The programme is being updated continuously as new speakers join and new content is added.
Speakers include:
Marc Sadler, Practice Manager, The World Bank
Chellie Pingree, Congresswoman, United States House of Representatives
In Congress, Chellie is an advocate for reforming federal policy to better support the diverse range of American agriculture-including sustainable, organic, and locally focused farming. As a member of the House Agriculture Committee and the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture, she continues to make food policy reform her top priority. Due to her leadership, the 2018 Farm Bill more than doubled funding for organic research, created the first federal produce prescription program, and established the first federal local food program with permanent funding. This year, Chellie is focused on the intersection of climate change and agriculture with the introduction of the Agriculture Resilience Act, comprehensive legislation highlighting opportunities for farmers to be an integral part of the climate solution.
Roger Aines, Chief Scientist, Energy Program, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory.
Roger holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Chemistry from Carleton College, and Doctor of Philosophy in geochemistry from the California Institute of Technology.
Roger leads the Carbon Initiative at LLNL, which aims to understand, develop, and implement technologies for the removal of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, so-called negative emissions technologies. He has been at LLNL since 1984 working on nuclear waste disposal, environmental remediation, application of stochastic methods to inversion and data fusion, management of carbon emissions including separation technology, and monitoring and verification methods for sequestration. With Amy Aines he authored the recently released Championing Science, a book that helps scientists communicate more effectively with decision makers.
Tomoo Machiba, Deputy Director, UN Climate Technology Centre & Network (CTCN)
Ricardo Cepeda-Márquez, Technical Lead – Food, Water & Waste Programme, C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group
Ricardo Cepeda-Márquez serves as C40’s Senior Expert covering the areas of waste and water. Previously, Ricardo led the development of C40’s Waste and Water Initiative, bringing attention to the overlooked opportunities in GHG emission reductions in waste, water supply and wastewater systems, including the importance to focus on upstream activities around prevention and reduction, as well as the urgency to address methane emissions from landfills and wastewater treatment.
Janez Potocnik (former EU Commissioner, Vice Chair UNEP Resource Council)
Sandra Mazo-Nix, Coordinator – Waste Initiative, Climate & Clean Air Coalition (CCAC) Secretariat
Sandra Mazo-Nix has a Bachelor of Science in Engineering Management from the National University of Colombia and a Master of Science in Environmental Science and Policy from George Mason University (Virginia, US). Ms. Mazo-Nix joined Climate and Clean Coalition (CCAC) as the Municipal Solid Waste Initiative coordinator in January 2016. Ms. Mazo-Nix has over 13 years of experience focusing on environmental policy issues, solid waste management, and the mitigation of climate change. She has also worked on projects related to landfill gas generation, collection and utilization. The Solid Waste Association of North America (SWANA) has certified her as Recycling Systems Manager and Composting Programs Manager.
Catalina Etcheverry, Coordinator – Agriculture Initiative, Climate & Clean Air Coalition (CCAC)
Catalina serves as Coordinator of the Agriculture and Bricks Initiatives. Her responsibilities include oversight of the achievement of the initiatives’ goals and targets including providing support, advice and monitoring for the implementation of activities in coordination with the Lead Partners.
Patrick Serfass, Executive Director, American Biogas Council
Patrick has led the American Biogas Council for 10 years since he helped formed the first and still only trade association representing the entire biogas industry in the US. The ABC now represents over 200 organizations and has a network of more than 14,000 stakeholders in the biogas industry. Patrick has nearly 20 years’ experience growing other clean energy industries, like biogas, solar, and hydrogen, through the company that manages the ABC, Technology Transition Corporation. In Patrick’s early career, he was a physical oceanographer, architectural engineer and designed unmanned deep ocean vehicles. Patrick holds a Bachelor of Arts in Engineering Sciences from Dartmouth College.
David Newman, President, World Biogas Association (WBA)
President of World Biogas Association since 2016, he has worked in biowaste management for 20 years, promoting food waste collections, composting and biogas production as well as promoting the use of bioplastics. Previously he was President of the International Solid Waste Association 2012-2016. He runs the UK Bio-Based and Biodegradable Industries Association and his private waste sector consultancy and lives and works from London.
