Podcaster
Episoden
03.06.2026
47 Minuten
WAYS – Ecodesign Encounters from the Field
Episode #6 – The Human Side of Circular Economy – Mihaela Stefanescu (UNFCCC)
About WAYS
WAYS explores real-world experiences at the intersection of ecodesign, circular economy, product sustainability and the systems that help make sustainable transformation possible.
Who This Episode Is For
Relevant for sustainability professionals, policy makers, product teams, circular economy practitioners and anyone interested in the connection between climate action and product design.
About the Guest
Mihaela Stefanescu
Circular Economy and Climate Governance Expert | UNFCCC Roster of Experts | Senior Counselor to the Romanian Ministry of Environment, Waters and Forests https://www.linkedin.com/in/mihaela-stefanescu-9b76702/
About the Host
Wolfgang Steiner
Founder & Owner, Ecoviator
https://www.linkedin.com/in/wolfgangsteiner/
https://www.ecoviator.com
Summary
In this episode, Wolfgang speaks with Mihaela Stefanescu about the relationship between circular economy, climate policy and product design.
Mihaela shares insights from her work on circular economy policy and as a nominated expert on the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) roster of experts supporting technical reviews under the Paris Agreement.
Together they explore why circularity is essential for achieving climate goals, why waste is often the result of design decisions made long before a product reaches consumers, and why repairability, transparency and material choices play a crucial role in creating more sustainable systems.
The conversation also highlights a theme often overlooked in technical discussions: circular economy is not only a challenge of technology and regulation, but also one of governance, education, trust and human behaviour.
Topics Discussed
• Circular economy and climate action
• The role of the UNFCCC and Paris Agreement
• Why waste is often a design problem
• Repairability and product longevity
• Material choices and product sustainability
• Transparency and Digital Product Passports
• Building trust across countries and value chains
• The human side of circular economy
Presented by Ecoviator
Your Journey Companion for the Twin Transformation of Products
https://www.ecoviator.com
Music Credits: “Lullaby | Hip-Hop Instrumental” by kontraamusic Source: Freesound.org Licensed under Creative Commons CC0
Episode #6 – The Human Side of Circular Economy – Mihaela Stefanescu (UNFCCC)
About WAYS
WAYS explores real-world experiences at the intersection of ecodesign, circular economy, product sustainability and the systems that help make sustainable transformation possible.
Who This Episode Is For
Relevant for sustainability professionals, policy makers, product teams, circular economy practitioners and anyone interested in the connection between climate action and product design.
About the Guest
Mihaela Stefanescu
Circular Economy and Climate Governance Expert | UNFCCC Roster of Experts | Senior Counselor to the Romanian Ministry of Environment, Waters and Forests https://www.linkedin.com/in/mihaela-stefanescu-9b76702/
About the Host
Wolfgang Steiner
Founder & Owner, Ecoviator
https://www.linkedin.com/in/wolfgangsteiner/
https://www.ecoviator.com
Summary
In this episode, Wolfgang speaks with Mihaela Stefanescu about the relationship between circular economy, climate policy and product design.
Mihaela shares insights from her work on circular economy policy and as a nominated expert on the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) roster of experts supporting technical reviews under the Paris Agreement.
Together they explore why circularity is essential for achieving climate goals, why waste is often the result of design decisions made long before a product reaches consumers, and why repairability, transparency and material choices play a crucial role in creating more sustainable systems.
The conversation also highlights a theme often overlooked in technical discussions: circular economy is not only a challenge of technology and regulation, but also one of governance, education, trust and human behaviour.
Topics Discussed
• Circular economy and climate action
• The role of the UNFCCC and Paris Agreement
• Why waste is often a design problem
• Repairability and product longevity
• Material choices and product sustainability
• Transparency and Digital Product Passports
• Building trust across countries and value chains
• The human side of circular economy
Presented by Ecoviator
Your Journey Companion for the Twin Transformation of Products
https://www.ecoviator.com
Music Credits: “Lullaby | Hip-Hop Instrumental” by kontraamusic Source: Freesound.org Licensed under Creative Commons CC0
Mehr
20.05.2026
32 Minuten
Über WAYS:
WAYS beleuchtet echte Erfahrungen an der Schnittstelle von Eco-Design, Circular Economy, Produktnachhaltigkeit, digitaler Transformation und Regulatory Readiness (u. a. ESPR, Digital Product Passport, Daten-Governance).
