Paul Louis Kiesow is the CEO and Co-Founder of HYTRA, a clean-energy company specializing in the transport and infrastructure of liquid hydrogen. He co-founded HYTRA in 2023 with the mission to accelerate the global transition toward scalable hydrogen solutions. His work focuses on bridging engineering, logistics, and energy systems to enable efficient long-distance hydrogen transport. Prior to founding HYTRA, he gained experience in technology-driven environments with a strong focus on innovation and system optimization.

Marta Ferreira Dias has a PhD in Economics from the University of Warwick, UK, a MSc in Economics from the University of Coimbra and a degree in Economics from the University of Coimbra. She is an Associate Professor in the University of Aveiro, at the Department of Economics, Management, Industrial Engineering and Tourism. She lectures under graduated and graduated courses of Microeconomics, European Economics, Microeconomic Analysis, International Economics and others, Energy Economics and Energy Policy and regulation. Presently, she is an integrated member of the research unit on Governance, Competitiveness and Public Policies (GOVCOPP). She is a member of research teams of the University of Aveiro participating in several European sponsored projects in the fields of Social Economy and Competences for graduates. She was the Director of the PhD in Energy Systems and Climate Change and now is director of the undergraduate studies in economics and the master in sustainable energy systems from the University of Aveiro. She is a co-author of scientific articles in peer-reviewed reference journals, books and book chapters in the areas of energy economics, Energy policy, Sustainability, regulation and economics.

Ahmad Sabirin is a sustainability governance and policy strategist focused on advancing climate action, responsible innovation, and sustainable economic transformation through research, institutional leadership, and international collaboration. He is the Founder and Managing Director of the Institute for Climate Law & Sustainable Policy, where he leads institutional strategy and multidisciplinary research initiatives exploring how governance systems, regulatory frameworks, and technological innovation can accelerate solutions to global sustainability challenges. Sabirin’s leadership focuses on strengthening the intersection between policy, innovation, and sustainable development. His work explores how emerging technologies, data-driven policy design, and international cooperation can support scalable climate solutions while promoting responsible economic growth and environmental stewardship. Through collaboration with universities, research institutions, policymakers, and international organizations, he contributes to the development of governance frameworks that encourage innovation while maintaining strong accountability and sustainability principles. Sabirin is an active participant in global research and policy dialogue, regularly contributing to conferences and international forums across Asia, Europe, and North America. His thought leadership addresses climate governance, digital transformation, sustainable markets, and regulatory innovation. He has authored more than 30 academic publications, including 11 Scopus-indexed articles, examining environmental governance, competition law, and the regulatory systems shaping sustainable development in emerging and global markets. Through his work in research, institutional leadership, and international engagement, Sabirin contributes to advancing governance frameworks that enable technology, policy, and collaboration to support long-term global sustainability and innovation.

Alireza Ghasempour has extensive experience in research, teaching, and executive positions. His areas of interest include smart grids, Internet of Things, artificial intelligence, and optimization techniques. He has published a book chapter and several papers in peer-reviewed journals and at conferences.

Alice Khouri is a legal and strategic advisor with over a decade of experience at the intersection of energy, sustainability, and regulation. She holds a Master’s degree in Public Law (cum laude) and is a PhD candidate in Law and Economics. Currently Head of Legal at Helexia Portugal, she integrates Legal and ESG as complementary drivers of business strategy.Alice is also a lecturer and coordinator of postgraduate intensive courses in Portugal, as well as a speaker at UN climate conferences (COP). She is the founder of Women in ESG Portugal, a growing community advancing collaboration and leadership in sustainability. She regularly contributes to academic and public debates on energy transition, ESG, and regulatory frameworks

Clayton Louis Ferrara is a millennial biologist and Knighted graduate of Rollins College and Harvard Business School. He is a poet, naturalist, and global nonprofit impact expert who serves as CEO of the United Nations Accredited Eco-Action nonprofit, IDEAS For Us. Clay also consults and teaches nonprofit excellence to celebrities, brands, and everyday people wanting to change the world for the better. He loves history, the arts, rock and roll, fashion, cars, - and especially turtles, tortoises, and terrapins.

