Join us for a conversation with Emmet Murphy, a seasoned founder, food security and climate leader with over 25 years of experience driving sustainable agriculture across Africa, the Caribbean, and the Middle East. 

Emmet will share lessons from his work leading large-scale, agricultural development and tech-enabled adaptation projects from deploying AI-powered tools and drones in rural farming systems to managing complex USAID programs in frontier markets.

Drawing on his experience with smallholder farming communities, he'll explore how climate change is disrupting agriculture and what practical, scalable solutions are emerging to build resilience. This session will unpack:

• The evolving climate risks facing smallholder farmers across Africa
• How inclusive innovation and local insight can drive adaptation and systemic change
• The role of digital tools in transforming last-mile agricultural systems
• Real-world stories from Haiti, Rwanda, Nigeria, and beyond

Join Silvan Aeschlimann for a discussion on the potential and pitfalls of Direct Air Capture (DAC) in addressing climate change. We will delve into the science behind DAC, its feasibility, and its ethical implications, offering insights into how this technology fits within broader climate action strategies.

Meet the speaker

Silvan Aeschlimann, former Direct Air Capture and Storage lead at RMI

Silvan Aeschlimann is an independent climate advisor specializing in CDR solutions. He previously advised the RMI’s start-up accelerator, Third Derivative, on its CDR portfolio. He has also led RMI’s direct air capture work as part of its CDR initiative, helped build up a small CDR-focused non-profit organization from scratch, and worked as an investigative journalist in both television and print media. He is a co-author of several roadmaps on CDR.

Join us for a session with Ikarus Janzen, Chief Commercial Officer and Co-Founder of Varaha, Asia’s leading carbon removal company. 

From closing the world’s largest biochar deal with Google to forging high-impact partnerships and pioneering climate tech investments, Ikarus brings a rare blend of commercial strategy and deep sector insight. He’ll share Varaha’s story, lessons from scaling climate solutions across emerging markets, and what it takes to build trust and value in the carbon removal space.

Ideal for anyone curious about the future of carbon markets, climate tech entrepreneurship, and building in the Global South.

Join us for a live Q&A session to learn more about our course, Corporate Sustainability Leadership Accelerator, from its creator, Dr. Janice Lao.

Take a deeper look at the course content to determine if it is the right course for you and your climate journey.

Meet the Speaker(s):

Dr. Janice Lao, Co-Founder, Project Eleven and 3X Head of Sustainability

Dr. Janice Lao is an internationally awarded environmental scientist and economist working in the field of corporate sustainability for 20 years. In the past decade, she has led the sustainability agenda for multinational companies worldwide such as Peninsula Hotels, MTR Corporation, Cathay Pacific, Swire Group, and Helen of Troy, in industries spanning conglomerates, real estate, hospitality, transport, and consumer goods. She has extensive knowledge and deep practical experience in global corporate sustainability programs, having worked in China, Australia, UK and US. She was named in Forbes Magazine in 2018 as one of the world’s most influential female sustainability leaders and by Greenbiz in 2019 as one of the most influential women working in climate. She graduated from the University of Oxford and completed her Ph.D. in Sustainability Education at Prescott College.

Dr. Merrin Pearse is a seasoned Sustainability Advisor with over 15 years of experience guiding global companies on circular economy strategy, waste reduction, and sustainable supply chains. With a doctorate in Geomatics and a track record of developing sustainability frameworks across hospitality, transport, and FMCG sectors, Merrin blends technical rigor with a people-first approach. He currently serves on the board of Masarang HK and is driven by a mission to reconnect people with nature through impactful, business-aligned climate action.

About the course:

Corporate Sustainability Leadership Accelerator

This 8-week course equips you with the essential skills to excel in a corporate sustainability team. Learn from sustainability expert Dr. Janice Lao, drawing on her two decades of experience leading sustainability efforts in multinational corporations. Network with professionals and gain the skills to break into the corporate sustainability sector and drive sustainability initiatives within your organization. Learn more.