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The climate and biodiversity crisis affects us all. Our planet faces unsustainable rising temperatures and the destruction of natural habitats. But there is hope. Our growing community of student leaders and activists are at the forefront of climate action.
The Sustainability Leadership Conference, co-delivered by Sustainable UCL and Students' Union UCL, will bring together students, experts, and organisations to discuss the biggest issue facing the world today, and how to tackle it.
The next generation of climate leaders are studying at UCL today and the Sustainability Leadership Conference will empower students to find sustainable solutions to global issues.
This two-day event is a unique opportunity for UCL students of any degree programme to hear from more than 70 sustainability experts who are making a difference in the world today. Whether you are a first-year undergraduate student or a PhD researcher, this event will provide the knowledge, skills, and networking opportunities to transform you into a sustainability leader of the future.
The conference aims to inspire, upskill, and empower students to become climate leaders and is themed around three key strands:
🌎 Understanding climate change and environmental sustainability.
🌍 Sustainability leadership.
🌏 Skills development including communication skills.
The Sustainability Leadership Conference
📅 21 - 22 April 2026
📍UCL East
- Who is the conference for?
All students, at any level of study, who have an interest in sustainability and climate change. No prior experience of studying climate change or sustainability is required.
- How do I get to Marshgate?
UCL East (Marshgate), 7 Sidings Street, Stratford, London E20 2AE Marshgate on Google Maps
By Train
The closest train stations are:
Stratford 10-min walk (Underground Central and Jubilee Lines, Elizabeth Line, Overground, DLR, Rail)
Stratford International 11-min walk (DLR, Highspeed Rail)
Pudding Mill Lane 12-min walk (DLR)
Hackney Wick 19-min walk (Overground)
By Bus
The closest bus stop is London Aquatics Centre.
From Bloomsbury
Approximate travel times
using the Underground or train from our UCL Bloomsbury campus in central London to our UCL East campus in Stratford in east London, including walking to and from stations:
37 minutes via the South Eastern Javelin service from St Pancras to Stratford International.
38 minutes via Warren Street (Northern Line) to Tottenham Court Road (Elizabeth Line) to Stratford
39 minutes via Euston Square (Circle or Hammersmith & City or Metropolitan Line) to Liverpool Street (Central Line) to Stratford.
39 minutes via Euston Square (Circle or Hammersmith & City or Metropolotan Line) to Liverpool Street (Elizabeth Line) to Stratford.
40 minute (approx.) cycle ride.
42 minutes via Warren Street (Victoria Line), changing at Highbury and Islington onto the Overground to Stratford.
These are typical times as calculated using the Citymapper travel app.
Accessible parking and cycle racks
Our UCL East campus is predominantly car-free. However, there is a drop-off point and there are a number of disabled parking bays nearby. Accessible parking spaces can be reserved on site. There is secure cycle storage for students and staff as well as bicycle racks for the public to use.
- Who is running the conference?
The conference is run as a partnership between Sustainable UCL and Students' Union UCL.
- Is there a cost?
The conference costs £10 to attend, with lunch and refreshments provided. Delegates are expected to make their own travel and accommodation arrangements.
- Who is speaking at the conference?
We have a packed programme featuring leading sustainability experts from a wide range of fields. Our speakers represent the full spectrum of the sustainability movement. Expect insights from thought leaders, innovators, and changemakers driving impact around the world.
Pre-conference videos
What's the secret to effective sustainability leadership?
Join Jason Clarke, Assistant Director of Sustainability at UCL, as he shares strategies for driving sustainability within a complex organisation. With a team of 12 professionals, Jason leads efforts to make UCL a sustainability leader in higher education. Learn about effective communication, problem-solving, and resilience in sustainability leadership.
Climate Change and the Urgent Need for Action
Join Mark Maslin, a Professor of Earth System Science at UCL, as he discusses the consequences of climate change, the importance of collective action, and the need for new sustainability leaders in response to the climate crisis.
What is climate justice?
Join Lisa Vanhala, a Professor of Political Science at UCL, as she explores the concept of climate justice and its importance in responding to the climate crisis. From addressing inequality in climate impacts, to amplifying marginalised voices, she underscores the importance of inclusive decision-making processes and the validation of diverse forms of knowledge.