Dr. Ricardo Alberto Rodríguez Carvajal is a researcher specializing in innovation management, technological development, and technology transfer with over 25 years of academic and professional experience. He has served at the University of Sonora and the University of Guanajuato and is currently a Level 1 member of Mexico’s National System of Researchers (SNI) and Coordinator of the Master’s Program in Technological Management and Innovation at DCNE. He holds a Ph.D. in Strategic Planning and Technology Management from Universidad Popular Autónoma del Estado de Puebla, an M.Sc. in Computer Science from Instituto Tecnológico de Hermosillo, and a Specialization in Sustainable Development and Industrial & Systems Engineering from the University of Sonora. Dr. Rodríguez Carvajal has authored 47+ indexed journal articles, 12 book chapters, and 4 books, and has supervised numerous undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral theses. His work bridges academia, industry, and renewable energy innovation, including the creation of solar energy and medical technology spin-offs and advisory roles in renewable energy technology transfer programs with GIZ. He has also contributed to major national solar energy initiatives in Mexico, collaborating with UNAM on projects such as LACYQS and CeMIE-Sol, supporting innovation and funding for renewable energy development.

Dr. OSCAR UGARTECHE GALARZA. Mexican, Senior Researcher C at the UNAM Institute of Economic Research, member of the National Research System SECITHI Level III. B.S. Finance from Fordham University, New York; London Business School (University of London) MSc. in Economics with a specialisation in International Finance; University of Bergen PhD. Philosophy and History. Member of the Mexican Academy of Sciences. Doctor Honoris Causa from the University of San Agustín, Arequipa, Peru. National University Award for Research in Economics and Administration 2021. He has been a visiting researcher at St. Antony's College, Oxford; the Development Centre at the University of Bergen; the Latin American Institute ILAS at the University of London; the Free University of Berlin; Newcastle University; the General Sarmiento University in Buenos Aires; Flacso Quito; IIEC UNAM; and the National University of San Marcos in Lima. He worked on international financial issues between 1976 and 2018. Since then, he has been working in the fields of global political economy of energy and the history of economic thought, and he monitors the impact of the international economy on Latin America in general and Mexico in particular at the Latin American Economic Observatory. Most recent book (October 2025) Dificultades de la transición energética (Difficulties of the Energy Transition), CLACSO IIEc UNAM, co-edited with David Bonilla. Areas of interest: History of Latin American economic thought, global political economy, changes in the energy matrix. Current research project China and the change in Mexico's energy matrix: a global political economy approach.

Mark is a Research Prof. at Mechanical Eng., Clarkson University, Potsdam NY, Lifetime Member of Building Enclosure Technology and Environment (BTECH) Committee of the National Institute of Building Science (NIBS) in Washington, DC. He worked at National Research Council of Canada (1975-2000) leading many programs, e.g. US/Canada/Europe CFC replacement in thermal insulating foams (Polyurethane and polystyrene). Mark was Editor-in-Chief of J. Building Physics (1984-2018) but now works as Guest Editor in different Journals. He was teaching in Mexico, US, Canada, Germany, Poland and China. He received the highest awards in building physics in the US and Canada. He wrote more than 250 peer reviewed papers and 7 books, has 100 k reads on the Research Gate in Berlin.

Prof. Krzysztof Pilarski specialises in renewable energy, with a particular focus on agricultural biogasplants and the assessment of their energy and technological performance. He combines academicresearch with implementation-oriented practice by providing biotechnological supervision of biogasinstallations and composting facilities, verifying their capacity to convert biomass into biogas, andsupporting substrate selection under real operating conditions. He also prepares documentation forenvironmental investments, including project information sheets and environmental impact assessmentreports for biogas facilities and photovoltaic farms. He has co-authored numerous expert reports andresearch documents, including analyses of biogas and methane yields for a wide range of substrates, aswell as concepts for technologies for the recovery and management of organic waste. He graduatedfrom Poznań University of Technology (MSc Eng in Chemical Technology), obtained a PhD inagricultural engineering, and received his habilitation in engineering and technology sciences; since2021, he has served as a Professor at Poznań University of Life Sciences. He has participated in arange of national and international research projects, as well as implementation projects carried out incooperation with industry and other external partners. For his scientific and project-related activities,he has been awarded the Rector’s Award on multiple occasions.

