inspiring minds



Scott Howes
Strategic Lead for Climate Action & Biodiversity Recovery - Keep Northern Ireland Beautiful

“Empowerment is not about giving people power, it’s about reminding them that they already have it.”
Carol Buchner




Carol Buchner
Debbie leads Belfast City Council’s climate work and co-chairs the City’s ‘Our Planet Board’ and the Belfast Climate Commission. She leads a programme of work that includes working with partners to develop a coordinated pipeline of projects to decarbonise and re-nature the city. Prior to joining the Council, Debbie led the design and delivery of climate investments in Asia and Africa. She is a member of the Board for the Centre for Competitiveness and on the Advisory Board for the Belfast Maritime Consortium.
Jonny is an environmental social scientist, award-winning social entrepreneur, snow leopard conservationist and former community farmer.
Since April 2024, he has been a research fellow at Queen’s University Belfast with ARK, the Northern Ireland social policy hub. Here, he works on the social aspects of conservation, agriculture and climate, as well as on environmental peacebuilding.
His first popular science book, ‘Living with lynx: sharing landscapes with big cats, wolves and bears’ , and his first short film – on snow leopard conservation in Nepal – are both out in 2025
Jane Corderoy is the Director of the Climate Change Legislation and Policy Division in the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) in Northern Ireland. Jane is responsible for delivery of key strands of the UK wide Climate Change Act 2008 and the Climate Change Act (Northern Ireland) 2022 including NI participation in the Emissions Trading Scheme, CCC sponsorship, the development of the NI Climate Adaptation Programme, international climate cooperation, establishment of the Just Transition Commission, delivering Public Body Reporting and setting NI’s carbon budgets. Jane also leads on climate change education, just transition policy and working across government on how behaviour change can support climate action
Maurizio Liberante is the founder of Sustain, a consultancy network focused on sustainability, ESG, and responsible AI. Based in Belfast, he describes himself as a “passionate collaborator and ideator.”
His earlier work includes co-founding a non-profit called Climate Local, where he developed a “context to action” framework seeking to connect information on the climate crisis to actions at local through global levels. At Sustain and through his career, he has developed ESG programmes (for example, at Factor Law) and launched an initiative called Responsible AI for Climate Action (RAICA) to explore the intersection of AI and climate adaptation and solutions.
Sara Lynch is the Head of Sustainability at Queen’s University Belfast. She has over 20 years’ experience as a sustainability practitioner in the Corporate, NGO and Further Higher Education sectors. Sara currently leads the Queen’s Sustainability team, overseeing the delivery of a wide range of programs to embed sustainability across the University and deliver on the University’s Net Zero commitments.
Sara graduated from Queen’s University Belfast with a BSc Hons in Geography and an MSc in Applied Environmental Science in 2002. She is Board member and Ireland convenor for the Environmental Association of Universities and Colleges (EAUC).
Tamasin is founder and Managing Director of Omnipower Renewables, a renewable energy development and investor advisory company active across the UK and Ireland. Specialising in identifying, acquiring and developing renewable energy sites, she is growing a pipeline of onshore wind, solar and energy storage projects at various stages of development with key joint venture partners . Before founding the Company, Tamasin was UK Director for a leading international renewables developer, where she was responsible for establishing and delivering a 3 GW pipeline of onshore wind, solar and energy storage projects across the UK. Alongside this, she was elected to the role of Chair of RenewableNI in March 2024, the local voice of the renewable industry.
Joanne Sherwood is the Director of RSPB Northern Ireland, leading a dedicated team of staff and volunteers and inspiring them and others to save nature in Northern Ireland and on the Isle of Man, the latter in partnership with Manx Birdlife. She is a strong advocate of partnership working, including on an all-Ireland basis with BirdWatch Ireland.
A water engineer by background, she is also the Vice Chair of Northern Ireland Environment Link and prior to joining RSPB in 2014, had a 20-year career in environmental regulation and management in England and Wales
As an ESG Manager at Heron Bros, I am deeply passionate about our role in making a lasting positive impact on the environment, society, and the economy. But what really inspires me is the creativity, practicality and teamwork that defines the construction process. It is an incredibly rewarding experience to see how our collaborative efforts transform ideas into tangible structures that benefit communities. I am also a board member of organisations such as WOMEN’STEC and NIRN which allows me to advocate for diversity and sustainability in the industry I love. Through these roles, I’ve had the privilege of supporting women’s career paths in construction and promoting sustainable practices that align with both my values and those of Heron Bros. I am proud to be a woman in construction and would definitely recommend the industry to others. It’s a field packed with opportunities to grow and make a real difference within our communities
Gail has over 25 years’ experience working across B2B, B2C, public and private sectors, developing and implementing marketing strategies. Gail is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Marketing and a Liveryman of the Worshipful Company of Marketers. Gail is an experienced sailor, sailing out of Lough Neagh Sailing Club.
Emma Morris is Director of Operations at SONI. She has held a number of senior positions in SONI across grid operations and innovation.
Prior to her current role, Emma was Head of System Operations. She was responsible for the real time operation of the Northern Ireland Transmission System. This included managing the Castlereagh House Control Centre. Emma joined SONI as a graduate in 2006. She holds a Masters in Electrical and Electronic Engineering from Queen’s University Belfast.