Dr. Atma Ram Shukla Ex-Advisor, MNRE, and President, Indian Biogas Association
Dr. Shukla superannuated as Adviser (Bio-energy), in the pay scale of Joint Secretary, from the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, Government of India, New Delhi in September 2011 after working for about twenty-nine years. In all, he has about forty-two years of experience in policy, planning and developing RD&D projects on Renewable energies at National level, devising dissemination programmes along with its implementation, development of standards, and involvement in country wide monitoring focused at reaching the last mile.
Mike Bakas, Executive Vice President, Distributed Energy Systems of Ameresco (NYSE: AMRC) and member of the founding management team
As a pioneer in the energy industry, he completed some of the earliest agreements that helped shape the markets in those states that first implemented renewable portfolio standards. At Ameresco, he has driven the growth of the company’s award-winning energy asset portfolio, many of which provide resiliency services to mission critical facilities under a P3 structure and have won numerous awards (including from the U.S. EPA).
Harmen Dekker, Managing Director, European Biogas Association
George Minter, Energy and Environmental Affairs Consultant
George Minter currently serves as a consultant to energy and environmental organizations on energy and environmental policy, strategy and communications, with a focus on renewable gas and hydrogen development. He was formerly a vice president of external affairs and environmental strategy for Southern California Gas Company (SoCalGas), responsible for the company’s public affairs, community relations, public policy and energy and environmental affairs functions. Minter is a long-time policy professional specializing in energy and environmental matters, strategic planning, program development, communications and political advocacy.
Prof. Dr. Hassan El Bari, President, Moroccan Association of Solid Waste
Prof. Dr. Hassan El Bari has obtained the PhD in Material Sciences from INPL (France) in 1987 and also has “Doctorat d’Etat” in Mechanical Engineering, University Mohamed V, Rabat – Morocco-1998. The Master Degree Coordinator Waste Management and Recovery, University of Ibn Tofail, 2010-2014. Potential expert for the Education, Audiovisual and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA-TEMPUS-Experts)-2012. Responsible for Work Package 5 (Biogas Production) in the European project BIOWASTE4SP, «Turning biowaste into sustainable products: development of appropriate conversion technologies applicable in developing countries – Project funded under EU FP7, Grant Agreement Nr.: 312111, www.biowaste4sp.eu. Member of the International Solid Waste Association (ISWA) 2004-2014.
Johnny Stuen, technical director at the Waste Agency, City of Oslo.
He is responsible for technical strategy and development for the treatment side of waste management in the City of Oslo. He holds a Masters degree in process technology, and has worked in several industrial companies producing chemicals, insulation and foodstuff before he joined the Waste Agency in 2007 as a director of production, later changing to technical director. From the 1.st of October 2020 he will be responsible for the operation of all the treatment plants for municipal waste in Oslo.
He has lead the national working group on energy recovery in Norway, and is since 2010 member in the ISWA working group for energy recovery, and since spring 2017 he is chairing the same group.
Marco Ricci – Jürgensen ,Managing Director of Altereko sas, Consultancy on Recycling and Waste Management. Senior Expert at CIC – Italian Composting and Biogas Association
Marco has 20 years of experience in planning consistent MSW management, designing and upgrading of collection and transport schemes, assessing recycling facilities (focus on composting), working in multi-linguistic, multi-tasking working groups or projects both in ´high-´ and ´low to middle income’ countries in Europe, Latin America and Asia. With a specific engagement for MSW solutions in cities he supported the City of Milan (Italy) in setting up the recycling scheme for food waste in 2012 and defined the strategy for organic waste diversion and recycling for the Mega-City of Sao Paulo do Brazil.
Takuya MATSUBARA
Operates two companies in Japan’s emerging biogas market. Epower Corp. invests in biogas projects; and Genec Ltd. designs, constructs, and manages biogas plants for owners. Six plants are currently up and running with electric capacities ranging from 30kW to 150kW. Prior to start on his own, he had finance and investment careers in Mitsubishi-UFJ Bank, Dresdner Kleinwort Benson, Enron Corp., and Cargill Inc. He was also one of the first movers in Japan’s renewable energy right after Feed-in-Tariff was introduced in 2012 as the aftermath of the 2011 Tohoku earthquake, and was involved in nearly 60MW of solar projects.
