E4 - Matthias Lehner: Uniting Academia and Business Pioneership for Sustainable Consumption

Join us in this rich conversation with Matthias Lehner, a distinguished researcher at the International Institute for Industrial Environmental Economics (IIIEE), where he focuses on the intricate interplay of sustainable consumption and business models, rebound effects from sustainable consumption and most recently digitalization of consumption and sustainability. Beyond academia, Matthias is the founder of Roots of Malmo, a unique venture that bridges theory and practice, promoting sustainability through the lens of entrepreneurship. In this episode, Matthias shares his invaluable lessons from researching sustainability and establishing a successful company that initially started as a hobby. Explore crucial topics, including the misconceptions surrounding sustainable consumption and its true essence and the importance of policy as a catalyst for sustainability transitions. Gain insights into the captivating journey of Roots of Malmo, as Matthias candidly discusses the challenges faced during their 10+ years in business, offering valuable lessons learned. This episode provides a rare opportunity to witness the integration of sustainability research and entrepreneurship, as Matthias shares how he envisions future pursuits enriched by the experiences from his current endeavors.About Sustainably Speaking's hostsMeet the hosts of Sustainably Speaking, Malek Al Jebaie and Inés Oort Alonso. Malek is a sustainability and cities professional from Lebanon and a current MESPOM student who is deeply engaged in urban transitions and climate governance. Inés is also a current MESPOM student from Spain and the Netherlands with a passion for multimedia communication, food systems, and promoting the intersection of human and planetary health.