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Julia Hailes MBE
Julia Hailes is a trailblazing environmentalist with nearly 40 years of experience challenging the status quo and advocating for systemic change. In 1987, she co founded the pioneering consultancy SustainAbility Ltd with John Elkington, and has since been at the forefront of sustainability discourse – shaping corporate strategies and influencing public policy worldwide.
About Julia Hailes MBE
Julia has written or co-written nine books, including the million-selling Green Consumer Guide, which empowered consumers to make environmentally conscious choices and helped to launch a global movement. Julia is known for her entertaining, humorous, and fiercely honest style. She doesn’t mince her words – and audiences love her for it. As McDonald’s once put it: “We asked Julia to be challenging and provocative – and she sure as hell fulfilled her brief.”
Currently, as Director of Rubbish Ideas, Julia champions the circular economy and a waste-free world. As an Ambassador for the Rainforest Trust, she supports the protection of tropical ecosystems and promotes eco-tourism as a vital alternative to destructive industries. She’s also become a powerful voice for rewilding, recently interviewing Isabella Tree – the so-called Queen of Wilding – at the Bridport Literary Festival.
In 2004, Julia co-founded the Haller Foundation, inspired by the ecological restoration work of Dr René Haller in Kenya. The foundation supports sustainable agriculture and community-based conservation, transforming degraded landscapes into thriving ecosystems. Although no longer directly involved, Julia celebrated Haller’s 20th anniversary in 2024 as it continues its impactful work across Kenya.
Julia’s influence spans a wide range of sectors and organisations, including major corporates such as Procter & Gamble, Unilever, British Airways, Shell, and Marks & Spencer. Recent speaking engagements include The Big Zero Show in Coventry and Bankers for Net Zero at the Houses of Parliament, where she delivered compelling insights and bold challenges to business-as-usual thinking.
In recognition of her environmental contributions, Julia was elected to the UN Global 500 Roll of Honour in 1992 and was awarded an MBE in 1999
To book Keynote Speaker Julia Hailes MBE, contact The Speakers Agency on +44(0)1332 810481 or email enquiries@thespeakersagency.com
System Change, Not Climate Change
A compelling critique of incremental environmental efforts, advocating for deep, systemic change to meet today’s challenges.
Rubbish Ideas: The Circular Economy in Action
Exploring innovative approaches to achieving a zero-waste world and how businesses can transition to circular, sustainable models.
Wilding: Reconnecting with Nature
Insights from hosting the UK’s first Wilding Weekend, exploring rewilding’s role in biodiversity recovery – and practical tips on how to wild your own garden.
Eco-Tourism: A Lifeline for Rainforests
Based on Julia’s recent travels in the Guyanas, this talk highlights how responsible tourism can offer a sustainable alternative to logging, mining, and agribusiness.
Green Consumerism: Empowering Change
An exploration of consumer influence and market forces on environmental outcomes, drawing on themes from Julia’s bestselling books.
Food & Agriculture: Sustainable Practices
A look at the link between food systems, consumer choice, and environmental health – with a focus on regenerative agriculture and ethical consumption.
Education & Youth Engagement
Drawing from The Young Green Consumer Guide and years of school talks, Julia explores how to spark environmental passion in younger generations.
Plastics & Packaging: Reducing Environmental Impact
Practical solutions for tackling plastic pollution and excessive packaging – and how to make sense of what’s really eco-friendly.
Building & Development
From eco-renovation to solarpunk, Julia explores how we can design circular, regenerative, and dynamic buildings to create a sustainable future.
Energy & Electrification
With over 40 kWh of solar panels at her Dorset home, plus batteries, heat pumps and an EV, Julia shares real-life insights into the challenges and opportunities of decarbonising domestic energy.
