Carbon Conversations

Michael is the Head of Sustainability and Social Impact (APAC) for Burson. Working across all sectors, he combines a science-based technical approach with strategic development and creativity to drive tangible sustainability outcomes for Burson clients.Michael has 11+ years in the environmental sustainability sector, working with listed and non-listed companies across a range of sectors, including energy, health, manufacturing, commercial offices, financial and professional services and technology to help measure, reduce and report on their environmental and social impact, with the ultimate goal of helping companies shift toward a regenerative future and meeting increasingly demanding regulatory and voluntary disclosure frameworks.Michael holds a Bachelor in Environment Science from Australian Catholic University, that was specifically focused on the understanding the science of ecological impacts on water quality, aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems through human activities and the appropriate management regimes to address those impacts.Michael also holds a post-Graduate Diploma Degree in Science Communication from Australian National University, where he worked with Australia's national science agency –the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) driving communication programs.Michael is a registered B Consultant helping companies achieve their BCorp Certification – demonstrating a company is a ‘force of good.Michael is a registered consultant under the IFRS Sustainability Consultant Content Programme. As a result, clients benefit from timely, expert-informed guidance aligned with the latest IFRS and ISSB sustainability standards, helping them stay ahead in ESG reporting and decision-making.Michael also holds certifications in ‘Valuing nature and people to inform business decision-making’ administered by the Capitals Coalition and ‘Circular Economy – Sustainable Materials Management’ administered by Lund University.Michael is registered Climate Active consultant and can help companies achieve certified carbon neutrality under the Australian Federal Government’s carbon neutral standard – Climate Active. However, as this certification is built off international standards, Michael can take this experience and apply it at a global scale.

Alain Mahieu is a sustainability and energy transition leader within Singtel’s AI infrastructure division, where he supports the development of AI-ready, sustainable, low-carbon data centres across the Asia-Pacific region. His work covers the full sustainability agenda for digital infrastructure, including green energy integration, power resilience, carbon management, and resource efficiency across energy, water, and materials, with initiatives including the Singapore–Johor Special Economic Zone (SEZ). In parallel, Alain actively contributes to the Greenhouse Gas Protocol (GHGP), the world’s leading global standard for corporate greenhouse gas accounting, supporting the development and application of methodologies used by companies, investors, and regulators worldwide. His work focuses on the Scope 2 Technical Working Group, shaping guidance on electricity-related emissions that is particularly critical for data centres and other energy-intensive industries. Previously, Alain worked at ENGIE, supporting large energy users and infrastructure operators on sustainability-driven decarbonisation, renewable energy sourcing, and long-term energy transition strategies.

Laura Besley is a senior sustainability leader with more than 16 years of experience shaping and delivering sustainability strategies across sectors, including manufacturing, finance, telecommunications, real estate, and food and beverage. She has led high-impact programs spanning climate reporting, modern slavery, and community engagement, supported by deep technical expertise in frameworks such as NGERS, DJSI, ISSB/ASSB, GRI, and UNPRI. Known for her pragmatic and values-driven approach, Laura has built a reputation for helping organisations navigate complex sustainability challenges while achieving measurable, meaningful outcomes.

Simon comes from a project development background and is a respected technical expert with 15+ years of experience in developing and implementing CDR standards and methodologies. He has led and participated in teams to develop Verra's VM0044 Biochar methodology, both Isometric and Puro's Enhanced Rock Weathering methodologies and now new standards for both BECCS and DACCS, commissioned by the UK government.  Simon is now Director of CDR for Sylvera, where he leads their team delivering data, assessments and insights to key stakeholders in the voluntary carbon market. 

Dr. David Hughes serves as the Dorothy Foehr Huck and J. Lloyd Huck Chair in Global Food Security at Penn State University, where he also holds professorships in entomology and biology. As the founder of PlantVillage, a Penn State initiative, Dr. Hughes leads efforts to enhance global food security by integrating artificial intelligence, mobile technology, and community networks. PlantVillage empowers smallholder farmers across Africa, Asia, and the Americas to combat pests and adapt to climate change by leveraging AI-driven tools and youth-led ground networks.Building upon this mission, Dr. Hughes established PlantVillage+, a private enterprise partially owned by Penn State. This venture aims to alleviate poverty and address climate change by offering paid services to farmers, corporations, and governments, while continuing to support public AI research. Notably, PlantVillage+ allocates 30% of its profits to workers and farmers, 10% to its charitable arm—the Village Youth Fund—and 5% to assist governments in accessing advanced technologies and AI solutions.Dr. Hughes also directs the USAID Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Current and Emerging Threats to Crops, focusing on developing scalable solutions for agricultural challenges. His pioneering research on parasite-host interactions, including the renowned "zombie ant" studies, has garnered international acclaim and media attention.For those interested in exploring themes related to science, innovation, and socio-economic systems, Dr. Hughes recommends the following readings:Letters to a Young Scientist by Edward O. Wilson: https://www.amazon.com/Letters-Young-Scientist-Edward-Wilson/dp/0871403773The Big Con by Mariana Mazzucato:  https://marianamazzucato.com/books/the-big-con/Vulture Capitalism by Grace Blakeley:  https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Vulture-Capitalism/Grace-Blakeley/9781982180867

