Aotearoa's clean, green reputation is one we should be proud of, though manufacturing sustainably can still be a challenge for most of us. With a background in environmental engineering and industrial design, and with the circular economy and social innovation at the heart of her work, Dr Gabriela Baron argues that the most effective, “greenest” and best opportunities for sustainable solutions exist beyond the product level. Using case studies, she will discuss multiple approaches and ideas with which to tackle this important issue: through a design lens, systems-based interventions, biological perspectives (including biomimicry), to product life cycles, and more. Ultimately, she will consider how professionals in a range of fields can seek opportunities for radical change and innovation, while taking responsibility to ensure that sustainability becomes more than a buzzword to us.

Dr Gabriela Baron is a Lecturer at the University of Auckland's School of Design with her specialist teaching, supervisory and research interests being in the field of human-centred design strategies around environmental sustainability, conservation and social innovation. She is a Design Strategist focused on Conservation, Sustainability and Social Innovation with a deep-seated belief in co-creation and collaboration for resilient innovation. She studied Industrial Design in Argentina, received a specialist Master's in Product Service System Design from Politécnico di Milano and holds a PhD in Environmental Engineering. Read more on her DESIGN 4CONSERVATION website.