April 12, 2025

Green Horizons Symposium and Workshop: Reflections and Pathways to Sustainability

In this blog, Joanna Masangkay reflects on the Green Horizons Symposium, a two-day event that convened researchers, entrepreneurs, and practitioners to explore current challenges and opportunities in sustainability. Covering themes from nature-positive business models to biodiversity and green finance, the symposium highlighted the value of cross-sector dialogue in advancing environmental goals.

Blog by Joanna Masangkay

On February 4th, we hosted the Green Horizons Symposium, an inspiring gathering of thought leaders from both academic and practical spheres, united by a shared mission—to tackle pressing environmental and climate challenges. This event, followed by a more focused workshop on February 5th, provided an invaluable platform for discussion, collaboration, and action-oriented solutions. Proudly supported by the UK Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) and the Centre for the Understanding of Sustainable Prosperity (CUSP), the symposium underscored the urgent need for innovative approaches to sustainability.

A Tapestry of Insights and Innovations

The symposium featured a dynamic lineup of speakers, each contributing unique perspectives on key sustainability topics. From cutting-edge clean technologies to the financial barriers hindering green enterprises, and from biodiversity conservation to governance challenges, the discussions painted a comprehensive picture of the sustainability landscape.

One of the standout moments was the showcase of Middlesex University’s GreenFin Accelerator Programme—one of the UK’s first SME-focused, nature-positive tech accelerators. We were thrilled to welcome two of its pioneering participants:

Marcela Flores, CEO and Founder of TierraSphere, whose organization empowers regenerative agriculture with nature-based carbon dioxide removal (CDR).
Dr. Ifeyinwa Kanu, founder of IntelliDigest, a purpose-driven company revolutionizing the global food system with its innovative iDigest—a bio-upcycling robot designed to reduce food waste sustainably.

Exploring the Nature-Positive Business Landscape

The notion of “nature-positive business” was powerfully articulated by Dougal Fleming, who explored how SMEs are incorporating nature as a core stakeholder in their business models. By embedding sustainability throughout their value chains, companies can not only enhance their environmental impact but also strengthen their brand credibility and customer trust.

Navigating the Legal and Financial Frontiers of Sustainability

Legal and financial complexities in the green sector were another crucial focus. David Ellis of W Legalprovided a deep dive into the intricate regulatory frameworks governing environmental finance, intellectual property rights, and clean-tech ventures. His insights highlighted the growing need for businesses to navigate these challenges effectively to scale their impact.

We also heard from Dr. Amy Burnett, who collaborated on a project with Prof. Fergus Lyon and Prof. Robyn Owen, explored the role of Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) as an innovation financing mechanism. Meanwhile, Dr. Eimear McGeown (University College Cork) and Dr. Sylvia Gottschalk (Middlesex University) each examined the evolving landscape of green debt financing for SMEs, shedding light on alternative non-bank debt solutions that can drive sustainable innovation. Gemma George of Green Business Action, followed on with how their organisation delivers sustainability support to SMEs in London, UK.

The Power of Impact-Driven Entrepreneurship

Closing out the symposium with unmatched energy was Olivia “Liv” Sibony, an entrepreneur and advocate for responsible investment. As the co-founder of Impact Amplified, Liv is at the forefront of empowering professionals to embed sustainability into their work. Her passionate call to action emphasized that sustainability is not just an obligation—it’s an opportunity to create lasting, meaningful change.

The Urgency of Biodiversity Conservation

As the chair for this symposium, I had the privilege of facilitating deep discussions on the interconnectedness of biodiversity and ecosystem health. Biodiversity is not just about preserving species—it is fundamental to climate regulation, food security, and planetary resilience. Healthy ecosystems play a crucial role in carbon sequestration, local weather stability, and the overall balance of our natural world. The enthusiasm and engagement from our audience, academics and practitioners alike, reaffirmed the collective urgency to protect biodiversity and implement sustainable solutions.

Looking Ahead: Collaboration for a Sustainable Future

One of the most powerful takeaways from the symposium was the shared commitment among attendees to drive change. By fostering cross-sector collaboration, championing innovation, and advocating for nature-positive solutions, we are collectively paving the way for a more sustainable future.

For those eager to delve deeper into the insights from this event, I invite you to reach out to me at joanna25@mdx.ac.uk for access to presentation slides and further resources. Your engagement in this critical conversation is invaluable.

(Special thanks to Amy Burnett for capturing the event through her photography, and of course to Robyn Owen for sparking the collaborations for this event.)