Day 1 - Tuesday 21 April
Learning from Experts
Select one session from each time slot.
| time | SESSION One | SESSION two | SESSION three | SESSION FOUR | Session five |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 09:30 - 09:50 | REGISTRATION 📍 Marshgate Reception | ||||
| 09:50 - 10:00 | Welcome / Opening Remarks Dan Hall, Senior Sustainability Communications & Engagement Officer, UCL 📍 Marshgate Main Lecture Theatre | ||||
| 10:00 - 10:15 | Keynote opening address: Mete Coban MBE, Deputy Mayor of London for Environment and Energy 📍 Marshgate Main Lecture Theatre | ||||
| 10:15 - 11:30 | Keynote panel: Taking the temperature – what does sustainability mean in 2026? What are the key trends in sustainability in 2026? This panel will introduce key concepts in sustainability and kick off the conference with an overview of some of the most important challenges and opportunities to consider. Chair: Jason Clarke, Assistant Director of Sustainability, UCL Panellists: Lord Deben, Chairman, Sancroft International Harriet Lamb, CEO, The Green Party of England & Wales Nicola Peel, Solutionist and environmental strategist 📍 Marshgate Main Lecture Theatre | ||||
| 11:30 – 11:45 | MOVE TO NEXT SESSION | ||||
| 11:45 – 12:45 | What would a sustainable economy look like? As the climate and ecological crisis challenges traditional economic models, various schools of thought have emerged around how an economy can become sustainable, and how far structural change needs to go to achieve this. This panel will bring together experts to explore these contrasting visions. The discussion will examine the trade-offs, values, and systemic changes needed to build an economy that supports both human well-being and ecological balance. Chair: Paul Ekins, Professor of Resources and Environment Policy, UCL Panellists: Jaya Sood, Senior Economist, NEF Gerald Arhin, Research Fellow in the Political Economy of Climate Compatible Development, STEaPP, UCL and the Climate Compatible Growth (CCG) program Stuti Rawat, Lecturer in Governance, Business and Sustainability, UCL 📍 Marshgate Main Lecture theatre | The State of Nature: Tackling the Biodiversity Crisis Biodiversity loss poses a profound threat to ecosystems, economies, and societies. This panel will explore the urgent need to protect and restore nature, addressing the drivers of biodiversity decline and the pathways toward a nature-positive future. Leaders in conservation, science, and policy will discuss strategies for preserving habitats, integrating biodiversity into business and finance, and mobilizing global action to reverse ecological degradation. Chair: Alex Pigot, Professor of Biodiversity, UCL Panellists: Cathy Yitong Li, Senior Climate & Energy Policy Manager, Bird Life International Natalie Klepáčová, Advocacy and Engagement Executive, Cool Earth Nigel Doar, Head of Science and Research. Wildlife Trusts 📍 Marshgate Room 511 | Plastic Planet: How do we solve plastic pollution? Plastic pollution is one of the most pressing environmental challenges of our time. This panel will delve into the systemic changes needed to combat plastic waste - from redesigning materials and rethinking consumption to advancing circular economy models and strengthening policy. Join experts in science, industry, and activism as they discuss actionable solutions to reduce our plastic footprint and protect ecosystems worldwide. Chair: Mark Miodownik, Professor of Materials & Society, UCL Panellists: Benjamin Jones, Business Account Manager, WRAP Harry Hazeldean, Senior Research Analyst, Plastics, Ellen MacArthur Foundation 📍Marshgate Room 512 | Sustainability in the sports and entertainment industry Discover how the sports and entertainment sector is reshaping its environmental and social impact. Speakers will explore how major venues, clubs, festivals, and production companies are reducing carbon footprints, engaging fans in climate action, and embedding sustainability into operations and culture. From greener events and supply chains to innovative partnerships and policy shifts, this session will highlight both the challenges and the breakthrough opportunities in one of the world’s most influential industries. Chair: Dan Hall, Communications & Research Manager, Football For Future Panellists: Lauren Keller, Freelance sustainability consultant Phoebe Currie, Founder & Director, EARTHED 📍 Marshgate Room 418 | |
| 12:45 - 13:45 | LUNCH BREAK AND NETWORKING | ||||
| 13:45 - 14:45 | Climate security: navigating the new geopolitics of a warming world As climate change accelerates, its impacts are reshaping global stability, resource distribution, and international cooperation. This panel will examine how a warming world is transforming geopolitics, from shifting energy systems and supply chains to climate‑driven migration, security risks, and new forms of international competition and collaboration. Experts in climate policy, security, and global affairs will explore emerging vulnerabilities as well as opportunities for strategic leadership. The session will highlight how governments, businesses, and institutions can prepare for climate‑related disruptions, strengthen resilience, and contribute to a safer, more stable global future. Chair: Benjamin Shread-Hewitt, Independent researcher and co-creator of the podcast Overshoot: navigating a world beyond 1.5C Panellists: