RIA Day 2 2024: Lisa McLean

Circular Economy

The recently released UN Global Resource Outlook confirms increasing high consumption and resource use, by wealthy countries, is the main driver of the triple planetary crisis – climate, biodiversity and air pollution. As material use increases unsustainably, the circular economy is emerging as the only viable economic framework to grow jobs and industries in a resource and carbon constrained future. Restoration is at the heart of Australia’s circular transition.

Speaker Bio

Lisa is a leader in circular economy and zero-carbon business transformation. For over 20 years, she has successfully advised industry and government on developing new policy frameworks and regulations to drive market change towards a zero-waste and carbon-neutral economy. Her work spans supply chains, infrastructure, energy, water, waste, and mobility sectors in the UK and Australia.

Lisa is the Managing Director and CEO of Circular Australia, an independent peak NFP organization leading Australia’s transition to a circular economy by 2030. She is a member of the Circular Economy Ministerial Advisory Group (CEMAG), advising the Minister for Environment and Water, Hon. Tanya Plibersek, on the federal government’s circular economy roadmap to 2030. Additionally, Lisa advises government on key policy and strategic projects, including the NSW 20-Year Waste Strategy, the Carbon Capture Technology Program, and the Powering Australian Innovation Growth Centres.

Throughout her career, Lisa has helped catalyze new markets for circular economy and zero-carbon initiatives. She was instrumental in establishing the Australian Solar Thermal Association (AUSTELA) and the Open Cities Alliance, a peak association for next-generation infrastructure and the circular economy. She has also advised electric mobility providers and worked in the private sector to drive circular economy outcomes in water and energy, advocating for policy and regulatory reform.

Lisa began her career as a political journalist in the national press gallery before transitioning to advising Ministers and Premiers. She later moved to the UK to help establish the Clinton Climate Initiative.