Reflecting on the discussions at COP28, it is important to remember the interlinked nature of the climate and biodiversity crises. Addressing these issues holistically will be dependent on developing solutions with multiple benefits for both nature and climate adaptation and mitigation. 

This event will feature expert presentations exploring how the crises can be addressed together, the role of nature-based solutions in supporting sustainability, and how new reporting frameworks like the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) and the Task Force in Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD) can support organisations in identifying the risks and opportunities related to climate and nature in their work. 

This event has been organised by the Climate Action Community. Find out more about their work and how you can get involved.

Our speakers

Dr Matthew Ling, Nature-based Solutions Lead at GHD

Matthew currently occupies the position of Nature-based Solutions Lead at the global professional services company, GHD. Matthew is an environmental professional with >15 years’ experience across consultancy, local government, and NGO sectors, focusing on environment, ecology, biodiversity, restoration, and climate. Prior to joining GHD, he led the delivery of a 3-year green infrastructure project supporting a Local Authority in the UK to increase climate resilience at the city level and contribute to the attainment of the Council’s net zero carbon emissions target. Matthew has authored a number of reports on the topics of natural capital, ecosystem services, ecosystem assessment, biodiversity, and green infrastructure.

Brigette Reid, CEO & Cofounder of Frontierra

Brigette is an ESG and Sustainable Finance expert working across finance, renewables and environmental consultancy. With a background in Environmental Science and Environmental Impact Assessments, she has an in-depth understanding of the complexities and interconnectivity of the risks, opportunities and impacts of organisations on our environment. 

She specialises in assisting all types of organisations to manage, measure and report their environmental and social risks and impacts, and has been appointed as a Green Finance expert to the UK PACT programme funded by the UK Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS). She was awarded the Thrive LATAM Ag-Tech Female Founders Award in 2021 and is a Certified Advisory Board Chair. 

She has a track record of innovation and collaboration to deliver high quality results on projects and initiatives across Europe, Asia, Australia, USA and Latin America. She has proven success in managing complex projects in both a consultancy and investment-banking environment. Brigette provides strong practical support and guidance to maximise impact, and is passionate and ambitious about making a positive and enduring contribution to sustainability.

Professor Peter Smith, Professor of Soils & Global Change at the University of Aberdeen

Peter is Professor of Soils and Global Change at the Institute of Biological and Environmental Sciences at the University of Aberdeen (Scotland, UK) and Science Director of the Scottish Climate Change Centre of Expertise (ClimateXChange).  His interests include climate change mitigation, soils, agriculture, food systems, ecosystem services modelling and nature-based solutions. 

He is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Biology, a Fellow of the Institute of Soil Scientists, a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh, a Foreign Fellow of the Indian National Science Academy, a Fellow of the European Science Academy, and a Fellow of the Royal Society (London).