Skip to main content
Workshops & seminars

Circular Economy as a Business Opportunity Series: Training

From Circular to Regenerative Economies


Date & time
Monday, May 10, 2021
12 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.

Registration is closed

Speaker(s)

To be confirmed

Cost

This event is free

Where

Online

About the Event

According to the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, a circular economy is based on the principles of designing out waste and pollution, keeping products and materials in use, and regenerating natural systems. Our current “take-make-waste" system otherwise referred to as the linear economy, relies on using finite resources – land, water, metals, minerals, and fossil fuels. In order to create a thriving economy that benefits the current and future generation, transforming the way products are made throughout the entire life cycle is crucial. Implementing circular economy principles will help keep businesses fit for the future by helping control costs, keeping customers for life, and continuously developing products and services to stay ahead of competition. Jean Olemou and Philippe Crete will join us to talk about their experiences in investing in the circular economy, and why it is important for investment professionals to do the same. 

Reasons to attend

·       Discover strategies used by investment professionals to promote circular economy principles 

·       Familiarize yourself with how to address different risks and opportunities related to the circular economy within your ESG and financial analysis 

·       Learn about which sectors and leaders or laggards  

Audience

  • ·       Professionals and students from all backgrounds interested in the topic

About the Speakers

Jean Olemou is Co-founder and Principal of GreenDev, a Toronto based impact investing firm focused on accelerating the transition to the circular economy by leveraging the power of 4th Industrial Revolution technologies. He is a seasoned investment professional in the energy and sustainable infrastructure sector, covering all the stages of investing: sourcing, diligence, structuring and execution. He brings experience in circular economy innovation, climate-smart and sustainable infrastructure investment, impact investing, ESG and corporate sustainability in the Americas, Europe and Africa. Currently, he serves as a Board Member for Social Planning Toronto. Jean was featured by the 100 Magazine as a 2020 Top Canadian Professional. He was named as a Global Talent and invited to attend the UN SDG innovation lab (UNLEASH 2019) in Shenzhen, China. Jean is a sought-after expert advisor, public speaker and has a track record of advising international organizations on circularity and sustainability matters globally. He turns challenging circumstances into opportunities that promote sustainability. He remains under the belief that business, the public sector, NGOs and civil society can work together to drive societal and inclusive change to address our most pressing social and environmental challenges. 

 

Philippe Crête has more than 14 years of experience in the field of climate finance and natural capital. At Fondaction, he holds the role of Principal investment advisor within the alternative private investment team, where he develops, raises and manages investment funds in the sectors of climate change and sustainable agriculture, forestry and the circular economy. Previously, he worked for seven years for the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), where he was in turn regional coordinator for Africa for the UN-REDD programme and climate finance expert. In these positions, he developed and supervised numerous development projects in the environment sector, with a particular emphasis on innovative financial mechanisms, including carbon finance, systems of payments for environmental services and blended finance. Before joining FAO, Philippe Crête was a partner and deputy director of the brokerage and consulting firm ÉcoRessources, now known as Coop Carbone, where he was responsible for sourcing and trading carbon offsets on global carbon markets, as well as for developing climate change projects and emission reduction strategies for large emitters. Philippe Crête holds a bachelor's degree in international development studies and economics and a master's degree in bioresource engineering from McGill University.

Be part of the Circular Economy as a Business Opportunity Series — From Circular to Regenerative Economies! 

Series Overview

Transitioning to more efficient resource utilization could be addressed through circular economy. This Learning Lab will focus on real-life examples of what businesses and investors are doing to innovate, drive opportunities, and create new markets. 

Other learning lab in this series

About the Sustainability Ecosystem

The Sustainability Ecosystem fosters constructive interactions and strengthens multi-sectoral and multi-stakeholder collaboration in Montreal and beyond. The group creates opportunities to meet and exchange information, experiences, and ideas for collaboration.

Learn more
> Explore the Sustainability Ecosystem
> Learning Labs
> Video Library Learning Labs
> Educational Exchange Forum
> Related programs
Ecosystem sponsor

Connect

Facebook via JMEC

LinkedIn via JMEC

Broadcast partners
Back to top

© Concordia University