Financing the Future: Hilde Sijbring on Making Circular Finance the Norm

The financial sector is a critical player in the transition to a circular economy, and Hilde Sijbring is at the forefront of this transformation. With nine years at Rabobank, Hilde shifted her focus to integrating circular principles into finance. As co-founder of the Circular Finance Lab and now a Senior Policy Advisor for Sustainability at the Dutch Banking Association, Hilde is leveraging finance as a powerful tool for change. This episode of Circular Pioneers delves into her journey, her mission to make circular finance the norm, and the vital role that finance plays in shaping a sustainable future.

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Why This Episode Matters: In the world of finance, the shift towards sustainability is not just a trend—it's a necessity. In Hilde’s words “There is no transition without finance. Circularity must become the norm in the financial sector for a sustainable future.” Thus, understanding how finance can support and accelerate this transition is crucial. Hilde Sijbring’s insights offer a roadmap for how financial institutions can integrate circular principles into their core processes, paving the way for sustainable business models that are both resilient and profitable. This episode is essential listening for financial professionals, investors, and anyone interested in the intersection of finance and sustainability.

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Key Highlights:

The Circular Finance Lab: Hilde discusses the founding of the Circular Finance Lab with Elisa Achterberg, aiming to bridge the gap between circular entrepreneurs and financiers. 

Challenges in Circular Finance: Despite the growing awareness of circular business models, many financiers are still hesitant to invest due to perceived risks and lower short-term profits. Hilde explains why this mindset needs to change and how the financial sector can evolve to support sustainable businesses.

The Importance of Risk Assessment: One of the major barriers to circular finance is the traditional approach to risk assessment, which often overlooks the long-term benefits of circular business models. Hilde highlights the need for new tools, such as the Circular Risk Scorecard, to better evaluate and support circular enterprises.

Steps Toward Change: Hilde outlines the key steps the financial sector must take to integrate circular principles by 2030, including the development of new financial instruments, cooperation between government and financial institutions, and the inclusion of circular metrics in risk assessments.

Global Impact: While the Netherlands is a frontrunner in circular finance, Hilde emphasizes the need for global cooperation and alignment, particularly in developing a common language and standards for circular finance.

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Conclusion: The transition to a circular economy is heavily dependent on the financial sector’s ability to adapt and innovate. Hilde Sijbring’s work with the Circular Finance Lab and the Dutch Banking Association is paving the way for a financial system that supports sustainability at its core. As more companies recognize the importance of circular principles, the role of finance in enabling this shift becomes ever more critical. This episode of Circular Pioneers is a must-listen for anyone interested in how finance can be a catalyst for sustainable change.

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Relevant Links:

Hilde Sijbring on LinkedIn: LinkedIn Profile

Circular Finance Lab: Circular Finance Lab

Dutch Banking Association: Dutch Banking Association

InvestNL - Kopgroep Circulair Financieren: InvestNL Circular Financing

X-Tax Project: X-Tax Project