Dr Andy Rees OBE, Head of Waste Strategy Resource Efficiency and Circular Economy Division, Welsh Government
Luca Tasciotti, Senior Lecturer in Economics, Department of International Business and Economics, Business Faculty, University of Greenwich
Luca is a Senior Lecturer in Economics for the University of Greenwich. He has worked for the Food and Agriculture Organization of United Nations, for the International Institute of Social Studies and for the School of Oriental and African Studies. Luca considers himself as a development applied economist, with a research interest in energy, agriculture, nutrition, demography and health. His works mainly focus on sub-Saharan countries.
His recent studies look at the nexus between electricity and malaria in Nigeria and at the impacts mass-media have on fertility outcome of women living in Pakistan.
Rebecca Groen, Director Biofuels, SHV Energy, Vice President Renewable Energy, International DME Association
Rebecca joined SHV Energy in January 2018 to set up and lead a new department to explore, develop & exploit routes for the group to reach its bold ambition. The biofuels department focuses on 5 main activities; scouting for new supply of biofuels (including bioLPG and bioLNG), supporting sustainable feedstock development, researching novel conversion technologies, exploring new product options (including the potential role of renewable DME) and global stakeholder management. Prior to joining SHV Energy, Rebecca worked as Subsea Marketing Director for GE Oil & Gas and ran Business Development at the Biomass & Energy Efficiency unit of the Netherlands renewable energy lab, ECN.
Dr. Keith Simons, Principle Scientist, SHV Energy
Keith joined SHV Energy in February 2019 after a period working on a part time consultancy basis both for the UK based subsidiary (Calor GB) and for SHV Energy. Keith has 30+ years of continuous advancement and expertise in international business, sales and marketing, R&D, sustainability and industrial-academic collaboration. Keith is a core team member of the Global Biofuels Team. The Biofuels programme is designed to explore, develop & exploit routes for the group to reach its Bold ambition to source 100% of its energy products from renewable sources by 2040.
Christopher D. Maloney, Global Head, Organics Diversion, Eisenmann Corporation
Mr. Maloney is a senior executive with over 35 years of global corporate management experience in the energy, renewables, water and waste management sectors and currently serves as Global Head of the Organics Diversion Group for Eisenmann Corporation and President of the Integrated Biogas Alliance. He served previously as Chief Executive Officer of The Capernaum Group, Chief Operating Officer of Digested Organics, Board Member & Chairman of CIYCOR’s Energy Group and Chairman & CEO of Amandla International in South Africa. He represents Eisenmann as a member of the World Biogas Association and the American Biogas Council. He holds a BS in Engineering from the University of Illinois and serves on the boards of Prime Quoin and Asia West.
Rebecca Boudreaux, Ph.D.
Trained as a chemist, Rebecca Boudreaux, Ph.D. is an entrepreneurial, technology executive with a unique blend of technical skills and business development expertise. She has served on the management team or Board of Directors of various startup companies in the clean tech, life sciences, high tech, and non-profit sectors. Presently, she is President and Director of Oberon Fuels, a California-based company making DME (dimethyl ether) as pathway to zero-emission mobility and carbon neutrality. In her role at Oberon, Dr. Boudreaux leads the customer development, strategic partnering efforts, and the regulatory and legislative development for the use of DME as a fuel.
Alberto Rocamora Garcia, Bioenergy Europe
Thomas Minter, Director, Malaby Biogas (Ghana)
Thomas is a director of Malaby Biogas, owner & operator of Bore Hill Farm Biodigester. Bringing a developer’s perspective to the AD industry he took the project through concept, design, planning, construction, operation and optimisation.
The Biodigester was built with innovation and education at its heart. Optimisation and R&D increased designed inputs and outputs by 170% using the same AD process equipment. The integrated visitors centre helps inform people on the sustainability benefit of AD.
Bruno Sander Nielsen, COO, Danish Biogas Association
Has worked in biogas since the mid 90’s when the Danish Biogas Association was established. The members are all stakeholders in the biogas sector including biogas producers and users, biomass suppliers and users of digested fertilizers and the whole range of technology and knowledge suppliers. The Danish Biogas Association is primarily focusing on achieving framework conditions that promote production and use of biogas but also research, knowledge sharing and networking.