Arthur Snell, Consultant in Geopolitics and International Affairs Emma Whiteacre, Co-Chair, Renewable World 📍 Marshgate Main Lecture Theatre | Tackling water sustainability Water is one of the most critical, and increasingly scarce, resources in the sustainability conversation. This panel will bring together experts to explore challenges in water sustainability and solutions for managing water resources. Chair: Illana Adamson, CEO, Be Better Education & Be Better Sustainability Membership Panellists: Jacob Tompkins, Chief Technology Officer, The Water Retail Company Kathryn Pharr, Founder, Community of Women in Water Eleanor Pendle, Sustainability Consultant, Waterscan 📍 Marshgate Room 511 | Building a circular economy in fashion and retail The fashion and retail sectors shape global culture and consumer behaviour, yet both industries remain significant drivers of waste and resource depletion. This panel will explore how circular economy principles, innovation, and responsible business models can transform fashion and retail into systems that regenerate rather than exhaust resources. Industry specialists will discuss solutions such as large‑scale material recovery, redesigning supply chains for durability and reuse, and adopting transparent, ethical production practices. The session will highlight opportunities for retailers and brands to extend product lifecycles, reduce environmental impact, and build a more resilient, future‑ready circular economy. Chair: Poli Pencheva, Climate Change Mitigation, Adaptation and Circular Economy Fellow, UCL Panellists: Kaela Katz, Founder and Director, FibreLab Natalie Binns, Sustainable Fashion Consultant, Better Fashion Consultancy Frida Lidbom, Sustainable Fashion Writer and Storyteller Michaela Neto, Senior Carbon & Climate Manager, Unite Students 📍 Marshgate Room 612 | Creating more sustainable transport This panel will examine the key challenges in transitioning to sustainable transportation, including infrastructure, policy, and technology barriers. Experts will also highlight emerging opportunities - from electrification and low-carbon fuels to smart mobility solutions - that can transform how we move people and goods in a climate-conscious world. Chair: Helena Titheridge, Professor of Mobility and Sustainable Transport, UCL Panellists: Anna Krajinska, Director, T&E Ross Phillips, Sustainable Transport Project Manager, Cross River Partnership Constant McColl, Group Manager, Strategic Transport and Future Mobilities, London Borough of Hackney Vome Aghoghovbia, Fleet Electrification & Charging Infrastructure Lead, Veolia UK 📍 Marshgate Room 615 | The Future of food Amidst climate change and biodiversity loss, this panel will focus on how we might reshape global food systems to create a more sustainable, equitable, and resilient food future. Chair: Marco Springmann, Professional Research Fellow, UCL Panellists: Sunita Ramani, Senior Campaigner - Destructive Diets, Foodrise Carole Dalin, Associate Professor in Sustainable Food Systems, UCL Matilda Evans, Associate, Agriculture and Food, WBCSD 📍Marshgate Room 512 |
| 14:45 - 15:00 | MOVE TO NEXT SESSION | ||||
| 15:00 - 16:00 | Tech, Start-ups, Entrepreneurship: Innovating for Sustainability Innovation and entrepreneurship are powerful drivers of sustainable transformation. This panel will highlight how startups, innovators, and visionary entrepreneurs are developing breakthrough solutions to address sustainability challenges. Through real-world examples and insights, speakers will share their experience of innovating for sustainability. Chair: Chris Howard, Professor of Materials Physics, UCL Panellists: Alice Chave, Co-Founder, Incador Emma Mee, Head of Membership, Green Angel Ventures 📍 Marshgate Room 612 | Turning the tide: how do we save our oceans? Oceans are vital to life on Earth, yet they face unprecedented threats from pollution, overfishing, and climate change. This panel will explore urgent strategies for protecting marine ecosystems and restoring ocean health. Experts in marine science, policy, and conservation will discuss innovative solutions, from reducing plastic waste to marine protected areas and sustainable fisheries, offering a roadmap for turning the tide and safeguarding our oceans for future generations. Chair: Christina Dixon, Ocean Campaign Leader, Environmental Investigation Agency Panellists: Jazmeen Isa Qureshi, Ecologist and writer Reuben Shipway, Co-Founder and CEO, Naked Clam Ltd Sierra Ison, Senior Consultant, Ocean Resilience, Nature-Based Solutions & Blue Economy, Oxford Policy Management 📍 Marshgate Room 512 | Leveraging finance for sustainability This panel discussion will explore how financial strategies, investments and innovations can drive sustainable development. Chair: Jonathan Barnes, Research Fellow in Climate Change Adaptation, UCL Panellists: Priscilla Negreiros, Associate Director Climate Finance, Climate Policy Initiative Amy Campbell, Climate Disaster Finance Consultant, Red Cross Red Crescent Climate Centre Beata Bienkowska, Senior Climate Finance and Policy Advisor, UN Environment Programme Finance Initiative 📍 Marshgate Main Lecture Theatre | Urban transitions: how cities can lead sustainable transformation? As urban populations continue to grow, cities play a pivotal role in shaping a sustainable future. This panel will explore how urban centers can lead on climate action, smart infrastructure, and equitable development. Experts will share insights on building resilient, low-carbon, and inclusive cities that prioritise both people and the planet. Chair: Blanche Cameron, Associate Professor of Environmental Design, The Bartlett, UCL Panellists: Jo Mortensen, Associate Director, Bioregional Metadel Mengestu, City Support Orchestrator, Dark Matter Labs Manu Sasidharan, Assistant Professor, UCL Hannah Jameson, Programme Director, London Councils 📍Marshgate Room 511 | |