Für wen diese Episode gedacht ist:
Relevant für Produktdesigner:innen, Produktmanager:innen, Sustainability Teams, Hersteller sowie Akteure aus Recycling, Refurbishment, und Repair.
Über den Gast: Christian Aschenbrenner
Gründer & Geschäftsführer, PA GmbH (we-are-pa.com) – „Circular Architects“ mit Fokus auf profitablere Recyclinglösungen, insbesondere WEEE (E-Waste) und große Hausgeräte.
Über den Host: Wolfgang Steiner
Founder, Ecoviator
https://www.linkedin.com/in/wolfgangsteiner/
https://www.ecoviator.com
Summary:
In dieser Episode spreche ich mit Christian Aschenbrenner über Kreislaufwirtschaft dort, wo sie oft am wenigsten glamourös – aber am wirkungsvollsten – ist: im Recyclingprozess selbst. Christian beschreibt, warum echte Zirkularität nicht mit „mehr Recycling“ beginnt, sondern mit besserer Trennung, saubereren Fraktionen und Materialqualitäten, die am Markt wirklich bestehen können.
Key Topics:
• Zero Waste WEEE: Anspruch, Nutzen, Grenzen
• Industrialisierung im Recycling: Qualität, Standards, Prozessfähigkeit
• Skalierung: Mengenlogik der Hersteller vs. Realität der Stoffströme
• Design for Disassembly: Kleben/Materialmix als Circularity-Blocker
• DPP aus Recycler-Perspektive: welche Infos wirklich fehlen
• KI & Robotik für E-Waste-Behandlung (inkl. Demontage)
• Wertschöpfungskette auf Augenhöhe: Zusammenarbeit als Voraussetzung
Soundbites:
• „Kreislaufwirtschaft entscheidet sich im konkreten Prozess – nicht im Konzeptpapier.“
• „Zero Waste WEEE ist ein Zielbild – und es gibt viel Potenzial zu holen.“
• „Hersteller brauchen Masse und gleichbleibende Qualität – nicht viele unterschiedliche Qualitäten.“
Chapters:
00:00 Intro & Kontext
02:03 Vor Ort bei PA: Recycling, Refurb, Repair
04:42 Zero Waste WEEE – was heißt das praktisch?
10:43 Industrialisierung im Recycling & Qualitätslogik
14:31 Designentscheidungen, die Circularity blocken
16:42 DPP: fehlende Infos aus Sicht der Recycler
24:56 Blick nach vorn: Robotik & KI in der E-Waste-Behandlung
27:33 „Wenn Hersteller nur eine Sache tun…“ (First Step)
Content Type: Interview
Primary Goal: Education
Music Credits:
“Lullaby | Hip-Hop Instrumental” by kontraamusic
Source: Freesound.org
Licensed under Creative Commons CC0
WAYS beleuchtet echte Erfahrungen an der Schnittstelle von Eco-Design, Circular Economy, Produktnachhaltigkeit, digitaler Transformation und Regulatory Readiness (u. a. ESPR, Digital Product Passport, Daten-Governance).
Für wen diese Episode gedacht ist:
Relevant für Produktdesigner:innen, Produktmanager:innen, Sustainability Teams, Hersteller sowie Akteure aus Recycling, Refurbishment, und Repair.
Über den Gast: Christian Aschenbrenner
Gründer & Geschäftsführer, PA GmbH (we-are-pa.com) – „Circular Architects“ mit Fokus auf profitablere Recyclinglösungen, insbesondere WEEE (E-Waste) und große Hausgeräte.
