WAYS - Ecodesign Encounters

WAYS – Ecodesign Encounters from the Field

Episode #3 – Beth Hadley (WBCSD / PACT) Über WAYS

WAYS beleuchtet reale Erfahrungen an der Schnittstelle von Eco-Design, Produktnachhaltigkeit, digitaler Transformation und regulatorischer Vorbereitung (ESPR, Digitaler Produktpass, Daten-Governance, Twin Transformation). Für wen ist diese Episode relevant

• Produktmanager:innen in der nachhaltigen Produktentwicklung


• Nachhaltigkeits- und ESG-Verantwortliche


• IT- und Datenteams im Kontext von Produkttransparenz


• Unternehmen in Vorbereitung auf ESPR & DPP Zum Gast

Beth Hadley


World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) – PACT


Hintergrund in Data Science & Software Product Management Zum Gastgeber

Wolfgang Steiner | Founder, Ecoviator


LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wolfgangsteiner/


www.ecoviator.com Zusammenfassung

In diesem Walk-and-Talk entlang der Isar spricht Beth Hadley über ihren Weg von Data Science in die Nachhaltigkeit und ihre Arbeit an CO₂-Transparenz in globalen Lieferketten.


Im Zentrum stehen die praktischen Herausforderungen von Scope-3-Daten, die Rolle von Standards und der oft zitierte „Standards-Zoo“. Beth bringt eine klare, pragmatische Perspektive ein: Nachhaltigkeitssysteme und Datenreife entwickeln sich iterativ – nicht perfekt von Anfang an.


Zentrale Hürden sind fehlende Anreize, mangelnde Zusammenarbeit zwischen Abteilungen und unzureichende Datenqualität. Ihr Ansatz: „Minimum Viable Truth“ – Fokus auf die wichtigsten Impact-Kategorien, statt alles gleichzeitig messen zu wollen.


Die Episode zeigt, wie Unternehmen trotz unvollständiger Daten handlungsfähig werden – und warum Entscheidungen wichtiger sind als Perfektion.


Zum Abschluss gibt Beth einen Ausblick auf die nächsten fünf Jahre: klarere Standards, integrierte Softwarelösungen und der wachsende Einfluss von KI auf Datenqualität und Entscheidungsfindung. Warum reinhören

• Nachhaltigkeit operativ umsetzen – über Abteilungen hinweg


• Mit unvollständigen Daten sinnvoll arbeiten


• Product-Management-Denken auf Nachhaltigkeit übertragen


• Von Reporting zu echten Entscheidungen kommen


• Pragmatismus als Schlüssel zur Transformation Keywords

Eco-Design, Product Carbon Footprint, Scope 3, Lieferkette, Nachhaltigkeitsdaten, Standards, PACT, WBCSD, Digitaler Produktpass, KI Soundbites

• „Wir haben einen Standards-Zoo.“


• „Eine Entscheidung ist besser als keine.“


• „Priorisiere Handeln – nicht Reden.“


• „Perfekte Daten gibt es nicht.“ Kapitel (Auswahl)

00:00 Einstieg & Walk


02:26 Beths Weg


10:05 Scope 3


18:13 Minimum Viable Truth


26:51 Von Reporting zu Wirkung


33:39 Blick in die Zukunft


Content Type: Interview


Primary Goal: Bildung


Music Credits:


“Lullaby | Hip-Hop Instrumental” by kontraamusic (CC0)

WAYS – Ecodesign Encounters from the Field


Episode #2 – Jahanzeb Tariq (Viessmann Climate Solutions)


Why sustainable product design often fails not because of technology – but because the product data simply isn’t there.


About WAYS


WAYS explores real-world experiences at the intersection of eco-design, product sustainability, digital transformation and regulatory readiness (ESPR, Digital Product Passport, data governance and the twin transformation).


Who This Episode Is For


Relevant for:


• product managers working on sustainable product development


• sustainability and ESG leaders in manufacturing


• engineers integrating lifecycle thinking into product design


• teams preparing for ESPR or the Digital Product Passport


About the Guest


Jahanzeb Tariq


Global Manager Sustainability Innovation


Viessmann Climate Solutions


LinkedIn


https://www.linkedin.com/in/jahanzebtariq/


Company


https://www.viessmann-climatesolutions.com/


About the Host


Wolfgang Steiner


Founder, Ecoviator


LinkedIn


https://www.linkedin.com/in/wolfgangsteiner/


Ecoviator


https://www.ecoviator.com


Summary


In this conversation with Jahanzeb Tariq, we explore how eco-design becomes operational inside a global manufacturing organisation.