| 16:00- 16:15 | MOVE TO NEXT SESSION | ||||
| 16:15 - 17:30 | The politics of sustainability How do we influence policymakers to adopt sustainable policies? This panel discussion will focus on the process of campaigning and policy influencing in order to get policymakers to take action on sustainability. Chair: Liam Kavanagh, Director, Climate Majority Project Panellists: Ellen Gibson, Head of Electoral and Organising, Green New Deal Rising Abdi Suleiman, Political Affairs Manager, Friends of the Earth Robin McGhee, Public Affairs Adviser, WWF UK and chair of Climate Emergency UK David Powell, Head of Programmes & Development, Local Storytelling Exchange 📍 Marshgate Main Lecture Theatre | Explainers, Translators, Storytellers: How journalists cover climate solutions Speaker: Maeve Campbell, Journalist 📍 Marshgate Room 512 | AI, Big Tech, and the environment Is it possible for AI the ethical? What impacts has big tech had on the environment? Can we leverage AI for the environment? In this session we will explore the history of AI development, the relationship between big tech and the environment, engage in key debates and develop frameworks for ethical AI development and use Speaker: Josephine Ewoma, Researcher, Post Growth Institute 📍 Marshgate Room 418 | |
Day 2 - Wednesday 22 April
Taking the Lead
Select one session from each time slot.
| time | SESSION One | SESSION two | SESSION three | SESSION FOUR | Session five |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 09:00 - 10:00 | REGISTRATION AND OPENING REMARKS 📍 Marshgate | ||||
| 10:00 - 11:00 | Sustainable business in practice: strategies, challenges, and opportunities As organisations face rising expectations from consumers, regulators, and investors, sustainability is shifting from a peripheral ambition to a core driver of business strategy. This panel will explore how companies across sectors are embedding sustainability into day‑to‑day operations, moving from commitment to meaningful action. Speakers will discuss what they believe a 'sustainable business' to really mean, and practical approaches such as integrating climate goals into decision‑making, redesigning products and services for reduced impact, and building resilient, ethical supply chains. The conversation will also examine the challenges businesses encounter, from financing the transition to navigating complex reporting requirements, while highlighting the opportunities for innovation, competitiveness, and long‑term value creation. Chair: Illana Adamson, CEO, Be Better Education & Be Better Sustainability Membership Panellists: Izzy Howden, Senior Campaigner, Changing Markets, Changing Markets Foundation Lucy Ronan, Co-founder, Groundswell Sustainability Claire Brady, Global Sustainability Manager, Savills Michaela Neto, Senior Carbon & Climate Manager, Unite Students 📍 Marshgate Main Lecture Theatre | Environmental justice and intersectionality This panel explores how environmental challenges and climate change intersect with social inequalities related to race, gender, class, disability, and global location. Bringing together researchers, practitioners, and community leaders, the discussion will examine how environmental harms and benefits are distributed unevenly, and why an intersectional lens is essential for developing fair and effective sustainability solutions. Panellists will share insights from policy, activism, and lived experience, highlighting case studies from local and global contexts. The session will also consider how universities, institutions, and future leaders can embed environmental justice principles into decision‑making, research, and leadership practice. Designed to be interactive and reflective, this panel invites participants to think critically about power, accountability, and solidarity in the transition to a more just and sustainable world. Panellists: Emma River-Roberts, Founder & Co-Director, Working Class Climate Alliance Maimoni Ubrei-Joe, Founding member & Director of Climate and Energy Justice, Environmental Defenders Network (EDEN) Nnenna Belia Onwuka, Communications Coordinator, WEN (Women's Environment Network) 📍 Marshgate Room 612 | How to talk to people you don’t agree with Speaker: Issey Gladstone, Climate Communications Consultant, Sexy Climate Change 📍 Marshgate Room 612 | ||
| 11:00 – 11:15 | MOVE TO NEXT SESSION | ||||
