For the past decade, the Circular Economy has been heralded as a solution to climate change and biodiversity loss. Governments and businesses worldwide have embraced the concept, launching hundreds of pilot projects. Yet, despite these efforts, it’s not scaling. The question is: why?

After four years at the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, working closely with businesses and policymakers on circular transitions, Gaëlle has identified five major barriers to scaling the Circular Economy. The surprising truth? Designers already have the tools, mindsets, and influence to break through these challenges and drive real change.

This session unpacks how design can unlock scale—moving beyond isolated pilots to systemic impact. Attendees will gain a deeper understanding of climate science, circular economy principles, and the critical role design plays in accelerating adoption. More importantly, they’ll leave with a clear framework for action—practical steps they can take to help their organizations transition from ambition to reality.

Reflecting key elements of the themes Steps Forward, Equipping New Craft, and Design in Democracy, this talk explores how designers can shape sustainable futures through systemic thinking and hands-on innovation. The future isn’t just about better policies or technologies—it’s about better design. By shifting perspectives, rethinking systems, and leveraging creativity, we can move the Circular Economy from theory to transformation.

Gaëlle Le Gélard is a Design Lead for Sustainability and a Circular Economy expert, dedicated to helping businesses navigate their transition toward a more regenerative future. She works closely with innovation and design teams, guiding them to envision what their business could look like in a circular world and collaborating across functions to turn that vision into reality.

During her time at McKinsey and the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, Gaëlle worked with companies of all sizes to accelerate their circular transition. She led a team focused on driving Circular Economy innovation within and between businesses—publishing thought-leadership pieces, facilitating design sprints, and building coalitions for action. Notably, she presented a report on the path to a regenerative food system at COP26 in Glasgow.

Recently, her focus has been on the roles of marketing, design, and supply chain teams in unlocking the barriers to scaling circular pilots, as well as the ways AI could support SMEs in their sustainability journey.