Greening the Economy: Sustainable Cities

Kes McCormick is a Professor of Business Development and Sustainable Innovation at the Department of People and Society at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU) and holds a position at the International Institute for Industrial Environmental Economics (IIIEE) at Lund University. With a robust background in political science and environmental science, he brings over 20 years of academic and management experience to his work. His research and educational efforts focus on sustainability, business innovation, and governance, emphasizing capacity building and lifelong learning. McCormick has engaged more than 125,000 participants through Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) and has contributed significantly to various projects collaborating with local governments, NGOs, and industry stakeholders.

Prof. Lena Neij is a distinguished Professor and Director at the International Institute for Industrial Environmental Economics (IIIEE) at Lund University. Her research focuses on the dynamics of energy systems, examining governance and policies that promote sustainable development. She specializes in assessing technical change, including the development, introduction, and diffusion of new technologies, as well as policy measures aimed at accelerating these changes. Prof. Neij's interdisciplinary work addresses renewable energy technologies, energy efficiency, sustainable buildings, and sustainable urban development, contributing to a green energy economy. She holds a UNESCO Chair in Education for Sustainable Development and has published extensively in her field.

Professor Harriet Bulkeley is a distinguished academic with joint appointments at Durham University and the Copernicus Institute of Sustainable Development at Utrecht University. Her research centers on environmental governance, focusing on the politics of climate change, energy, and sustainable cities. With a prolific publication record that includes eight books and over 60 papers, her influential works such as An Urban Politics of Climate Change and Accomplishing Climate Governance have shaped contemporary discourse in her field. Currently, she coordinates the H2020 NATURVATION project, which explores urban innovation through nature-based solutions for sustainable development, and serves as a co-investigator on the H2020 REINVENT project that addresses the political and financial challenges of decarbonization. Professor Bulkeley has collaborated with various organizations, including the UK Government and the World Bank, to translate research into actionable policies. Her accolades include the King Carl XVI Gustaf Professorship in Environmental Science and recognition as a Fellow of the British Academy, highlighting her significant impact on climate policy and governance.

Professor James Evans is a prominent figure in the field of urban environmental governance, currently serving as a visiting researcher at Lund University while also holding a position at the University of Manchester in the UK. His research primarily focuses on how cities can learn to enhance their sustainability, with particular emphasis on the role of living labs in fostering innovative urban development. With numerous publications to his name, Professor Evans has significantly contributed to the understanding of urban living labs as a transformative approach to governance and community engagement. His commitment to interdisciplinary action research has led him to collaborate with various external organizations, including the United Nations and national governments, aiming to create practical solutions for urban challenges. Through his work, he seeks to bridge academic insights with real-world applications, ultimately guiding cities toward more sustainable futures.