| 11:15 – 12:45 | Climate Communication 101 Climate Comms 101 is a practical and inspiring The session focuses on building the communication skills needed to engage people meaningfully on climate change and sustainability. Drawing on over 20 years of social science research and real‑world experience, the workshop explores why climate change can feel difficult to talk about and how powerful communication can build trust, hope, and momentum for action. Participants will be introduced to the social science behind how different audiences understand climate change, helping them recognise why people hold diverse and sometimes conflicting climate stories. Through hands‑on activities and real‑world examples, the session will develop practical skills in climate storytelling, framing, and messaging that connect with values and emotions rather than facts alone. PLEASE NOTE: This session will be repeated at 13:45. Do not attend both. Speaker: Hayden Banks, Advocacy Manager, Climate Outreach 📍 Marshgate Main Lecture theatre | SU Sustainability Council: Banking Task Force workshop Panellists: Aaiza Ahsan, UCL student Alan Salazar, UCL student Ben Guillad, UCL student Amias Porin, UCL student 📍 Marshgate Room 418 | Imagining the Future Together Speaker: Theo Silbertson, Founder, Shared Horizon 📍Marshgate Room 512 | ||
| 12:45 - 13:45 | LUNCH BREAK AND NETWORKING | ||||
| 13:45 - 15:15 | There is no climate movement without a democracy movement An exercise exploring what happens when you stop treating climate and politics as separate conversations and start using culture to bridge them. Speaker: Sam Narr, Founder and CEO at Kibbo Kift Agency and Founder and Creative Director at Democracia84 CIC 📍 Marshgate Main Lecture Theatre | Climate Communication 101 Climate Comms 101 is a practical and inspiring The session focuses on building the communication skills needed to engage people meaningfully on climate change and sustainability. Drawing on over 20 years of social science research and real‑world experience, the workshop explores why climate change can feel difficult to talk about and how powerful communication can build trust, hope, and momentum for action. Participants will be introduced to the social science behind how different audiences understand climate change, helping them recognise why people hold diverse and sometimes conflicting climate stories. Through hands‑on activities and real‑world examples, the session will develop practical skills in climate storytelling, framing, and messaging that connect with values and emotions rather than facts alone. PLEASE NOTE: This session is a repeat of the session at 11:15. Do not attend both. Panellists: Fahmida Miah, Programme Manager, Climate Outreach Emma Peet, Content and Communications Manager, Climate Outreach 📍 Marshgate Room 612 | Climate Action Studio: Test, Debate, and Shape the Future Speaker: Rose Kobusinge, Founder and Director, The Vital Crest Foundation 📍 Marshgate Room 418 | Design Thinking for Sustainable Food at UCL: a Hands-On Workshop Speaker: Alina Congreve, Lecturer, UCL Grand Challenges 📍 Marshgate Room 512 | |
| 15:15 - 15:30 | MOVE TO NEXT SESSION | ||||
| 15:30 - 16:30 | From protest to policy: How to make environmental change happen Greenpeace has been at the forefront of environmental campaigning across the world for decades, and relies on an insider-outsider approach to win change. From direct action to high-level negotiations, this talk will explore how to influence governments, what makes political campaigning effective, and how we can campaign together to win change on climate and nature Speaker: Reshima Sharma, Deputy Head of Politics, Greenpeace 📍 Marshgate Main Lecture Theatre | Exploring quieter approaches to leadership through zine-making Speaker: Alexis Stones, Senior Teaching Fellow, IOE, UCL 📍 Marshgate Room 418 | Sports and Sustainability: Mapping a football club's environmental boundary Have you ever wondered how sport and sustainability come together? Do you want to gain skills as a sustainability consultant? This 60-minute session is a hands-on workshop where you will map the environmental boundary of West Ham United FC - one of the UK's largest sports clubs, operating right next door to the UCL East Campus. Working in teams, you’ll explore what the organisation directly controls, what it owns financially, and where it can drive positive environmental impact. By the end, you’ll understand Scopes 1, 2 and 3 carbon emissions, create a full environmental boundary to inform a carbon inventory, and have an added opportunity to pitch a fan engagement campaign for World Earth Day. No prior sustainability knowledge is needed, just strategic thinking and creativity. Speaker: Lauren Keller, Freelance sustainability consultant 📍 Marshgate Room 443 | ||
| 16:30- 16:45 | MOVE TO NEXT SESSION | ||||
| 16:45 - 17:45 | Taking the lead now: how young people can change the world The future of sustainability lies in the hands of the next generation of leaders, and the future starts now. This panel will explore how young people are shaping the sustainability movement and how UCL students can use their experiences from this conference to begin engaging in sustainability leadership. Panellists: Félix Feider, Programme Manager, Synchronicity Earth Saima Rasool, Co-Chair, Emerging Leaders Programme, Anthropy UK Emma Greenwood, Student, UCL 📍 Marshgate Main Lecture Theatre | Feminist climate justice Speaker: Nnenna Belia Onwuka, Feminist Climate Justice Policy Campaigner, WEN (Women's Environment Network) 📍 Marshgate Room 512 | The next steps for sustainability leadership at UCL This workshop will challenge students to think critically and deeply about what tangible changes are needed to combat the climate crisis and how students themselves are key to formulating a strategy for systemic change. Panellists: Oskar Baltrop, SU Sustainability Officer Valentina Butenko, UCL student 📍 Marshgate Room 612 | | |