Prof. Agnieszka Pilarska specialises in the energy use of biomass, with a focus on biogas production,waste management, and the use of microbial supports and adsorbents in environmental processes. Onekey strand of her recent work is the immobilisation of bacterial cells on natural and synthetic supportsduring anaerobic digestion. She also develops innovative routes for converting organic andagricultural wastes into value-added products such as biocomposts and biofuels. Her research includesbiochemical methane potential (BMP) testing, kinetic analysis and process optimisation, as well asstudies of microbial communities using bioinformatics tools. She further investigates how selectedadditives and microbial inocula affect biodegradation efficiency, biogas yields, and soil environmentalquality in the context of sustainable agriculture. She holds degrees from Poznań University ofTechnology (MSc Eng in Chemical Technology; PhD in Chemical Sciences) and Adam MickiewiczUniversity in Poznań (BSc in Physics), and received her habilitation in environmental engineering,mining and energy from Poznań University of Life Sciences. She is predominantly a first andcorresponding author of peer-reviewed publications in environmental engineering, mining and energyto which she has contributed. She has received multiple Rector’s Awards and has reviewed severalPhD theses and habilitation achievements, including one international PhD.

Vinay V. Gadikar is an international energy professional with over 18 years of experience in energy efficiency, renewable energy, and sustainability. He is a Certified Energy Manager (CEM®), Certified Energy Auditor (CEA®), Carbon Auditing Professional (CAP®), and Certified Measurement & Verification Professional (CMVP®), with credentials from leading global institutions including the Association of Energy Engineers (AEE, USA) and the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE, India).Vinay currently serves as President of the AEE Pune Chapter and is an International Trainer for AEE certification programs. He has worked extensively with regulatory and government bodies such as BEE (India), Environment Agency (UK), Tarshid (Saudi Arabia), and the Ministry of Water and Irrigation (Jordan). His professional experience includes energy audits, ISO 50001 implementation, solar energy systems, power quality studies, and sustainability consulting across industries and commercial buildings.He has held key roles with organizations including Siemens India, Arabian Qudra (Saudi Arabia), and A.T.E. Pvt Ltd, and is currently an entrepreneur leading Green Flame Pvt Ltd, delivering energy and renewable solutions in India and internationally. Vinay is widely recognized for his expertise in energy management systems, demand-side management, and renewable energy integration.

Alan McGowan is currently an Assistant Professor (Part Time) at The New School, having served as chair of the science program and then of the environmental studies program. He is an Executive Editor of Environment magazine and chairman of the Legal and Governance Committee of the board of the Bermuda Institute of Ocean Sciences, which is now part of Arizona State University. He is a member of the Advisory Board of ASU’s Global Futures Lab. He was selected as 2019’s Top Science and Technical Expert by the International Association of Top Professionals, and alsoreceived a Lifetime Achievement Award from Marquis Who’s Who that same year. He is included in the 2024 edition of their Top Professional Series. He is a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, and has published over one hundred articles in both peer-reviewed and popular journals.

Almudena García-Sanz is Assistant Professor at the Complutense University of Madrid (UCM) and research member of the Complutense Institute for Economic Analysis (ICAE). She holds a PhD in Quantitative Finance and Economics from UCM, with a dissertation entitled “Essays on the Financial Materiality of the ESG, Gender Diversity and Biodiversity Risk”. Her research explores the intersection between sustainability and financial stability, focusing on ESG practices, gender diversity, and biodiversity-related risks. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Science Economics and a research master’s in International Economics from the Autonomous University of Madrid. She also holds a diploma in Advanced studies in International Economic Policy Research from the Kiel Institute for the World Economy (Germany). She also gained international research experience at Trinity College Dublin (Ireland) and has presented her work at several international conferences. Also, she is peer reviewer for high-impact journals. Previously, she worked as a research assistant at Funcas Europe (European division of Funcas, a Spanish Think Tank) and as a quantitative analyst in the private sector.