Scott Howes has worked with Keep Northern Ireland Beautiful (KNIB) since 2020. With a background in working with young people, families and school groups Scott has held a variety of previous roles in social work, teaching and school headship for over 25 years. Scott holds a B.Sc. (Hons) degree in Environmental Studies, a PGCE and a National Professional Qualification for Headship (NPQH). He now leads the Climate Action & Biodiversity Recovery team for KNIB, focussed on providing a range of climate awareness training courses for schools, universities, community, and youth groups across Northern Ireland. The courses aim to widen the discussion around climate change and encourage involvement and action across sectors.
Siobhán Purnell is a communications professional with over 30 years’ experience spanning the energy sector, environmental charities, and higher education. For more than two decades, she has been a passionate advocate for sustainability, leading initiatives that champion energy efficiency, renewable energy, recycling, and the reduction of textile waste.
In October 2024, Siobhán joined Queen’s University Belfast as a Sustainability Programme Officer, where she plays a pivotal role in advancing the University’s circular economy strategy. Her recent work includes delivering high-impact campaigns for European Week for Waste Reduction and Repair Week, and contributing to the Reach ’25 Festival, helping to embed sustainability across the university community.
Claire Pollock is Head of Walk Wheel Cycle Trust in Northern Ireland. She has worked at the organisation for 19 years during which time she has gained a wealth of experience in the delivery of both active travel behaviour change and infrastructure projects. In her current role Claire leads a passionate team working in partnership with a wide range of stakeholders to make it easier for people to walk and cycle and enjoy the benefits that brings.
Katy Fulton is the Director of Bryson Recycling. She leads the social enterprise company delivering a range of waste management services across Northern Ireland, Republic of Ireland and Wales. Bryson Recycling collect and process recyclables from 50% of NI homes, deliver collection services for kerbsort recycling, garden and residual waste, operate a Materials Recovery Facility, manage fifteen household recycling centres and run two reuse shops. Bryson Recycling currently employ over 360 staff.
Katy has over 30 years’ experience in production management. She has previous experience within the food industry, and joined Bryson Recycling in 2005 where she worked in a variety of operational roles before take on the role of Director in 2024.
Louise Cullen is BBC News NI’s Agriculture and Environment Correspondent. Her role covers everything from conservation, farming and innovation, to water quality, scientific research and the ESG agenda. Her career started more than 20 years ago with Reuters, following her graduation from Queen’s University Belfast in Law & Accounting. After launching BBC Radio Ulster’s News in the West service for Fermanagh and Tyrone, she became the first district journalist for County Tyrone before returning to Broadcasting House in Belfast in 2013. There, her roles have included forward-planning, newsreading and reporting on health during the COVID pandemic. Since becoming the Agriculture and Environment Correspondent, she has immersed herself in a world of climate challenges, opportunities and solutions. Outside work, Louise is a keen reader and puzzler, qualified Zumba instructor, occasional baker and closet poet.
Lawrence holds a 17-year career in Business Support, Public Relations, and Strategic Communications within the research and development industry in Qatar. His passion for sustainability has taken him on a global journey, having travelled to 68 countries in search of sustainable best practices. Lawrence holds a Masters in Sustainable Development from Queens University Belfast. In 2022, he worked as the Project Lead for the Natural Capital Approach with Northern Ireland Environment Link funded by NI Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs. Currently, Lawrence serves as the Sustainable Manager for Linen Quarter BID, where he is instrumental in driving a bold vision to transform the district into the first sustainable district in Northern Ireland. His academic background, coupled with his extensive international exposure, positions him as a thought leader in the sustainable development arena.
Marie Nancarrow is a multi-award-winning sustainable designer from Belfast and the owner and founder of Titanic Denim, a sustainable denim design studio dedicated to transforming preloved jeans and denim garments into innovative new designs and products. Her acclaimed RESCUED bag collection won the Innovate UK Creative Industry Award in 2021, inspiring her to expand her focus beyond fashion and tackle the issue of industrial textile waste.
Marie is now launching her latest initiative, RESCUED, which collaborates with companies to repurpose textile waste into bespoke merchandise. This initiative provides businesses with an opportunity to demonstrate their commitment to social value, environmental, social, and corporate governance (ESG), and highlights their social and corporate responsibilities.
In addition to her entrepreneurial ventures, Marie escapes into the world of wardrobe and costume at the SSE Arena, working for some of the world’s top music artists during their touring shows.
Marie’s dedication to sustainable practices and innovative design continues to inspire others in the fashion industry and beyond.
Through his work, Liam engages members in practical and innovative application of Industrial Symbiosis within their businesses to achieve positive economic benefits, environmental compliance and positive social responsibility when utilising resources. Liam is adept at problem solving to assist businesses seeking to apply Circular Economy and IS principles, which supports them on the first steps towards Net Zero Waste.
Carol is Arup’s Global Advisory Services Portfolio leader and interim Europe Property Business leader.
He was instrumental in developing Arup’s position paper to define the circular economy in the context of the built environment and developing Arup’s work as the Ellen MacArthur Foundation’s (EMF) knowledge partner for the built environment. He continues to work to raise the awareness of the circular economy approach from general first principles to practice by identifying the many challenges, enablers and opportunities available to Arup and others in making the circular economy a reality. Carol regularly contributes to Circular Economy and thought pieces, presentations and interviews globally. Most notably, Carol was invited to give a key note address to the United Nations General Assembly at their Circular Economy event, in October 2018.
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