| 18:00 onwards | DRINKS RECEPTION |
Speakers
Nicola Peel
| Solutionist and environmental strategist | Nicola Peel is an Inspirational Speaker, an award-winning Environmentalist, a Solutionist, a Rewilder and a Consultant. She speaks passionately about the lessons she has learned from over 20 years working in the Ecuadorian Amazon and her deep connection to the natural world. Combining inspiring stories and practical solutions, Nicola provides a vision of another future and what we need to do. Spending 6 months in an isolated Amazonian lagoon filming the pink river dolphins, she then travelled from the headwaters in Ecuador down the Amazon River to Brazil documenting her findings to produce the documentary, Blood of the Amazon. Since then, Nicola has initiated numerous social and environmental projects in the Amazon and around the world. In England she was the inspiration behind the South East Climate Alliance ( a coalition of over 120 organisations taking climate and ecological action ). She has rewilded 10 acres of land and opened The Willows Lakeside Retreat for people to learn about conservation and looking for an eco retreat. As a public speaker she continues to inspire others about what we can do, how we can learn from Nature’s intelligence and how taking action not only makes a difference but is great for your mental health. Nicola’s talks are entitled ‘Biomimicry – Nature as Teacher and Inventor‘, ‘A Solutionists Work’, ‘This is What Biodiversity Looks Like’, ‘The Nature of Business’ and ‘How Can One Person Make a Difference?’ Nicola’s talks give a glimpse into some of the practical, down to earth projects she has initiated including the use of fungi to remediate oil spills, building rainwater systems for those drinking contaminated water and a fascinating way to clean up a village’s rubbish. She initiated and continues to teach and manage an extraordinary method of agroforestry to prevent deforestation in tropical areas with Rainforest Saver When Covid hit and Nicola was locked down for over 5 months in one of the most biodiverse places on Earth, The Los Cedros Reserve in Ecuador, she dedicated a year to the precedent-setting Rights of Nature legal campaign to protect it. Speaking at the Constitutional Court of Ecuador and coordinating a team of economists, she spoke about the valuation of the forest using today’s carbon market, showing it was worth more alive than the mining concessions. |
Frida Nakarma Lidbom
| Sustainable Fashion Writer and Storyteller | Frida Nakarma Lidbom is a sustainability professional, writer, and storyteller working at the intersection of circular fashion and environmental justice. Alongside her work in secondhand retail, she explores how garments can be revalued through reuse, storytelling, and systems thinking. Her work focuses on the social and environmental dimensions of fashion, with a particular interest in post-sale practices and circularity. |
Theo Silberston
| Founder, Shared Horizon | Theo Silberston is the founder of Shared Horizon, a CIC broadening what people think possible. His work sits at the intersection of strategic foresight and public policy, supporting people to envision positive, just futures that respect planetary limits - and to make those futures feel not just necessary, but alive. Tangible. Already present in the world around us. Alongside Shared Horizon, Theo works with the UN Environment Programme and SAMI Consulting. |
Harriet Lamb
| CEO, The Green Party of England & Wales | Harriet Lamb is a British environmental leader and executive known for her work in sustainability and climate advocacy. She spent fifteen years building the Fairtrade movement in the UK and internationally and has led WRAP and Ashden. Currently, as CEO of the Green Party, she champions linking climate justice with social justice, highlighting the need to tackle environmental and economic inequality together. |
Phoebe Currie
| Founder & Director, EARTHED | Phoebe is the founder of a sustainability consultancy (EARTHED) supporting the entertainment industry towards a more resilient and sustainable future, with a core focus on helping supply chain companies to drive meaningful and measurable change. A registered environmental professional (REnvP) and Practitioner Member of the Institute of Sustainability and Environmental Professionals (PISEP), she also holds an MSc in Environmental Sustainability. Phoebe brings experience from both in house and consultancy roles, having led the development of an award-winning sustainability strategy for a technical production company and supported delivery on major international events including the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games. She has also worked within a sustainability consultancy, creating and implementing strategies and reporting on impacts for events such as Radio 1’s Big Weekend and The Earthshot Prize. Passionate about embedding sustainability at every level of the sector, Phoebe is the specialist consultant to the Professional Light and Sound Association (PLASA) and leads their sustainability initiatives, including an industry-wide effort to standardise Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) reporting frameworks. She believes transforming the supply chain is key to enabling the industry’s transition to a more resilient future. |
