Climate change, energy, and sustainability

Following her masters studies, Beatriz was awarded a Chartership in Marine Science by the Institute of Marine Engineering, Science and Technology (IMarEST) and is now a qualified Chartered Marine Scientist and Chartered Scientist. She has become an international expert in estuarine and coastal geomorphology, sediment transport, and hydrodynamics, as well as having been involved in a number of environmental impact assessments, evaluation of wastewater treatment plants, and sewage dispersion in coastal and ocean areas. As a chartered coastal scientist for Jacobs, Beatriz provides technical input to coastal processes in estuarine and coastal environments.

Anjal is an off-grid solar expert focussed on addressing Nepal’s energy access problems. As the general manager of Gham Power, he works with solar microgrids to provide a reliable electricity source to those who need it. Specifically, Anjal oversees research and development, as well as product strategy, including business development, design, and engineering. So far, Gham Power has installed 2.5MW of solar microgrids across more than 2,000 projects, helping people to avoid using environmentally damaging fuels such as diesel and kerosene. Anjal is a member of the Future Energy Leader’s group with the World Energy Council where he works on the Energy Access taskforce. In 2018, he was featured in the Forbes 30 under 30 Asia list.

Chinwe Ohajuruka is a green architect who has developed an innovative approach to tackling issues of housing and sustainability in Nigeria. By designing affordable houses that use natural ventilation and solar energy, and can be built in only 12 weeks, Chinwe provides sustainable housing that tackles Nigeria’s water, energy and sanitation crises, while confronting global climate change issues. In 2012, Chinwe founded Comprehensive Design Services (CDS), a green housing company, which uses her architectural designs to provide innovative housing for Nigerian families, relocating them from their previous, unsatisfactory living conditions. Chinwe’s ground-breaking work has been recognised with a number of awards, including the National Geographic ‘Great Energy Challenge Innovator’ grant, the Cartier Women’s Initiative Sub-Saharan Africa Laureate Award, and the GSBI Online Social Entrepreneurship Incubator award.

Driven by a strong commitment to advancing the transition to clean energy, Eunice co-founded African Sun Energy. What began as a small, self-funded enterprise has evolved into three successful companies operating in Botswana, Malawi, and Zambia, providing essential clean energy services to both communities and commercial clients. In addition to this, Eunice is spearheading skills training initiatives that empower women and create new employment opportunities, with over 50 percent of their workforce comprised of women. Eunice aspires to connect an additional 660 million Africans with groundbreaking clean energy solutions. She was a global finalist in StudyUK’s Business and Innovation Awards 2024.

Jennifer is the founder of SustyVibes, a youth-led organisation making sustainability actionable, relatable, and cool for young people. Jennifer’s recent work focuses on exploring the impacts of the climate crisis on the mental health of Africans, especially among young people. In 2022, she set up the Eco-Anxiety Africa project as a flagship project focused on safeguarding climate emotions in Africans through research, advocacy, and climate-aware psychotherapy. Jennifer was listed among the BBC 100 most inspiring women in 2023. She was a global finalist in StudyUK’s Science and Sustainability Awards 2024.