Climate Solutions: Taking Action

Dave Reay is a Professor of Carbon Management & Education at the University of Edinburgh, where he has dedicated over 25 years to addressing climate change. He directs the Edinburgh Climate Change Institute and has conducted research in diverse environments, from the Southern Ocean to Scottish wetlands. With over 150 publications, including research articles and books on climate change, he has also created the award-winning Masters in Carbon Management program. In addition, Reay advises both the UK and Scottish Governments on climate change action.

Vanessa Ombura is a dynamic professional who graduated from the University of Edinburgh with a degree in Civil Engineering in 2021. As a MasterCard Foundation scholar, she demonstrated exceptional leadership and received the Edinburgh Award for Transformative Achievement. Her career has evolved from her engineering background to include roles in strategy and management consultancy, currently working at Boston Consulting Group (BCG). As co-founder of Leapfrogging Beyond Borders, she developed initiatives focused on smart transport in developing countries and organized student workshops to explore its impact. Ombura's work spans both the UK and East Africa, where she combines her technical expertise with a passion for sustainable infrastructure research and university course development. Her commitment to social impact is evident in her work developing a social enterprise aimed at empowering youth in emerging economies through personal development resources. Beyond her professional pursuits, Ombura expresses her creativity through performance art, particularly spoken word poetry, showcasing her multifaceted approach to personal and professional development.

Lucy Stanfield (now Lucy Stanfield-Jenner) is a multifaceted sustainability professional who has evolved from her role as Circular Economy Business Development Executive at the University of Edinburgh to becoming Director and Head of Natural Capital at Savills. Her expertise spans research and innovation in circular economy and low-carbon initiatives, building upon her MSc in Carbon Management from the University of Edinburgh, where she specialized in land ownership and management for carbon sequestration. As Chair of the 2050 Climate Group, Scotland's youth-led climate charity, she demonstrates her commitment to empowering young people in climate action. Her work includes developing business frameworks for sustainable startups, supporting innovation in environmental sciences, and contributing to various climate initiatives. Through her involvement in the CloudEARTHi project and other university initiatives, she helps bridge the gap between academic research and practical implementation of circular economy principles. Stanfield-Jenner is also actively involved in strategy and business development within the environment and higher education sectors, regularly participating in sustainability showcases and circular economy discussions at both academic and policy levels.

Justine Bolton is a pioneering figure in climate finance and sustainability, currently serving as a Carbon and Biodiversity Specialist in the Environmental, Nature & Climate Risk team at FirstRand Limited while pursuing her PhD in carbon accounting at the University of Edinburgh Business School. Her multifaceted role encompasses managing climate change resilience, carbon footprint assessment, and climate-related risk analysis for FirstRand Group, aligning with TCFD recommendations. Bolton's expertise, bolstered by her Master's in Carbon Management from the University of Edinburgh, spans carbon accounting, financed emissions, portfolio alignment, and climate risk management. As a Board Member of PCAF and co-chair of its Africa implementation team, she fosters collaboration among African financial institutions in climate mitigation efforts. Her impactful work includes establishing internal shadow carbon pricing, setting science-based emissions reduction targets, and enhancing resource management across FirstRand's operations. Bolton's ongoing PhD research focuses on measuring financed emissions in banking portfolios, contributing to the group's climate risk management strategies. Her influence extends to her role on the PBAF Board, where she participates in developing guidance for financial institutions on biodiversity-related risks and opportunities, cementing her status as a key player in advancing sustainable finance practices globally.

Galina, a PhD candidate at the University of Edinburgh, focuses on greenhouse gas dynamics in forests across Scotland and South Asia. With a master’s degree in Carbon Management and a bachelor’s in Ecology and Environmental Sciences, she combines scientific and socio-economic perspectives to address complex challenges like climate change. Her diverse experience spans molecular laboratory work on potatoes and bee pollen to stakeholder engagement in the Scottish land sector through international research projects. Galina played a key role in developing content for the Climate Solutions course and related offerings within the Royal Scottish Geographical Society’s Climate Solutions Programme. Passionate about climate change mitigation and adaptation, she firmly believes education is central to driving effective Climate Solutions.