JT works at the intersection of engineering, sustainability and business innovation, helping product teams integrate sustainability KPIs into real product decisions.


The discussion touches on the practical challenges of introducing lifecycle thinking into complex industrial products. From manually weighing components during early lifecycle assessments to coordinating sustainability, engineering and product teams, the episode illustrates the organisational and data realities behind eco-design.


We also discuss product data maturity, system thinking in energy technologies and the growing role of the Digital Product Passport.


Why Listen


Practical insights on:


• translating sustainability goals into product development decisions


• using embodied carbon as a design KPI


• overcoming data challenges in lifecycle assessments


• coordinating cross-functional teams for eco-design


• why the future of sustainable product innovation lies in system thinking


Keywords


Eco-Design, Lifecycle Assessment, Product Sustainability, Sustainability Data, Digital Product Passport, ESPR, Product Development


Chapters


00:00 Intros


02:50 JT’s journey into sustainability


04:41 The organisational paradox


06:17 Embodied carbon as KPI


08:01 Aligning teams


11:31 System thinking


15:22 Data challenges in LCAs


20:06 System-agnostic energy solutions


23:23 Breaking silos


24:40 Switching off


26:59 Reflections


Content Type: Interview


Primary Goal: Education


Music Credits


“Lullaby | Hip-Hop Instrumental” by kontraamusic


Source: Freesound.org


Licensed under Creative Commons CC0

WAYS – Teaser Video as first entry


Why this podcast. Why now.


Climate change is happening. Regulations are tightening. Product transparency is no longer optional.


In this short teaser episode, Wolfgang Steiner – Founder of Ecoviator – shares why WAYS exists and what listeners can expect. The podcast explores real-world experiences at the intersection of eco-design, product sustainability, digital transformation, and regulatory readiness (ESPR, Digital Product Passport, data governance).


WAYS is not about theory. It is about practice.


Conversations with practitioners who are already walking the path – navigating complexity, building new capabilities, and turning sustainability into structured ways of working.


If you work in product development, sustainability, innovation, or data – this podcast is for you.


Music Credits:


“Lullaby | Hip-Hop Instrumental” by kontraamusic


Source: Freesound.org


Licensed under Creative Commons CC0 (public domain)

About WAYS – Ecodesign Encounters from the Field

The podcast explores real-world experiences and insights at the intersection of eco design, product sustainability, digital transformation and regulatory readiness (ESPR, Digital Product Passport, data governance, Twin Transformation). About the Host

Wolfgang Steiner


Founder, Ecoviator


LinkedIn:


https://www.linkedin.com/in/wolfgangsteiner/


Ecoviator:


https://www.ecoviator.com Episode Summary

In this teaser episode, Wolfgang Steiner provides an overview of the themes explored in the WAYS podcast. He discusses the challenges and opportunities in eco design and reflects on how organisations can integrate environmental considerations into their processes. Wolfgang shares personal experiences and insights gained from conversations with experts and practitioners in the field. Keywords

Eco design, sustainability, product development, environmental technology, product transparency, digital transformation Key Topics

• Introduction to the podcast themes


• The importance of eco design and product transparency


• Challenges and opportunities in product development


• Personal experiences and insights from Wolfgang Steiner Key Frameworks

• Digital Product Passports


• Transparency in product development Action Points

• Reflect on how transparency can be integrated into your product development processes


• Identify opportunities to strengthen environmental considerations within your organisation Soundbites

“New requirements and expectations around product sustainability and transparency.”


“Why not share these valuable conversations?” Chapters

00:00 Introduction to eco design and personal background


01:28 The importance of eco design and product transparency


02:26 Personal experiences and conversations with experts


03:25 Future perspectives for eco design


Content Type: Intro Trailer


Primary Goal: Introduction and generating interest Music Credits

“Lullaby | Hip-Hop Instrumental” by kontraamusic


Source: Freesound.org


Licensed under Creative Commons CC0 (public domain)