Dr. Deepak L. Waikar has been associated with the premier institutions, polytechnics, colleges, and academies in India and Singapore and British and Australian Universities offering courses in Singapore. He has authored/co-authored books, book chapters, research articles, and policy papers and delivered keynotes & plenary session presentations at international conferences, seminars, and forums. He has served on various committees in professional bodies, such as the Chair of the Institute of Electrical & Electronic Engineers (IEEE), Power & Energy Society (PES) Chapter, Singapore. He is a recipient of the IEEE-PES Outstanding Power Engineers' Award 2003. He has also been nominated to distinguished educator awards. He has served as Editor and reviewer for conferences and journals and as an external examiner for Doctoral Theses. He is a Senior Member of IEEE USA and a Life Member of the Institution of Engineers, India with Ph.D. from the National University of Singapore, M.S. from the University of Saskatchewan, Canada, respectively.

With a passion for optimizing the performances of the electrical power engineering industry, Dr. (hon.) Pravin Sankhwar brings an extensive amount of experience in engineering design and research. Holding a degree in master’s in electrical engineering from Michigan Tech, a bachelor’s in electrical engineering from Malviya National Institute of Technology, and a PhD candidate, he combines academic knowledge with practical expertise to drive meaningful change in the renewable energy industry. Throughout his career, Pravin Sankhwar has successfully delivered services in promoting energy efficiency, reduce carbon footprints, design power distribution systems, review research papers for major journals, judge student presentations and industry award events, and publish research articles. He believes in the power of collaboration and innovative thinking to address sustainable practices in the electrical power engineering industry. He is career mentor at IET and Sr. IEEE member.

Tomáš Hájek is a member of Association of Writers of the CR, Sexological Society of J.E.P. Czech Medical Society, International Association of Landscape Archaeology, Associazione internazionale mosaicisti contemporanei, Economic and Social Council of the Most Region,and the Czech Glass Society. His author theatre work is represented by the Dilia agency. He is a Founding member of the Moravian and Silesian Christian Academy and in 2019, hereceived the certificate of conversion to modern orthodox Judaism (State of Israel). During 1996–1997, he was a commentator of the Lidové noviny newspaper, and during 1995–2001 an external commentator of the Radio Free Europe. He was a Organizational secretary of theLiterary Newspaper. From 1998 to 2005, he worked at the Ministry of Environment of the CR; during 2000-2003 as the head of a separate department of ecology of urbanised areas and tourism, during 2004-2005 as an advisor to the Minister for the environment and cultural heritage. In 2003, he was appointed a member of the Czech Commission for UNESCO in the ad personam category. In 2006, he was the General Director of the National Institute for theProtection and Conservation of Monuments and Sites. During 2009-2011, he was the chairman of the central cultural committee of the Czech Social Democratic Party. In theatre,he was actively involved in Alfréd Radok Prize (2009-2013) and as a jury member in Czech Theatre, a festival of professional theatres outside Prague (2006-2013).

José Augusto Costa Gonçalves received his MSc and PhD in Environmental Geology and Conservation of Natural Resources from the Federal University of Ouro Preto, Graduated in Geology from the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro. He is currently an associate professorat the at the Federal University of Itajubá. Solid professional career with 35 years of experience working intensively with water resources and groundwater in Brazil. Worked asa Field Geologist in companies specializing in tubular well drilling. Has experience in the area of Geosciences, with an emphasis on Hydrogeology and Environmental Geotechnics,mainly working on the following topics: aquifers of large hydrographic basins, hydrogeochemistry, and studies on aquifer remediation and management. He is theCoordinator of the PROFÁGUA Postgraduate Program at the Minas Gerais, a Full Member of the Groundwater Technical Chamber of the CNRH (National Water Resources Council), aFull Member of the Normative and Appeals Chamber of the CERH (State Water Resources Council), a Full Member of the Board of Directors of IGAM (Minas Gerais Water Management Institute), a Full Member of the Granting and Charging Technical Chamber of the PiracicabaRiver Basin Committee, and President of the Piracicaba River Basin Committee.

