University of Plymouth COP28 Side Event

El Hassan Research Chair for Sustainability, Royal Scientific Society, Jordan, UNESCO Chair in Geoscience, Society Professor of Geoscience Communication, University of Plymouth, UK.

A global ambassador for the earth sciences and at the forefront of communicating planetary concerns, Iain is breaking down the barriers to public understanding of natural events like earthquakes, volcanoes and tsunamis and the media responses to them. He is one of the UK’s most prominent faces for geoscience communication, partnering with the BBC for over 15 years; building on his own BBC series, ‘Rise of the Continents’. Iain’s academic background uncovers the geological traces of ancient earthquakes, volcanic eruptions and tsunamis, and understanding how these past events can help us address future disaster threats.

As the UNESCO Chair in ‘Geology and Society’, he currently leads their ‘ Geology for Sustainable Development ’ project, championing the role and contributions of geoscience in addressing the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

Chief Scientific Adviser (CSA) for the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ), UK

As CSA, he delivers independent and impartial scientific advice to Ministers and policy makers across the DESNZ portfolio. Paul also works closely with the Government Chief Scientific Adviser, other Departmental CSAs, and the department’s Chief Economist, to strengthen the links within and across departments, encouraging effective engagement and knowledge sharing, and to support delivery of a robust evidence base to underpin DESNZ policy decisions. Prior to joining the department, Paul was Pro-Vice Chancellor and Head of College of Science and Engineering at the University of Leicester, where he remains a Professor in Atmospheric Chemistry and Earth Observation Science.

Director, Centre for Decarbonisation and Offshore Renewable Energy, University of Plymouth and Supergen Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) Hub, UK

Deborah is one of the country’s foremost experts in offshore renewable energy. Her expertise spans two decades, having published over 180 peer-reviewed papers, and she is Director of the University’s Coastal, Ocean and Sediment Transport (COAST) laboratory , which is one of Europe’s leading facilities driving innovation in wind, tidal and wave technologies.

As Director of the University's Centre for Decarbonisation and Offshore Renewable Energy, Deborah heads up this critical mass of leading research and expertise, responding to climate change imperatives, and aligning to the UK Government’s Net Zero Strategy, British Energy Security Strategy and Clean Maritime Plan.

Deborah is currently Director of the UK’s Supergen Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) Hub, a £9million EPSRC research programme supported by both government and industry which unites academics and industry to provide solutions which meet the UK’s offshore renewable energy requirements.

Chairman and Technical Director, Renewable Energy Maldives Pvt. Ltd., Maldives

With over 20 years of research and development experience Dr Ibrahim Nashid formed Renewable Energy Maldives Private Limited (REM) in 2007 with the aim of reducing the Maldives’ reliance on imported fossil fuels for its energy needs.

From installing the first grid-connected roof-top solar PV in the Maldives, to signing the first Power Purchase Agreement of the Maldives between a private company and a state utility, under which it is still providing solar energy to six islands in Male atoll, REM also tackled the single biggest energy consumer in the country, air conditioning, introducing hot water driven absorption chillers from the waste heat of the diesel generators of the resort. In response to the reliance on sea transport underpinning the connectivity of the Maldives, the company also introduced solar powered and diesel/electric hybrid boats and is now working on a wave/solar floating energy platform.

Ibrahim Nashid is heavily involved in developing the partnerships, and particularly interested in educating the Maldivian public about energy, securing acceptance and enthusiasm for the possibilities the technology affords.

Research Fellow, University of Plymouth, UK and National Geographic Explorer

Dr. Imogen Napper is a marine scientist and National Geographic explorer. Her research investigates different sources of plastic pollution into the environment; this has helped to influence legislation banning microbeads in facial scrubs, investigated how we are polluting the planet through washing and wearing our clothes, demonstrated that biodegradable plastics bags could still hold a full load of shopping after being submerged in the ocean after three years and found the highest microplastics on Earth near Mount Everest summit. Additionally, she focusses on how plastic pollution is linked to other environmental issues. Her research shows how small changes can make a big difference and that larger environmental commitments are needed by industry and governments globally.

Eli Lilly Lecturer in Process and Chemical Engineering, University College Cork, Ireland

Dr Archishman Bose has significant expertise in carbon capture and utilisation, biochemical and bioprocess engineering and techno-economic and life cycle assessments of circular (bio)economy systems. He is a lecturer and programme director for PgDip/ MEngSc Pharmaceutical and Biopharmaceutical Engineering in Process and Chemical Engineering, University College Cork and is affiliated with the Environmental Research Institute and MaREI, the Science Foundation Ireland Research Centre for energy, climate and marine.

Archishman’s current research focuses on technical, economic, environmental, and social sustainability of low-carbon products and processes, circular bioeconomy, biorefinery and industrial ecology. Currently, he is leading and co-leading projects worth over € 1M on topics such as cascading co-production of alternative proteins (microalgae) and biomethane, and biomaterials for removing emerging pharmaceutical contaminants from wastewater. These industry-partnered projects not only aim to scientifically advance novel products and processes, but also understand societal impact of these technologies and generate business models for practical implementation and thus have initiated significant commercialisation interest from industries and national agencies in Ireland.

Professor of Sustainable Energy, Lead of the Energy and Climate Change Division, University of Southampton, UK

Professor AbuBakr S Bahaj is distinguished for his sustained leadership of technical innovations in the engineering and applications of renewable energy systems and energy efficiency over the last three decades, in the UK and internationally. He has successfully applied the engineering of renewables to alleviate environmental concerns whilst supporting the development of people addressing systems spanning the watt to megawatt scales.

Professor Bahaj established the energy theme within the University of Southampton and his major research programmes include Renewable Energy, Energy Access, Cities & Infrastructure, Buildings & Communities. His work has an h-index of 53 and resulted in over 350 articles, published in academic refereed journals and conference series of international standing.

He also held/holds visiting professorships in Sweden, China and Saudi Arabia and is a Fellow of the Institution of Engineering Technologies (FIET), Institution of Civil Engineers (FICE), and the Royal Academy of Arts (FRSA). He is Co-Chair of the Research Advisory Group for the Foreign and Commonwealth Development Office, Co-Chair of the Southampton Climate Commission and also leads the University of Southampton Sustainable Strategy Implementation Group.

Head of International Office, Plymouth Marine Laboratory.

Dr Matt Frost is a senior leader with over 25 years’ experience, he works extensively on international matters specialising in policy, networking and science diplomacy. Matt has worked on many aspects of marine including climate change and biodiversity, offshore decommissioning and marine planning. He has worked with a wide range of international bodies including the United Nations, embassies and NGOs. He chairs numerous science-policy committees including the UKs National Decade Committee, the Marine Climate Change Impacts Partnership and the World Association of Marine Stations. Matt has published over 160 journal papers, book chapters, reports and articles.