Michael Lenaghan

Michael is an Associate Director with Anthesis’ UK Business where he applies his expertise in lifecycle assessment (LCA) and the circular economy to help clients understand their environmental impacts and convert great analysis into the bold and decisive action and leadership the climate and biodiversity crises require.

Michael has worked with some of the world’s leading companies, and governments, to measure and reduce their environmental impacts, improve product and service design, develop innovative business models, and drive sustainable behaviour change both internally and among stakeholders.

Before joining Anthesis, Michael was Zero Waste Scotland’s Environmental Policy Advisor, where he worked across a wide range of high-impact policy areas, including waste and the circular economy, sustainable protein, the bioeconomy, single-use packaging, and industrial decarbonisation.

Michael has supported Scotland’s public sector and countless Scottish businesses to measure and reduce their carbon footprints using circular economy solutions. He has played a key role in the development of Scotland’s environmental policies, including the Deposit Return Scheme, forthcoming single-use cup charge, and proposed national protein strategy. he has also been a leading contributor to the waste chapter of Scotland’s climate strategy and oversaw publication of Scotland’s world-leading Carbon Metric and new Material Flows Account.

Before joining Zero Waste Scotland, Michael worked as the Waste and Recycling Manager for the District of oak Bay in his hometown of Victoria, Canada. He received his BA in Environmental Studies and Political Science from the University of Victoria, and his MSc in Ecological Economics from the University of Edinburgh.