Dr. Ricardo González Jiménez is a Senior Resource and Environmental Economist and the Head of the Department of Forest Sciences at the University of La Frontera (Chile). With a career spanning over two decades, Dr. González has established himself as a strategic link between economic theory and international environmental policy, specializing in land-use economics, ecosystem services valuation, and climate change adaptation. His professional trajectory is distinguished by a deep commitment to high-level consultancy and the development of technical frameworks for global institutions. HE has led and contributed to pivotal policy relevant projects for the World Bank, The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), and the UN-REDD programme. His work has been instrumental in designing economic instruments for forest conservation and carbon sequestration, directly impacting public policy and regional resilience strategies in both Latin America and the South Pacific. Dr. González hold adjunct research appointments at the University of the South Pacific (Fiji Islands) and the Pontifical Catholic University of Chile (National Center of Excellence for the Wood Industry - CENAMAD). His academic contributions, published in journals as Ecological Economics and World Development, focus on the econometric analysis of land-use change and the economic analysis of adaptation to climate change impacts. A dedicated educator and mentor, he has spearheaded international teaching programs across Chile, Australia, and the South Pacific Islands, including the supervision of the first PhD graduate in Climate Change at USP. Currently, as an Adjunct Fellow at the Centre for Sustainable Futures, he continues to advise on climate adaptation, bringing the gap between applied research and transformative social and environmental action.

Radka Matová works for the Innovation and Technology Department at SmVaK (North Moravian Waterworks and Sewerage Ostrava). Her work focuses on key areas of modern water management, emphasizing sustainability and efficiency within the company’s operations. Professional Focus Drinking and Wastewater Treatment & Reuse: Circular Economy: Focuses on effective sludge management and the energetic utilization of biogas. Innovation: Actively involved in innovation projects within Research and Development (R&D) for the private sector. Education and Career Academic Background: She earned her Master’s degree (Ing.) from the VŠB – Technical University of Ostrava, where she studied Water Technology and Management. Professional History: She has been working in the water industry since 2018.

Shahid Mallick is a doctoral researcher at Eastern Finland University (UEF). Before joining UEF, he served as an assistant professor (Anthropology) at the Gono Bishwabidyalay, Bangladesh. He is also a member of Water Europe, Green-Grey Infrastructure & Nature-Based Solutions (GGI & NBS) expert group. His research focuses on the intersections of culture, climate change, and water conservation, with a methodological approach grounded in ethnographic, cultural, and Indigenous perspectives. Shahid's experience as a community development and social change activist, along with his academic background in anthropology, provides a critical lens through which to examine the cultural dimensions of water management.

I am a Ph.D. candidate in Physics at Hassan II University of Casablanca, specializing in artificial intelligence–based predictive modeling for hydrogen storage materials. Myresearch focuses on integrating machine learning techniques with materials science to accelerate the discovery and optimization of advanced materials for sustainable energyapplications. I hold a Master’s degree in Physics and New Technologies, with a specialization in nanomaterials. During my master’s studies, I developed machine learning models topredict the properties of perovskite materials. Currently, my doctoral research aims to design AI-driven frameworks capable of predicting hydrogen storage performance bycombining data-driven approaches with physical modeling and materials science principles. Beyond my academic research, I have participated in international innovation programs in France and the United Arab Emirates. In France, I completed an intensive internship in technological innovation and entrepreneurship, focusing on research valorization andclimate-tech project development. In the UAE, I was selected as an Arab Youth Technology Fellow, where I engaged with leading AI experts and industry mentors, strengthening my expertise in real-world AI applications and climate technology innovation. I am passionate about bridging artificial intelligence, advanced materials, and cleanenergy solutions to contribute to sustainable and impactful technological development.