Paul Gambill is a pioneering entrepreneur in the carbon removal space, best known as the co-founder and former CEO of Nori, where he raised over $18 million to build one of the first carbon removal marketplaces. Under his leadership, Nori facilitated the removal of over 260,000 tonnes of CO₂ and established partnerships with major players like Bayer Crop Science.Today, Paul leads CarbonRemoval.com, a platform dedicated to reimagining carbon markets for true atmospheric impact. Through his writing on Inevitable & Obvious, he challenges prevailing market structures and advocates for scalable, resilient solutions to the climate crisis. With a systems-level perspective and hands-on experience, Paul continues to shape the future of carbon removal.

Mats Larsson is the founder of Global Energy Transformation Institute. He has over 30 years’ experience as a business and management consultant, developing business strategies for companies in many different industries. He has worked with the large-scale transformation to electromobility and sustainability since 2004, leading a sequence of projects. This work has resulted in five internationally published books, starting with Global Energy Transformation, published in 2009, then The Business of Global Energy Transformation 2012, Circular Business Models 2018, Redrawing the Map of the Future 2019, and The Blind Guardians of Ignorance 2020.In Global Energy Transformation 2009 Mats launched the idea that the large-scale change to electromobility and a sustainable society will require large-scale transformation programmes. He has since then elaborated on this idea and developed strategies for various aspects of the transformations, such as the expansion of vehicle fleets and charging infrastructure, power generation and distribution, the development of training programmes for the groups of professionals that need to become involved in the change, and development of the companies and business models that will be needed. Over the years, he has supported hundreds of companies in a large number of industries with business development and growth strategies.Mats lives in southern Sweden with his wife.Book links:https://www.amazon.co.uk/Severe-Economic-Consequences-Electric-Vehicles-ebook/dp/B0CTX6KRBN/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?https://www.amazon.co.uk/Building-Future-Really-Works-Electromobility-What-ebook/dp/B0CFN41YBK/ref=sr_1_1?https://www.amazon.co.uk/Building-Future-Really-Works-Electromobility-What-ebook/dp/B0CFN41YBK/ref=sr_1_1?

Industrial Engineer and Political Scientist, Fulbright scholar for a master’s degree in Sustainable Development at the University of Maryland. More than 20 years of experience as a consultant and technical advisor in sustainability projects in the private sector. More than 3 years of wide-ranging expertise and work experience in the Colombian Ministry of Environment, designing and implementing public policies for the protection of ecosystems and the competitiveness of productive sectors, representing and advising the minister in boards, committees, and other multi stakeholder exchange forums.Key developer and designer of the Colombian National Circular Economy Strategy, and climate action instruments. Former delegate and board member in the OECD’s Environmental Policy CommitteeAs CEO of Cercarbono, he is in charge of strengthening and positioning the standard globally.Email:alexsaer@cercarbono.com

Pawel is a tech entrepreneur with a past experience in healthcare, fintech and e-commerce. Currently in climate tech, Pawel started WasteX in mid-2022 to tackle the climate crisis by developing biochar solutions for carbon removal and agricultural benefits. He lives in Indonesia, where most of the WasteX operations are based.Company website: https://www.wastex.io/Pawel's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pawelkuznicki/

Dr. Annalisa Bracco is a professor and Associate Chair for Research in the School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences at the Georgia Institute of Technology. She is interested in using computation tools to better understand how our oceans work and the interactions between physics and biology across marine ecosystems. Her research group uses models, artificial intelligence and observations to study ocean transport, biogeochemical interactions, climate dynamics and carbon cycling in the climate system.  Most recently she has been researching how coral reefs may exchange larvae, plastic pollution in the Gulf of Mexico, ocean mixing near seamounts and marine carbon dioxide removal through Sargassum algae and alkalinity enhancement. Contact: https://research.gatech.edu/people/annalisa-bracco

In this episode, I sit down with Thea and Stefan, the visionary founders of Proon-Tech, a startup revolutionising biodiversity conservation and reforestation through AI-driven innovation. We explore their journey in creating cutting-edge technologies that tackle the global biodiversity crisis, the challenges of scaling green tech solutions, and the real-world impact of their projects. Tune in to hear their inspiring story, success stories from the field, and what’s next for Proon-Tech in their mission to protect our planet. https://www.proon-tech.com/

Dominic Hafner is a leader at Carbon Standards International, where he spearheads the Global Artisan C-Sink Standard. This initiative aims to transform the role of smallholder farmers within the global climate narrative by merging carbon financing with sustainable biochar practices. Under his guidance, the program not only achieves significant environmental milestones but also fosters long-term economic empowerment for communities in the global south. Dominic's efforts are central to integrating innovative carbon removal technologies with grassroots agricultural practices, making a substantial impact on both local and global scales. For more information or to contact Dominic go to THIS LINK.

