Ep 25: Why it's time to invest in the circular economy

Increasingly adopted as a powerful framework to address the world’s most pressing challenges, the transition towards the circular economycircular economyA systems solution framework that tackles global challenges like climate change, biodiversity loss, waste, and pollution. It is based on three principles, driven by design: eliminate waste and pollution, circulate products and materials (at their highest value), and regenerate nature. is well underway. However, a key ingredient is still very much in the early stages of exploring the topic - the world of finance. Luigi Riccardo is an industrial engineer. In early 2016 he joined the Innovation Center in Intesa Sanpaolo as innovation specialist and project manager. He is part of the team that developed the bank’s strategy on Circular Economy as a force for good, with the delivery of a dedicated plafond to finance circular projects and the launch of the Circular Economy Lab in Milan. Luigi is also a PhD student in the “Innovation for the Circular Economy” programme at the University of Turin, member of the local Global Shapers Community by WEF and manager in TEDxTorino conferences organisation. His aim is to shape a better world starting with local actions. In this session, hear how Intesa Sanpaolo has made the topic of circular economy central to their strategy, and how they aim to support businesses, especially SMEs, in making the transition.