Emma Burlow, a sustainability champion who's passionate about empowering businesses to take action on climate change shares her insights on creating a more sustainable future in this exclusive interview for our ‘Nine Questions With’ series.

Emma Burlow is a sustainability expert with a passion for empowering businesses to take action on climate change. With over 25 years of experience in the field, Emma founded Lighthouse Sustainability to bridge the gap between academic knowledge and practical application of sustainability.

In this interview, Emma shares insights on a range of topics, including the the role of technology in advancing sustainability practices, and the need for policy changes to support businesses in their sustainability journeys. She emphasizes that everyone has a role to play in creating a more sustainable future, regardless of their background or expertise. Read excerpts from the exclusive interview below: 

Team Reblue: Emma, you’ve had quite the journey in sustainability! What initially sparked your passion for this field, and how did those early experiences shape your vision for Lighthouse Sustainability?

Emma Burlow: My initial passion was sparked when I was a child. At school, my headmaster would take us out into nature, to the woods, and fields behind the school. I grew up in the West of England, near the Forest of Dean. The Forest of Dean is a forest, but it's also an old mining area. So, being out in nature a lot as a child and then developing an interest in biology and how nature works, I found a real passion for reading about the rain-forest.

I was excited by the biodiversity of the rain-forest and nature around the world. Instead of pursuing pure Biology, I chose to study Environmental Science, which was quite new back then. It seemed amazing to me because it combined my biology with my concern for the environment.

Back in those days, we were concerned about acid rain, saving the whales, the ozone layer, and many other issues that we're still concerned with today. Climate change wasn't talked about as issue then, although we knew about it.

My career has been about helping people navigate the complex world of sustainability. Lighthouse was all about helping people to navigate this world by taking what I knew and translating it into something that people could act on in its simplest form.

I saw the biggest problem in the disconnect between academic learning about sustainability and its practical application in the real world. I wanted to bridge this gap and help people understand and act on sustainability issues.

Team Reblue: At Lighthouse, you focus on building the confidence and capability of teams through tailored training. Can you share a memorable moment when you saw a team truly transform their approach to sustainability after your training?

Emma Burlow: We focus on building the confidence and capability of teams. We've trained over 1000 people and have a lot of experience seeing their journeys. For some people, our training might seem like just another day but many people go through a process where they feel something has happened, but they're not sure what. Occasionally, someone really feels it and says, "Wow, this is important to me." We see lots of pennies dropping.

One of the most inspiring examples is Kay, who came on our Carbon Literacy training with no sustainability background. She was a product trainer for a white goods company. Kay enjoyed the training so much that she kept in touch and asked lots of questions. She embraced the fact that this was all new to her.

As her pledge, she decided to become a carbon literacy trainer herself. This was a significant transformation for Kay, as she had no previous experience in sustainability. She openly says that the training has changed her life.

Seeing Kay's transformation from someone with no sustainability background to a trainer is inspiring. It shows that you don't have to be an expert to teach others. We all have the knowledge we need within us and can learn from each other.

"Understanding your carbon footprint can help you shift your focus to where it truly matters... Carbon literacy training can help create a groundswell of understanding and action within a company."

Team Reblue: You’ve personally trained nearly 700 learners in Carbon Literacy. What do you think is the most significant impact that understanding carbon emissions can have on a business, and why is it crucial for employees at all levels?

Emma Burlow: Understanding carbon emissions, whether through a carbon footprint assessment or training, can have a significant impact on a business. It helps you identify where your biggest impact is and focus on those areas.

Many companies focus on the wrong things, such as single-use coffee cups, while their actual impact might be in their supply chain or investments. Understanding your carbon footprint can help you shift your focus to where it truly matters.

A common language about carbon emissions is crucial for employees at all levels. Without this shared understanding, people may continue to guess and implement random solutions that don't align with the company's overall carbon reduction goals.

Carbon Literacy training can help create a groundswell of understanding and action within a company. It can shift people's perspective from seeing the climate crisis as remote and complicated to understanding the principles and taking immediate action, however small.

4. Having worked extensively in the circular economy, what do you see as the biggest misconceptions businesses have about transitioning to circular models, and how can they overcome these barriers?

The biggest misconception is that it's going to cost a lot of money. Another misconception is that there's no market for circular products. However, in my experience, if you're a business designed in a linear model, it's difficult to think about how your business might look in a completely different model. For example, transitioning from single-sale to rental. It feels like doing an about-turn.

To overcome these barriers, I recommend going back to basics and looking at your system to identify where the most value is. When you sell something linearly, you spend a lot of time trying to get another customer to sell it again. However, if you can spot where the value is in that product and offer a service around it, you can get that thing back. For example, with a laptop, the value is not only in the initial sale but in the second or third sale. By creating a circular process, you can sell the laptop once and then get it back to sell again. This is what mobile phone companies do now.

Additionally, companies can try to find value in what others consider waste. For example, upcycling food waste into cosmetics or spirits. This can be a great way to upsell a product instead of trying to sell waste.