Über den Host: Wolfgang Steiner
Founder, Ecoviator
https://www.linkedin.com/in/wolfgangsteiner/
https://www.ecoviator.com
Summary:
In dieser Episode spreche ich mit Christian Aschenbrenner über Kreislaufwirtschaft dort, wo sie oft am wenigsten glamourös – aber am wirkungsvollsten – ist: im Recyclingprozess selbst. Christian beschreibt, warum echte Zirkularität nicht mit „mehr Recycling“ beginnt, sondern mit besserer Trennung, saubereren Fraktionen und Materialqualitäten, die am Markt wirklich bestehen können.
Key Topics:
• Zero Waste WEEE: Anspruch, Nutzen, Grenzen
• Industrialisierung im Recycling: Qualität, Standards, Prozessfähigkeit
• Skalierung: Mengenlogik der Hersteller vs. Realität der Stoffströme
• Design for Disassembly: Kleben/Materialmix als Circularity-Blocker
• DPP aus Recycler-Perspektive: welche Infos wirklich fehlen
• KI & Robotik für E-Waste-Behandlung (inkl. Demontage)
• Wertschöpfungskette auf Augenhöhe: Zusammenarbeit als Voraussetzung
Soundbites:
• „Kreislaufwirtschaft entscheidet sich im konkreten Prozess – nicht im Konzeptpapier.“
• „Zero Waste WEEE ist ein Zielbild – und es gibt viel Potenzial zu holen.“
• „Hersteller brauchen Masse und gleichbleibende Qualität – nicht viele unterschiedliche Qualitäten.“
Chapters:
00:00 Intro & Kontext
02:03 Vor Ort bei PA: Recycling, Refurb, Repair
04:42 Zero Waste WEEE – was heißt das praktisch?
10:43 Industrialisierung im Recycling & Qualitätslogik
14:31 Designentscheidungen, die Circularity blocken
16:42 DPP: fehlende Infos aus Sicht der Recycler
24:56 Blick nach vorn: Robotik & KI in der E-Waste-Behandlung
27:33 „Wenn Hersteller nur eine Sache tun…“ (First Step)
Content Type: Interview
Primary Goal: Education
Music Credits:
“Lullaby | Hip-Hop Instrumental” by kontraamusic
Source: Freesound.org
Licensed under Creative Commons CC0
Mehr
05.05.2026
40 Minuten
WAYS – Ecodesign Encounters from the Field
Episode #4 – Efrat Friedland (Materialscout)
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 designers, product managers, sustainability teams and organisations working on better material choices, circularity and eco-design readiness. About the Guest
Efrat Friedland Founder, Materialscout About the Host
Wolfgang Steiner Founder, Ecoviator https://www.linkedin.com/in/wolfgangsteiner/ https://www.ecoviator.com Summary
In this episode, Wolfgang speaks with Efrat Friedland, material expert and founder of Materialscout, about the role of materials in sustainable product design.
Efrat shares her journey from industrial design into material expertise – shaped by the realisation that the world does not simply need more products, but better decisions on what products are made of.
The conversation explores how material choices influence environmental impact, product perception, storytelling and collaboration across design, engineering, procurement and marketing. Through a real-world case with BSH / Bosch Siemens Hausgeräte, Efrat shows how teams can align around better material decisions – and how easily sustainability claims such as “recyclable” can be misunderstood.
A key insight: material selection alone does not define sustainability. Materials may represent only one part of a product’s footprint, but they remain a powerful lever when combined with lifecycle thinking, supply chain strategy and portfolio-level decisions.