Dr. Emine Günok is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Turkish and Social Sciences Education at Gazi University, where she has been a faculty member since 2012. Her academic interests are primarily focused on physical geography, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), and remote sensing, and she has extensive experience in applying GIS methodologies to various geographical research projects.Dr. Günok’s professional journey has been marked by her commitment to education and research in the field of geosciences.Dr. Günok holds a Doctorate from Selçuk University in Turkey, where her thesis focused on applying GIS methodology to the physical geography of the Sorgun Stream Basin. She also earned her postgraduate degree from Selçuk University, witha thesis comparing the climate characteristics of the districts of Afyonkarahisar. Her undergraduate studies were completed at Selçuk University’s Faculty of Education.As a scholar and educator, Dr. Günok has published articles in various peer-reviewed journals, including Ankara Araştırmaları Dergisi and Türkiye Jeoloji Bülteni. Herresearch explores the impact of educational programs on geoheritage awareness and the application of GIS in physical geography studies. Dr. Günok is activelyinvolved in academic activities and has participated in several international conferences, presenting papers on the application of GIS in geographical studies.In addition to her academic work, Dr. Günok has held various managerial roles, including serving as the Erasmus Program Institutional Coordinator, Mevlana Exchange Program Institutional Coordinator, and Farabi Program InstitutionalCoordinator at Gazi University. She is also a member of several scientific organizations, such as the Geomorphology Association and the Geological HeritageProtection Association.Dr. Günok’s contributions to education and research have been recognized with multiple awards, including certificates of appreciation from TÜBİTAK and Gazi University’s Erasmus+ Program. She continues to inspire students and colleaguesalike through her dedication to advancing the field of geography and geosciences education.

Dr. Muddsair Sharif is a Digital Transformation Analytics researcher at Hochschule für Technik Stuttgart, Germany, where he specializes in AI-driven optimization and sustainable computing systems. With over 15 years of combined academic and industry experience, his research focuses on context-aware resource management, deep reinforcement learning applications, and high-performance computing optimization. Dr. Sharif's work directly addresses climate and sustainability challenges through innovative research in electric vehicle charging optimization and energy-efficient computing systems. His doctoral research at Birmingham City University centered on context-aware optimal resource management in electric vehicle Smart2Charge systems using deep reinforcement learning, contributing to sustainable transportation infrastructure. His publications in IEEE Access and other leading venues demonstrate advanced approaches to resource optimization that minimize energy consumption while maximizing system efficiency. As an experienced educator, Dr. Sharif teaches courses on digital transformation, IoT cloud architecture, and AI-driven business model innovation, emphasizing sustainable technology integration and environmental impact considerations. He has supervised numerous graduate theses and received the Best Researcher Award from Hochschule für Technik Stuttgart in 2025.Dr. Sharif holds a PhD in Computing from Birmingham City University (UK), an MSc in Software Technology specializing in Big Data Visualization from Linnaeus University (Sweden), and a BSc in Computer Science from COMSATS University (Pakistan). His interdisciplinary expertise bridges theoretical research with practical industry applications in sustainable digital transformation.

Sinian Zheng is a PhD candidate in Finance at UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School, supported by a full scholarship. Her research focuses on sustainable finance, ESG investing, and asset pricing efficiency. She has presented at leading international conferences, including the IAAE, FMND, ISCFS, OR66, and EIASM workshops. She has served as a research assistant and teaches Financial Econometrics at the master’s level. Sinian holds an MSc in Finance and a Bachelor of Commerce from University College Dublin, and a Bachelor of Economics from Beijing University of Technology. Her recent work explores how ESG performance impacts stock price efficiency in emerging markets.

Dr Tariq Umar is a Senior Lecturer in Construction Project Management in the School of Architecture & Environment at the University of the West of England (UWE Bristol). His research spans the built environment, with particular interest in construction materials, engineering sustainability, waste and resource management, renewable and sustainable energy, and the emerging domain of Construction 4.0. With over 100 peer-reviewed publications and international research funding secured, Dr Umar is recognised among the world’s top 2% of scientists for three consecutive years. A Chartered Civil Engineer (CEng), Eur Ing, MICE and FHEA, he actively mentors early career engineers and contributes to professional bodies including the Institution of Civil Engineers (UK). His work increasingly addresses the nexus of infrastructure, low-carbon technologies, and sustainable construction practices—making him an ideal contributor to discussions at the conference’s intersection of climate, energy and built-environment challenges.