It's important to have an open mind when transitioning to a circular business model. It's like starting a new business, even if it's just a new business model. Trying to fit it into the existing business may not work, as the existing business might not want to change. It's a significant enough change to require a fresh approach.

"One of the best ways for businesses to engage youth is to invite them into the business... It allows businesses to understand the concerns and perspectives of young people."

Team Reblue: You often emphasize the importance of community-driven efforts in sustainability. Can you share an example of a community initiative that inspired you and how it reflects the principles of the circular economy?

Emma Burlow: One of the most inspiring community initiatives I've been involved with is my local library. It's a small organization with a committee of about six people and a volunteer base of about 20. When the library was chosen to close, the community decided to take it on.

The library is more than just a place to borrow books. It offers various services, such as a space for people to come and talk, get information, and get help with things like IT. We help with iPads, phones, and other technology. The library is also a place for people to share local information.

The relevance of this initiative to the circular economy lies in its service model and the added value it provides. The library offers services that are difficult to put a price on, and the loyalty it gains from the community is invaluable. Any business would envy this kind of customer loyalty.

The principle behind this community initiative is creating something that people love so much that they want to keep coming back. This is essential to circularity, as it's all about repeat business.

I believe that businesses and industries can learn a lot from community groups. They have been doing these things so well for so long. We're starting to see some overlap, such as community-driven initiatives like food sharing and tool libraries. Anyone working in circularity should take inspiration from these community groups. They offer valuable lessons for businesses looking to create sustainable and thriving communities.

"I believe that technology can significantly speed up sustainability efforts... Artificial intelligence can also play a crucial role in enhancing sustainability practices."

Team Reblue: With younger generations increasingly concerned about climate issues, how do you believe businesses can engage youth in sustainability efforts, and what role do you think education plays in this?

Emma Burlow: One of the best ways for businesses to engage youth is to invite them into the business. This could involve work experience programs, bringing children to work days, or even having a young person on the Board. While the latter might be controversial, it's a clear way to engage with young people.

Most corporate spaces are not designed to be welcoming to young people. By inviting them in, businesses can gain valuable insights from the minds of young people, who are tomorrow's consumers and voters. For example, my son recently did a week of work experience at a seaweed packaging company. This not only provided him with valuable experience but also gave the company a chance to engage with a 17-year-old and potentially gain insights from their perspective.

Inviting youth into businesses can be a form of free market research. It allows businesses to understand the concerns and perspectives of young people, which can inform their sustainability efforts.

"I'd like to leave a legacy that empowers ordinary people to engage in sustainability efforts... By harnessing the collective power of individuals, we can achieve significant and lasting change."

Team Reblue: As technology continues to evolve, what innovations do you think hold the most promise for advancing sustainability practices in businesses today? Additionally, how do you see artificial intelligence playing a role in enhancing these efforts?

Emma Burlow: While I believe that education is important, especially for younger generations, I think we also need to focus on educating adults. Many of us have forgotten our connection with nature and have been educated in a capitalist way. We need to challenge the idea that our primary role is to get a job and earn money. We should consider how we can bring our passion for nature into our work.

I believe that technology can significantly speed up sustainability efforts. Innovations like electric vehicles, which have taken longer to develop than they could today with evolving technology, can be accelerated through technological advancements.

Artificial intelligence can also play a crucial role in enhancing sustainability practices. It can help speed up decision-making processes, such as life cycle analyses, and climate modeling. By using AI, we can potentially make faster and more informed decisions about sustainability initiatives.

While I haven't seen many examples of companies using AI for sustainability efforts yet, I believe it's on the cusp of becoming more widespread. AI can be a valuable tool in accelerating progress towards a more sustainable future.

"The biggest misconception is that it (circular economy) is going to cost a lot of money... It's important to have an open mind when transitioning to a circular business model."

Team Reblue: From your experience advising businesses, what specific policy changes do you believe would most effectively support companies in their sustainability journeys?

Emma Burlow: While there are specific policy changes like VAT on repair and spare parts that could support sustainability, I believe that signals from policymakers are more important. Commitments to net zero and taking action to achieve those goals can create a powerful environment for businesses to embrace sustainability.

I would like to see more incentives and benefits for businesses that adopt sustainable practices. For example, providing tax reductions for companies that incentivize their staff to cycle, walk, or take public transportation. This would encourage businesses to adopt sustainable practices while also benefiting society.

Overall, I believe that a combination of policy changes and clear signals from policymakers can effectively support businesses in their sustainability journeys.

Team Reblue: As you continue your work in sustainability, what legacy do you hope to leave in the field, and what do you envision as the most impactful change we can achieve in the coming years?

Emma Burlow: I'd like to leave a legacy that empowers ordinary people to engage in sustainability efforts. I believe that everyone has something to contribute, regardless of their background or expertise. We can move away from the idea that sustainability is only for specialists and instead encourage people to leverage their existing skills and knowledge to make a positive impact.

I envision a future where sustainability is integrated into every aspect of our lives. Everyone should feel empowered to take action, whether it's in their personal lives or their professional careers. By harnessing the collective power of individuals, we can achieve significant and lasting change.

Photo courtesy of Emma Burlow.