Manuel Maqueda

Harvard University Special Programs Instructor. Founder @ SUPER® -Single-Use Plastic Elimination or Reduction- Expert in Circular Economy - Regenerative Economy - AI for Climate - Innovation - Impact Entrepreneurship

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Manuel Maqueda 's Biography

Manuel Maqueda is an international teacher, speaker and innovator with a focus on restoring the balance of living systems, and reversing climate change. Maqueda teaches Applied Circular Economics and Regenerative Economics at Harvard University -Division of Continuing Education. He created the Circular Economy Online Course at the University of California, Berkeley and the Circular Economy Program at UCLA Extension. He teaches and lectures on Circular and Regenerative Economics and Innovation at other international universities and business schools. Recognized as an expert in plastic pollution, Manuel Maqueda is co-founder of several notable organizations, such as the Plastic Pollution Coalition, and SUPER (Single-Use Plastics Elimination or Reduction), a nonprofit enabling businesses to eliminate single-use plastics through a tiered certification program. As a forward-thinker, Manuel is member of the Strategic Foresight Board of the Circular Economy Alliance and has consulted for notable futurist organizations, such as Jeff-Bezos-funded Long Now Foundation, dedicated to fostering long-term thinking in the context of the next 10,000 years. Manuel researches how Artificial Intelligence can partner with human ingenuity to enable a regenerative economy. He co-founded Viento.ai, an organization pioneering the use of machine learning to design proactive responses to climate disasters. As a speaker, Manuel Maqueda’s clients include Google, Uber, Salesforce, Santander, LinkedIn, NASA, Institute for the Future, Dell, Foresight Institute, Green Festival, Circular City Week, New Plastics Economy Conference, Plastic-Free World and the Government of the State of Washington, among dozens of others. Manuel Maqueda’s speaking style is mind-opening, memorable, and empowering.

SPEAKING VIDEOS
PHOTOS

The New Radical: Manuel Maqueda at TEDxPlazaCibeles

Manuel Maqueda - Reels (ENG)

Forget recycling, we should build things that last a lifetime

SPEAKER TOPICS

Climate Change Speakers

Sustainability Speakers

Future Trends Speakers

Future of Humanity Speakers

Disruptive Innovation Speakers

Disruptive Change Speakers

Global Economy Speakers

Global Strategy Speakers

Artificial Intelligence Speakers

Future of Mobility & Smart Cities Speakers

Start-Ups & Entrepreneurship Speakers

Business Speakers

Manuel Maqueda Keynote Topics

The Circular Economy Revolution: It's Not What You Think, But How You Think

In this keynote, our speaker Manuel Maqueda reframes the circular economy as a shift in mindset rather than just a set of practices. He explains how rethinking design, production, and consumption can restore balance to living systems.

Audiences learn how adopting circular thinking drives resilience, innovation, and long-term sustainability.

The Future Of Sustainability: Are You Ready For The Disruption?

In this talk, Manuel Maqueda explores the major disruptions reshaping sustainability—from shifting regulations to consumer expectations and technological advances. He challenges audiences to prepare for rapid changes ahead.

Our speaker equips leaders with strategies to stay competitive in a world demanding authentic sustainability.

Regenerative Economics: The Next Frontier For Sustainability

In this session, Manuel Maqueda introduces regenerative economics as a bold step beyond sustainability. He shows how regenerative systems restore ecosystems, enhance resilience, and drive long-term prosperity.

Audiences leave inspired to embrace regenerative models that benefit both people and the planet.

Sustainability: How To Fail Miserably At It

In this keynote, Manuel Maqueda highlights the common pitfalls organisations face in their sustainability efforts. He shares cautionary tales of superficial initiatives that fail to create impact.

Our speaker provides a roadmap for avoiding greenwashing and building genuinely effective strategies.

Climate Action Failure Guaranteed: When Simple But Wrong Defeats Complicated But Right

In this provocative talk, Manuel Maqueda examines why society often chooses convenient but ineffective climate actions. He challenges audiences to confront hard truths and embrace the complexity of real solutions.

Attendees gain a deeper understanding of how to prioritise impactful, science-based climate strategies.

Eight Inconvenient Truths About Plastics: Everything You Didn’t Know You Don’t Know About Plastics

In this session, Manuel Maqueda uncovers the hidden realities of plastic pollution. He reveals surprising facts about the production, use, and impact of plastics on ecosystems and human health.

Audiences gain the knowledge needed to reduce reliance on plastics and advocate for systemic change.

Journey To Midway

In this moving keynote, Manuel Maqueda shares his personal journey to Midway Island, one of the most polluted places on Earth. Through vivid storytelling, he highlights the devastating impact of plastic waste on wildlife and oceans.

Our speaker inspires audiences to act with urgency and compassion in the fight against pollution.

Will AI Destroy, Or Save The World?

In this talk, Manuel Maqueda explores the dual role of artificial intelligence in shaping our planet’s future. He examines how AI can worsen environmental crises—or become a powerful tool for regeneration.

Audiences leave with a clear vision of how to harness AI for sustainable, life-affirming change.

Manuel Maqueda 's Biography

Manuel Maqueda is an international teacher, speaker and innovator with a focus on restoring the balance of living systems, and reversing climate change.

Maqueda teaches Applied Circular Economics and Regenerative Economics at Harvard University -Division of Continuing Education. He created the Circular Economy Online Course at the University of California, Berkeley and the Circular Economy Program at UCLA Extension. He teaches and lectures on Circular and Regenerative Economics and Innovation at other international universities and business schools.

Recognized as an expert in plastic pollution, Manuel Maqueda is co-founder of several notable organizations, such as the Plastic Pollution Coalition, and SUPER (Single-Use Plastics Elimination or Reduction), a nonprofit enabling businesses to eliminate single-use plastics through a tiered certification program.

As a forward-thinker, Manuel is member of the Strategic Foresight Board of the Circular Economy Alliance and has consulted for notable futurist organizations, such as Jeff-Bezos-funded Long Now Foundation, dedicated to fostering long-term thinking in the context of the next 10,000 years.

Manuel researches how Artificial Intelligence can partner with human ingenuity to enable a regenerative economy. He co-founded Viento.ai, an organization pioneering the use of machine learning to design proactive responses to climate disasters.

As a speaker, Manuel Maqueda’s clients include Google, Uber, Salesforce, Santander, LinkedIn, NASA, Institute for the Future, Dell, Foresight Institute, Green Festival, Circular City Week, New Plastics Economy Conference, Plastic-Free World and the Government of the State of Washington, among dozens of others.

Manuel Maqueda’s speaking style is mind-opening, memorable, and empowering.