In this podcast transcript, the host welcomes Elin Bergman, a prominent advocate for the circular economy, who runs Cradlenet, one of the oldest circular economy networks in the world, based in Sweden. Elin discusses her journey, her role in promoting circular economy principles, and her accidental founding of the Nordic Circular Hotspot, which aims to foster collaboration across Nordic countries. She highlights her involvement in various initiatives, such as a lecture tour and speaking engagements at significant events, and her decision to organize an event in Marbella after observing environmental issues like droughts. Elin emphasizes the importance of addressing water scarcity, not just for luxury conveniences but for essential needs such as food production and living conditions.
The conversation further delves into the broader context of circular economy practices in Europe, particularly the European Union’s Circular Economy Action Plan and its associated reporting and investment directives. Elin discusses the progress and challenges faced by Nordic and European countries in becoming more circular, noting that while the Nordics have significant room for improvement, countries like Spain may be performing better in some areas. The discussion also covers the importance of sustainable investment and the need for companies to adopt rigorous, transparent sustainability reporting standards. Elin’s optimism and proactive approach are evident as she shares her experiences and plans for future projects, including the Circular Handshake initiative and her ongoing efforts to drive meaningful, actionable change in sustainability practices.