Vome Aghoghovbia Gafaar
| Fleet Electrification & Charging Infrastructure Lead, Veolia UK | Vome Aghoghovbia Gafaar is a global energy leader with experience across Europe and Africa, specialising in sustainable transport, electric mobility, and integrated energy systems. She leads Fleet Electrification & Charging Infrastructure Operations at Veolia UK, overseeing the transition of municipal waste and heavy-duty fleets to electric vehicles across the UK. Her work focuses on turning sustainable city targets into practical, scalable solutions. She leads large-scale EV infrastructure programmes, oversees the electrification of different vehicles, including complex heavy-duty fleets, and transforms depot operations to support electric mobility. Her work also explores the integration of energy and transport systems, including using energy generated from waste to power electric fleets and contributing to vehicle-to-grid innovation. Vome brings a unique combination of strategy and delivery experience. She has advised governments, companies, and transport operators on sustainable transport and energy transitions, including developing EV strategies, infrastructure deployment plans, and long-term decarbonisation roadmaps. Her previous work spans organisations such as Hitachi ZeroCarbon and Mitie, where she worked on projects ranging from electric bus deployment and smart depot design to national energy policy engagement. She is also the founder of Ignite Energy Africa, a platform focused on advancing energy knowledge, policy, and investment across Sub-Saharan Africa. Through this work, she has published thought leadership in outlets including the Financial Times and Business Insider. She studied at University College London (UCL), completing a first-class MEng degree in Chemical Engineering and an MSc in Global Management of Natural Resources. She is passionate about using sustainable transport to improve living standards, enable economic growth, and build resilient, flexible and sustainable cities. |
Dr. Maimoni Mariere Ubrei-Joe
| Founding member & Director of Climate and Energy Justice, Environmental Defenders Network (EDEN) | Dr. Maimoni Mariere Ubrei-Joe is a dedicated climate justice advocate whose work spans Nigeria and the wider African region. He currently serves as the Director of Campaigns and Administration at the Community Development Advocacy Foundation (CODAF) and is a founding member of the Environmental Defenders Network (EDEN), where he leads climate and energy justice campaigns. With over a decade of experience at Environmental Rights Action/Friends of the Earth Nigeria (ERA/FoEN), Ubrei-Joe began his journey as a volunteer and rose through the ranks to become a full-time staff member. Prior to his resignation in April 2024, he held several key leadership roles, including Administrative Manager of ERA/FoEN and Coordinator of the Climate Justice and Energy Programme for Friends of the Earth Africa, where he led strategic initiatives on decarbonisation and climate justice across the continent. Between July 2021 and June 2022, he coordinated the Africa Climate Justice Collectives (ACJC), playing a pivotal role in strengthening collaboration and uniting climate justice movements across Africa. He has also provided leadership in youth and community organising as the former National Coordinator of the Students Environmental Assembly, Nigeria (SEAN), an initiative focused on mentoring and training young environmental activists. Ubrei-Joe currently serves on several strategic platforms, including as a Global Advisory Hub member of the Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives (GAIA), and chairs key national structures such as the Isoko Environment Monitoring Committee (IEMC). He has been instrumental in advancing major climate justice campaigns across Africa. Through his work with Friends of the Earth Africa and allied civil society organisations, he contributed to high-impact initiatives including the Don’t Gas Africa campaign, Don’t Geo-Engineer Africa, and the Africa Movement of Movements. In 2021, he played a key role in developing the Just Recovery Renewable Energy Plan for Africa, advocating for a transition to 100% renewable energy by 2050. In 2022, he co-authored the influential publication Don’t Let Africa Burn, which challenges gas expansion and promotes sustainable energy alternatives across the continent. Ubrei-Joe holds a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Environmental Quality Management from the University of Petroleum Resources, Effurun, Nigeria. |
Emma Greenwood
| Student, UCL | I’m Emma Greenwood, a youth voice and climate champion with a particular focus on the power of intergenerational collaboration. Over the past six years, I’ve supported key campaigns such as Votes at 16 and the UK government’s move towards becoming carbon neutral. Alongside this work, I’ve been fortunate to have my contributions recognised through awards, including Northern Gamechanger and Significant Contribution to Conservation Education. I’ve also had the opportunity to speak in the House of Commons and at events such as COP26 on the importance of taking meaningful action on climate and involving young people in decision-making. I started out as the Young Member of Parliament for Bury from 2019–2022, before going on to work as a youth advisor for organisations including the Co-op, Lancashire Wildlife Trust and Chester Zoo. More recently, I’ve been studying for a degree in Global Humanitarian Studies at UCL, while continuing to work with a number of organisations to engage young people and push for climate action. |
