intersection of circular and wellbeing economies and sets out some ideas on how to get the best outcome for the circular economy at COP31

Key Topics

Experience at COP Lima and Paris

Influence of domestic and international relationships

Role of subnational governments and cities

Integration of circular economy and wellbeing economy

Strategies for effective policy influence and implementation

The importance of public mobilisation and political leadership

Building global networks and regional ecosystems

Connecting local actions to international climate goals

More information on the Action Agenda at COP31: https://cop31.tr/

In the course of future episodes we will regularly refer to three reports:

The Future of Urban Consimption in a 1.5 C World (2019) - C40, Arup and the Unversity of Leeds
https://www.c40knowledgehub.org/s/art...

Completing the Picture: How the Circular Economy Tackles Climate Change (2021) - Ellen MacArthur Foundation and Material Economics
https://www.ellenmacarthurfoundation....

Squaring the Circle: Policies from Europe’s Circular Economy Transition (2022) - The World Bank
https://www.worldbank.org/en/region/e...


Please leave a comment or contact us directly at: [email protected]

Welcome to (Series 1 - Episode 1) Unfolding: a circular economy podcast, hosted by circular economy experts Iain Gulland and Wayne Hubbard.

In this series of podcasts Iain and Wayne will be examining how the circular economy can help to reduce carbon emissions and its inclusion in the COP31 'Action Agenda'. In doing so, over the course of the series they will discuss, the fight for a just and fair circular economy, the role of cities and communities, global trade, resilience and geo-politics and the role of the materials economy.

In Episode 1 they have a discussion with James Close, formerly of the World Bank, ReLondon and most recently NatWest, about the COP process, as they try to understand how COPs work, what they do and how we can influence the discussions.

In the discussion they refer to the the Sixth Climate Budget , which along with the Seventh and updates to parliament, over the course of the last 6 years, shows a change in how government views emissions associated with imported goods and services. All the reports can be found here: https://www.theccc.org.uk

More information on the Action Agenda at COP31: https://cop31.tr/

In the course of future episodes we will regularly refer to three reports:

The Future of Urban Consimption in a 1.5 C World (2019) - C40, Arup and the Unversity of Leeds

https://www.c40knowledgehub.org/s/article/The-future-of-urban-consumption-in-a-1-5-C-world?language=en_US

Completing the Picture: How the Circular Economy Tackles Climate Change (2021) - Ellen MacArthur Foundation and Material Economics

https://www.ellenmacarthurfoundation.org/completing-the-picture

Squaring the Circle: Policies from Europe’s Circular Economy Transition (2022) - The World Bank

https://www.worldbank.org/en/region/eca/publication/squaring-circle-europe-circular-economy-transition

Please leave a comment or contact us directly at: [email protected]

This is a teaser for the for official Unfolding (I N G) podcast. Our first guest is revealed...