Show notes
Episode 03: Show NotesMonica Richter at the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) talks to Nick Gonios about her role as Senior Manager of Low Carbon Futures, where she is optimistic we are on track to solving some of the world’s biggest problems. Her interest in the natural world began with her role as “chief weeder” of her father’s plant nursery as a child, and developed into a passion for systems thinking and the role of business in sustainability. In today’s episode, Monica discusses the initiatives which she has been involved in since she joined WWF Australia seven years ago, with specific emphasis on the Materials and Embodied Carbon Leaders’ Alliance (MECLA) which is the first of its kind. The construction industry consists of many wicked problems, including the fact that it is the world’s largest consumer of raw materials and produces 45% of global emissions. The goal of MECLA is to transform the sector to reach net-zero emissions, and in this episode, you’ll hear about some of the innovative approaches that they are utilizing to achieve this goal. Key Points From This Episode:Important lessons Monica learned as “chief weeder” for her father’s nursery as a child.A rundown of Monica’s educational background.Monica’s two main areas of interest at WWF.The purpose of WWF’s MECLA initiative. Two versions of a circular economy that exist in the world right now. Examples of how the built environment industry is adopting low carbon approaches.Excitement that Monica feels about solving the world’s biggest problems.Wicked problems of the construction industry. Monica explains some of the ways MECLA is helping the build environment industry reduce the carbon and waste it is producing. Learnings from the FinTech sector that could be applicable to the construction industry.How Australia is pioneering change.Other organizations which are addressing issues in the built environment sector. Quotes:“We’re diving deep into conversations about how we go about procuring low embodied materials, supporting industry to make that transition, setting those benchmarking targets, providing that common language to procure.” — @RichterMonica [0:08:08]“If we can fly to the moon in ten years, which is what they did in the 1960’s, then I reckon we can do anything.” — @RichterMonica [0:13:12]“If you make the incentives strong enough, business will meet that, they just have to have those incentives there.” — @RichterMonica [0:18:21]“I actually have real faith that in this particular area [of meeting low carbon targets] we have a great opportunity to drive innovation and drive change globally.” — @RichterMonica [0:26:03]“The climate crisis is real. We need to be getting on the journey. We have to halve emissions globally in the next decade.” — @RichterMonica [0:31:38]Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:Monica Richter on LinkedInWWF AustraliaWWFMECLACirculistHost Nick GoniosProducer Jim Lounsbury
