What nature-based climate solutions are available for engineered systems and the built environment? Although it is important to think about nature-based solutions in ecological settings, this panel will look at the flip-side of the same issue: how to develop and produce nature-based climate solutions in the built environment. The discussion will likely draw upon specific issues in energy technology and urban resilience.
Our Speakers:
Axel Laval: Renewable energy engineer and net zero specialist with over a decade of experience in offshore wind and marine infrastructure across the UK. Holding a Master of Engineering in Mechanical Engineering (Renewable Energy) from the University of Edinburgh, he works on climate adaptation, asset performance, and decommissioning strategies to ensure energy systems are resilient and environmentally responsible. His expertise spans offshore wind portfolio management, full life-cycle infrastructure design, and advancing circular approaches such as turbine blade recycling to support a sustainable energy transition.
Laura Wendling: Deputy Director of the Sustainability Research Institute at the University of East London and Co-Editor-in-Chief of Nature-Based Solutions (Elsevier). She holds a PhD in Soil Chemistry from Washington State University and an MSc in Soil Biochemistry from the University of Idaho. Her research focuses on nature-based and hybrid solutions for climate-resilient water and soil management, including blue-green-grey infrastructure, circular economy approaches, and innovative materials for sustainable urban and rural systems.
Joshua Nicholas: Third-year PhD student in Geography studying how social factors shape individual resilience to natural hazards. He holds a Bachelor of Applied Science in Geological Engineering from UBC and is a registered professional geoscientist/engineer-in-training in Canada, where he worked on hazard risk assessments and mitigation design. His research explores how trust in institutions and communities influences the actions people take to adapt to and withstand environmental risks.
Chris Toavs: Chris is a PhD Candidate in the Dept of Engineering researching the circular economy as a model for diabetes care to mitigate the environmental impact of diabetes-related waste including single-use plastics and rare minerals. Her interdisciplinary background merges international health policy, access to medicines, and sustainability to provide feasible solutions in the health care industry without compromising patient health.