Currently serving as Senior Program Manager at Brainforest, Camille Accolas is dedicated to bridging the gap between founders, experts, and funders through the Brainforest Venture Program. She brings extensive experience in consulting, project management, and sustainability across both public and private sectors. Camille is skilled in biodiversity impact evaluation, sustainability reporting, and developing corporate strategies. She holds a Master's degree in Globalisation, Business, and Development from the Institute of Development Studies (IDS) at the University of Sussex. Links: Brainforest Venture Program: https://brainforest.global/venture-program Brainforest Newsletter: https://brainforest.global/newsletter Fundraising accelerators (with focus on female founders): https://www.helenawasserman.com/unstoppable; https://www.consideredcapital.io/ Other biodiversity accelerators: https://www.tech4regeneration.ch/; https://www.biodiversity-accelerator.com/; https://accelerator.norrsken.org/

Wangari Kuria is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Farmer on Fire Global Consultancy seeking to eliminate hunger and improve safe food production.  An Agripreneur with a rich background as a farmer, aggregator, and an expert on the value-chain. She is renowned as one of the pioneers of making agriculture appealing by creating captivating videos on farming and challenging many online to engage and act. She is at the frontline in partnership with global partners with a focus on small scale farmers to reduce barriers for youth and women entry into the agribusiness. Website: www.farmeronfire.com Email- Farmeronfire1@gmail.com Phone- +254720448250/ +254721444655 Facebook: FB Page WIAS 2024 event - Event Page

Erin Grover advises on emerging technologies for the verification of climate impact, food security, and regenerative supply chain transparency. This includes the application of blockchain, AI, and IoT innovation. She is a strong advocate for using these technologies to improve the lives of smallholder farmers in the Global South. Her drive comes from her time living with a farming community in the mountains of Nepal in her early 20s. This is where she learned to speak Nepali and learned how to live from the heart. She has extensively researched emerging DeFi markets in Kenya, Uganda, and India. She is a part of the World Economic Forum's Crypto Sustainability Coalition as a member of the blockchain and carbon working group and has been a featured speaker at the annual meetings of the World Bank, Barclays, and COP28. Before her work in agritech, she served for the United Nations, USAID, and other international NGOs in Afghanistan, Timor-Leste, Nepal, and Cambodia for over a decade. Additionally, she has contributed as a journalist to CoinTelegraph, IndieWire, and is currently a featured writer for AGBI.COM (Arabian Gulf Business Insight). Her previous work has been featured in The New York Times, The Washington Post, Time Magazine, Gizmodo, TechCrunch, Mashable, The Times of India, and many other international news sources. https://www.linkedin.com/in/eringrover/

Dora is responsible for the long-term development and sustainability of Marquis Energy Global, establishing valuable connections with potential markets worldwide. She developed a passion for energy solutions during her 13-year career in the petroleum industry, involved in major capital upstream projects across the globe.  Prior to this, she sailed the seas as an officer in the U.S. Navy.   She is a graduate from the U.S. Naval Academy studying Mechanical Engineering, providing a technical foundation to her journey to sustainability.    Now, Dora is a mother of two humans and two dogs and enjoys staying active through running and triathlons. You can connect with Dora on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/doraexplore/ For more on Marquis: https://marquisinc.com

Dries Roobroeck's journey in applied biosciences began with a neighbourhood clean-up he organized as a 10-year-old and deepened when he observed his great uncle's selfless work with rural communities in India at the age of 15. He pursued biological sciences at university, fascinated by the broad range of topics, particularly how nature works. His PhD focused on the cycling of carbon and nitrogen between soil, plants, and the atmosphere in Poland's undisturbed peatlands, giving him profound insights into biogeochemical processes, greenhouse gas emissions, and laboratory and data analytics. After completing his PhD, Dries had the privilege of conducting a postdoctoral study with the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, researching the occurrence and causes of non-responsiveness of crops to synthetic fertilizers in Kenya, Tanzania, DRC, and Nigeria. This work highlighted the pervasive issues of nutrient input inefficiency and soil fertility degradation that trap many small-scale farmers in poverty. Concurrently, he became increasingly involved in research on biochar agronomy and pyrolytic technology, including long-term experimentation, participatory evaluation, upscaled assessment, and system engineering. Seeing an opportunity for science to solve many of today's complex problems, Dries, along with Aarti Shah, started Co-REGEN to advise agribusinesses on becoming circular and regenerative. They coach these businesses on adopting more reliable power, low carbon heat, and nature-based solutions to improve farming and processing, aiming to enhance their movement up the agricultural value chain while mitigating greenhouse gas emissions. Since late 2022, Dries has been working with PennState University's program PlantVillage, where he has had the opportunity to translate scientific research and ideas into practical applications. Further viewing/reading: Video of PlantVillage https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=huqLMHRNIVA Video from feasibility in tea sector https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bcq_Gf1ES_0 LinkedIN www.linkedin.com/in/driesroobroeck   Contact: Email d.roobroeck@cgiar.org  