Emma Whiteacre
| Co-Chair, Renewable World | Emma Whiteacre is an independent consultant and experienced analyst, combining a long-standing focus on political and economic risk in emerging markets with deep expertise in sustainability and climate change. She has spent her career working across financial services to provide clarity in support of insurance and investment decisions. In her most recent corporate role as Director, Sovereigns & Insurance at Verisk Maplecroft, she supported clients in embedding data into portfolio management processes and delivering insights on how sustainability and political risk themes influence investments. She holds the CFA UK Certificate in Climate and Investing. She is also co-Chair of the Board of Renewable World, a charity dedicated to delivering clean energy and sanitation in rural communities while tackling the causes and impacts of climate change. Her previous roles include Senior ESG Analyst at BlueBay Asset Management, where she worked closely with portfolio managers on ESG integration, regulatory compliance, and engagement with sovereign and corporate investees. Prior to that, she was a country risk analyst at Beazley within the Political Risks team, advising on transaction-specific and overall systemic exposure to macroeconomic and political risks across all markets. She has served on the Steering Committee of the London Intelligence Forum and as Chair of Beazley’s Responsible Business Committee, overseeing environmental, charity, community, and marketplace initiatives. Other roles have included researcher/analyst positions at the Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership, (where she also earned a Certificate in Business Sustainability Leadership), the Royal Bank of Scotland, Business Monitor International and in the European Parliament, World Bank and UN Environment Programme. |
Kathryn Pharr
| Founder, Community of Women in Water | Having worked over a decade on science and water policy, Kathryn Pharr has expertise in water challenges relating to climate change, gender, transboundary, urban resilience, IWRM, governance, finance, and WASH. In 2019, she founded and continues to lead the Community of Women in Water (CWiW) to connect women working on water-related challenges, expanding their networks and knowledge. Additionally, she consults on water challenges such as gender and intersectionality and linking WASH with food security and nature-based solutions. She has a Masters in Chemistry and is a Project Management Professional (PMP). Kathryn has worked with the Alliance for Global Water Adaptation (AGWA), Arup, the Global Water Forum, the U.S. Department of State, USAID, the University of Oxford, and WaterAid. |
Lucy Ronan
| Co-founder, Groundswell Sustainability | Lucy is the Co-founder of Groundswell Sustainability, a spin-out of Octopus Group, that supports asset managers and their portfolio companies with their approach to sustainability. |
Claire Brady
| Global Sustainability Manager, Savills Director, Centre for Net Zero Market Design, UCL |
Mete Coban MBE
Mete Coban MBE became the Deputy Mayor of London for Environment and Energy in July 2024, overseeing the Mayor’s world-leading climate action plan for the capital.
Before becoming Deputy Mayor, Mete was a Councillor and Cabinet Member for Climate Change, Environment, and Transport in the London Borough of Hackney, delivering a £61 million Green New Deal to tackle the climate crisis. He is best known for pioneering Hackney’s Community Energy Fund, providing clean, green, community-owned energy to 39 not-for-profits.
Mete is widely credited with making politics more accessible to young people as the Founder of the youth-led charity My Life My Say. He led the Give an X voter registration campaign, which resulted in over 488,000 newly registered voters ahead of the UK General Election in July 2024.
In the New Year's 2020 Honours List, Mete received an MBE for services to young people, recognising his efforts to make politics and democracy more accessible to the younger generation. Mete also serves as a Trustee at the London Marathon Foundation and My Life My Say.
Blanche Cameron
| Associate Professor, UCL | Blanche Cameron is Associate Professor of Environmental Design at The Bartlett School of Architecture, UCL. Blanche studied Architecture in Glasgow and Paris, then worked as an ecological builder and designer, before teaching sustainable architecture and cities since 2001, at CAT's Graduate School of the Environment, then UCL. She has co-founded and organised UK and European conferences and events, including the European Urban Green Infrastructure Conference series. She is a co-lead on the AHRC-funded research project ‘Retrofitting for the Future: Nature-based Solutions to Climate Adaptation’, led by Swansea University with Trinity St David’s and UCL, and is co-creating the University of London's Living Lab in Bloomsbury with students, staff and local communities. |