Looking ahead, Efrat calls for reduced material complexity, fewer unnecessary product variants, closed material loops and a shift in mindset: brands should start seeing materials as their own long-term assets. Key Topics
• Materials as emotional and strategic product drivers • BSH case: recycled materials in consumer electronics • Recyclable vs. recycled – terminology matters • Limits of material impact in lifecycle assessments • Barriers to adopting new materials • Positive Plastics as a learning tool for designers • Closing material loops and reducing portfolio complexity Action Items
• Reduce unnecessary material complexity • Align design, procurement, engineering and marketing early • Think beyond one product: look at the whole portfolio • Prioritise lower material use, not only material substitution • Explore take-back and closed-loop material systems Soundbites
• “We don’t need more products – we need better material decisions.” • “Recyclable does not mean recycled.” • “Brands should think of materials as their own assets.” Chapters
00:00 Introduction 05:31 From designer to material expert 11:35 BSH material case 17:04 Recyclability claims 20:05 Materials and LCA 22:58 Introducing better materials 28:20 Positive Plastics 31:43 Future material standards 35:50 Making eco-design the norm
Content Type: Interview
Primary Goal: Education
Music Credits: “Lullaby | Hip-Hop Instrumental” by kontraamusic Source: Freesound.org Licensed under Creative Commons CC0
Episode #4 – Efrat Friedland (Materialscout)
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 designers, product managers, sustainability teams and organisations working on better material choices, circularity and eco-design readiness. About the Guest
Efrat Friedland Founder, Materialscout About the Host
Wolfgang Steiner Founder, Ecoviator https://www.linkedin.com/in/wolfgangsteiner/ https://www.ecoviator.com Summary
In this episode, Wolfgang speaks with Efrat Friedland, material expert and founder of Materialscout, about the role of materials in sustainable product design.
Efrat shares her journey from industrial design into material expertise – shaped by the realisation that the world does not simply need more products, but better decisions on what products are made of.
The conversation explores how material choices influence environmental impact, product perception, storytelling and collaboration across design, engineering, procurement and marketing. Through a real-world case with BSH / Bosch Siemens Hausgeräte, Efrat shows how teams can align around better material decisions – and how easily sustainability claims such as “recyclable” can be misunderstood.
A key insight: material selection alone does not define sustainability. Materials may represent only one part of a product’s footprint, but they remain a powerful lever when combined with lifecycle thinking, supply chain strategy and portfolio-level decisions.
Looking ahead, Efrat calls for reduced material complexity, fewer unnecessary product variants, closed material loops and a shift in mindset: brands should start seeing materials as their own long-term assets. Key Topics
• Materials as emotional and strategic product drivers • BSH case: recycled materials in consumer electronics • Recyclable vs. recycled – terminology matters • Limits of material impact in lifecycle assessments • Barriers to adopting new materials • Positive Plastics as a learning tool for designers • Closing material loops and reducing portfolio complexity Action Items
• Reduce unnecessary material complexity • Align design, procurement, engineering and marketing early • Think beyond one product: look at the whole portfolio • Prioritise lower material use, not only material substitution • Explore take-back and closed-loop material systems Soundbites
• “We don’t need more products – we need better material decisions.” • “Recyclable does not mean recycled.” • “Brands should think of materials as their own assets.” Chapters
00:00 Introduction 05:31 From designer to material expert 11:35 BSH material case 17:04 Recyclability claims 20:05 Materials and LCA 22:58 Introducing better materials 28:20 Positive Plastics 31:43 Future material standards 35:50 Making eco-design the norm
Content Type: Interview
Primary Goal: Education
Music Credits: “Lullaby | Hip-Hop Instrumental” by kontraamusic Source: Freesound.org Licensed under Creative Commons CC0
Mehr
19.03.2026
41 Minuten
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)
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)
Mehr
05.03.2026
28 Minuten
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
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
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jahanzebtariq/
Company
https://www.viessmann-climatesolutions.com/
About the Host
Wolfgang Steiner
Founder, Ecoviator
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
Mehr
Über diesen Podcast
WAYS – Ecodesign Encounters from the Field
Because ecodesign is not a checklist.
It’s a journey you take.
On WAYS, we meet people who are paving new paths for
sustainable products and services.
Straight from practice – in walking conversations or studio
discussions.
We share perspectives on ecodesign in practice, the ESPR
regulation, Digital Product Passports, data management, and the
circular economy.
Because ecodesign creates products and services that are fit for
the future.
Hosted by Wolfgang Steiner (Ecoviator).
New episodes every two weeks. Subscribe & share!
ecoviator.com/ways
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