Jason Dodier is an American international business professional and Co-Founder of the GRAIN Ecosystem, aiming to revolutionize global project development through digitization, transparency, and increased access to capital. His mission focuses on empowering project developers worldwide to meet ambitious waste-to-value, carbon sequestration, and biodiversity goals set by the global climate agenda. Based in New York City, Jason played a key role in advancing Energy as a Service microgrids in the US, notably contributing to the JFK New Terminal One Microgrid. This project, soon to be the largest rooftop terminal solar array in the US, showcases his dedication to digital transformation and sustainability. With a career spanning the US, Middle East, and Europe, Jason's experience in operations, business development, marketing, and sales management at Schneider Electric has refined his expertise. Currently, Jason serves as a sustainability ambassador, advocating for the integration of IT and educational reform. He delivers impactful speeches and builds connections with industry leaders. Beyond his professional endeavors, Jason co-founded Fountainhead Rhode Island, a notable non-profit known for transformative initiatives in the New England region. His roles in sustainable energy solutions and non-profit leadership underscore his commitment to a more sustainable future. Jason holds an MBA from Georgetown University and a bachelor's degree from Bryant University. https://twitter.com/J_Dodier https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasondodier/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/grain-ecosystem

Trina Montemayor is a dedicated professional with over 20 years of experience in the corporate food service industry. She has been an integral part of the success of Order Corner, a web-based company specializing in food ordering for corporate and professional groups of 10 or more. Throughout her tenure at Order Corner, Trina has worked tirelessly to build and manage a team of exceptional individuals. She has fostered a positive and collaborative work environment, ensuring that each team member feels valued and motivated. Trina's leadership skills have been instrumental in adapting the company's business model to meet the ever-changing needs of the industries they serve and the clients they love. In March 2020, faced with the unprecedented challenges posed by the global pandemic, Order Corner made the difficult decision to close its doors. However, Trina's dedication to her clients and passion for her work did not waver. Many of her clients reached out to her personally, praising the exceptional work of her team and expressing their gratitude for their invaluable services. Driven by a strong sense of responsibility and a commitment to her clients, Trina took the next step in her career journey. She founded Trina's Concierge and Catering (TCC), a new venture that operates at a minimal level while adapting to the current environment. Trina ensures that every precaution is taken to keep drivers and staff safe while maintaining the same level of excellence in coordinating and delivering food for professional environments. Trina's business model extends beyond just food delivery. She also coordinates and delivers other essential items as per client requests, going above and beyond to meet their needs. At TCC, every client is treated with utmost care and respect, and a team-based approach is taken with partner restaurants and caterers to ensure a personalized and perfect experience. Trina Montemayor is a dedicated professional who thrives on the challenges of the industry. Her adaptability, passion, and commitment to excellence make her a trusted partner for any professional or corporate event. For more information in Trina and TCC visit: https://trinacc.com

Suzanne Allaire has been working in environmental science for about 30 years with a bachelor degree in agriculture, a master in waste recycling and PhD on contaminant transport in porous media. She has collaborated with a wide range of industries, private companies, government agencies and research institutions to reduce the impact of humans on the environment by adding value to residues, protecting soils, and improving carbon budget; the last 20 years being mainly on biochar and pyrolysis of residues. She has worked as a full professor at Laval University in Canada for more than 16 years, then started GECA Environnement. As owner and CEO of GECA Environnement, she works with her team as an expert on derisking and accelerating pyrolysis and biochar project development, including prefeasibilities, pyrolysis products and their markets, product design, technology selection with the Product and Process Teams at GECA. Her Carbon team completes LCAs, feasibilities and develops complete projects of biochar carbon credits in addition to broker the credits for her clients. GECA’s team supports private companies, organizations, and governments of all sizes around the world (in 30 countries over the last 5 years) in various aspects of pyrolysis/gasification of wastes. https://www.linkedin.com/company/geca-environnement/