Dennis Fritsch Keywords oceans plastics environment healthy oceans technology finance sustainable development blue economies Read more about Dennis Fritsch Dr. Dennis Fritsch leads the United Nations’ Sustainable Blue Economy Finance Initiative, part of UNEP FI, focused on bringing banks, insurers and investors together to develop guidance and tools to enable financial institutions to align their activities with a sustainable ocean economy. The initiative is the host of the Sustainable Blue Economy Finance Principles; the world’s first global guiding framework for aligning financial flows with SDG 14 - Life Below Water.
Melanie King Keywords oceans plastics environment healthy oceans technology finance sustainable development blue economies Read more about Melanie King Melanie is an international development project specialist currently based with the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) in Samoa. Her work involves partnering with Pacific Island Countries, donors, and stakeholders to meet climate change priorities across a range of sectors. Melanie works with multiple stakeholders in various cultural settings to achieve practical solutions to climate change, environmental and development issues, and to transfer knowledge into on-ground outcomes.
Kelly Hoareau Keywords oceans plastics environment healthy oceans technology finance sustainable development blue economies Read more about Kelly Hoareau Kelly is the former and founding Director of the James Michel Blue Economy Research Institute at the University of Seychelles. Within Seychelles, she is actively developing academic resources, networks and knowledge to support the Seychelles Blue Economy agenda. Internationally, she contributes to research, education and awareness to advance ocean-based sustainable development, and is undertaking a PhD with Australia’s Blue Economy Cooperative Research Centre (CRC) through the University of Tasmania.
Rashid Sumaila Keywords oceans plastics environment healthy oceans technology finance sustainable development blue economies Read more about Rashid Sumaila Dr. Rashid Sumaila is a University Killam Professor and Canada Research Chair (Tier 1) in Interdisciplinary Ocean and Fisheries Economics at the Institute for the Oceans and Fisheries, and the School of Public Policy and Global Affairs, University of British Columbia. His research focuses on bioeconomics, marine ecosystem valuation and the analysis of global issues such as fisheries subsidies, marine protected areas, illegal fishing, climate change, marine plastic pollution, and oil spills.
Bharati Chaturvedi Keywords oceans plastics environment healthy oceans technology finance sustainable development blue economies Read more about Bharati Chaturvedi Bharati Chaturvedi is a writer and environmentalist. She is the founder of the globally awarded, India-based non-profit, Chintan, which works on environmental issues, with the poor and women at the centre of its work. She has led Chintan to excel in the understanding and action of three linked issues: resource efficiency, circular economy, and waste, air pollution. Chintan is well-known as one of the first organizations in India to turn the spotlight on including the informal sector in waste reduction, waste management, and climate change.
Barak Ekshtein Keywords oceans plastics environment healthy oceans technology finance sustainable development blue economies Read more about Barak Ekshtein For the past 15 years, Barak has been developing initiatives to reduce disposable plastics, promote public awareness of environmentally friendly products and services, and build a certified plastic credit system that treats non-recyclable plastics in the ocean-bound. Through these ventures, he has acquired the knowledge and understanding of how to help companies reduce their plastic footprints. TONTOTON is a plastic neutralization program that offers a sustainable and environmentally friendly solution to reduce plastic pollution in the natural environment and the oceans.
Siddharth Hande Keywords oceans plastics environment healthy oceans technology finance sustainable development blue economies Read more about Siddharth Hande Siddharth Hande is a development sector specialist based in Chennai, India. He is a GIS expert, experienced in delivering high-quality data-driven research. He has held leadership roles in varied projects related to Urban Governance, Sustainability and the Environment. He is the founder and current CEO of Kabadiwalla Connect, an award-winning social enterprise in the field of waste management.
Laura Benns Keywords oceans plastics environment healthy oceans technology finance sustainable development blue economies Read more about Laura Benns Laura is the Director of Programs at SecondMuse for The Incubation Network. Laura oversees the Ventures, Network Development, and Inclusive Market Systems programs, working with incubators and accelerators, entrepreneurs and innovators, investors, NGOs, and government leaders from across the region to develop and scale impactful solutions to combat ocean plastic pollution. Laura's background in human-centered design and experience working on complex system challenges drives her to create positive change through collaboration.
Sarahvan van Boekhout Keywords oceans plastics environment healthy oceans technology finance sustainable development blue economies Read more about Sarahvan van Boekhout Sarah manages the Inclusive Markets program at The Incubation Network and is based in Singapore. In her role, Sarah works with local organizations across South and Southeast Asia to explore gender-equitable solutions for improving the livelihoods and social protections of informal waste workers, and for developing socially responsible supply chains for recycled plastic. Originally from New Zealand, Sarah brings more than a decade of experience managing business operations and social impact projects in the United States, Australia, and Cambodia.
Sandhya Dovedy Keywords oceans plastics environment healthy oceans technology finance sustainable development blue economies Read more about Sandhya Dovedy Sandhya is the Program Manager, Network at SecondMuse based in Singapore. At The Incubation Network, Sandhya implements processes and tools to ensure all Network Development projects with Ecosystem Builders such as Entrepreneur Support Organizations, Civil Society Organizations, Academia, and more are efficient, seamless, and gender-inclusive.