Gabriel Kropsch, Vice President, Abiogas Brazilian Biogas Association
Gabriel Kropsch has been the vice president of ABiogás since 2013. He holds a degree in Business Administration from PUC – RJ, obtained his MBA from UFRJ and attended the OPM Program at Harvard Business School. After working at Tramp Oil Brasil and TOBras Distribuidora (Terrana), Gabriel focused on the bioenergy and gas area and currently works for Acesa Bionergia and Aspro Serviços in executive positions. In addition, he is a partner at NPR Gestão de Recursos.
Percy Foster, CEO, Cré – Composting and Anaerobic Digestion Association of Ireland
Percy Foster has over 19 years experience in the organic waste sector in Ireland, Europe and United Arab Emirates. As CEO for Cré- Composting and Anaerobic Digestion Association of Ireland from 2006 to the present, Percy has coordinated and managed the activities of the association, representing the composting and anaerobic digestion industry at Government and European level. On a European level is chair of the European Compost Network Animal By Products Group and is a former Board of the European Compost Network.
Robert DiDiodato, Business Development, Anessa
Mr. DiDiodato leads anessa’s business development and sales teams who are tasked with providing solutions for customers that will exceed their expectations. He is an entrepreneur who has founded technology firms and held senior management roles in multiple firms for over 25 years. Mr. DiDiodato holds Bachelor degrees in Science and Education and has extensive experience developing B2B models, partnerships, and teams in both domestic and international markets that have led to high growth and deep market penetration. He is a strategic thinker, resourceful and deeply passionate about green energy and sustainability of green solutions.”
Alex Marshall, Group Marketing and Compliance Director, Clarke Energy
Alex has worked in anaerobic digestion related roles for 17 years. Alex’s technical experience includes biogas engines, biogas upgraders, mechanical biological treatment, co-fermentation and agricultural biogas. He is a Fellow of the Chartered Institution of Wastes Management. Alex works closely with the UK’s Department for International trade as a “Northern Powerhouse Export Champion”. Alex was invited to join Prime Minister Theresa May’s 2018 visit to Africa championing UK renewable energy capabilities.
Martin Steiner, Director, Senior Engineer, Senior Consultant, TBU Environment Consultants
28 years foreign working experience as consulting engineer for all issues related to solid waste management. Extensive consultancy experience – on Strategy, Conceptual Design, Build and Operation – in the Solid Waste Sector, both in ´advanced´ and ´starting´ (low to middle income) countries throughout Europe, the Middle East, and Australasia.
Martin is highly regarded as an engineer who looks beyond the technical issues having acquired profound experience in institutional and socio-economic issues.
25 year experience in design and up-grading of collection and transport schemes (transfer included), recycling programmes and final treatment (with focus on MBT Mechanical & Biological Waste Treatment: optimisation of existing, design of new facilities).
Rafael González, CEO, Cibiogas, Brazil
Rafael González is an Environmental Engineer and is taking a Master’s in Environmental Engineering and Technology from the Federal University of Paraná (UFPR). For over 10 years he has been working in taking on and managing renewable energy projects.
He participated in the development of the Business Plan and organization of the International Center for Renewable Energy, CIBiogás, in 2012. In 2016 he became Director of Technological Development and in 2020 he became President of CIBiogás, conducting strategic projects and business consolidation.
He is currently an adviser of the Brazilian Association of Biogas (ABiogás) and member of the Board of Directors of the GEF/Brazil Project- Biogas applications for the Brazilian agro-industry.
Suad Al-Hosni, Lead Biogas Specialist, Strategic Development Sector, Sultanate of Oman
An expert of Biogas implementations and bioenergy projects with a Master degree in Process Engineering and currently a PhD student of Mechanical Engineering – Germany, studying the opportunities and challenges of Bioenergy implementation in Oman. Currently, leading the biogas implementation strategy and Biowaste management at Oman Environmental Service Co. “ be’ah”.
Mohamed Bernannou, Adviser to the Minister of Energy, Kingdom of Morocco
Susanne Lindeneg, Special Consultant, Resources and Waste Management Copenhagen City
Ole Hvelplund, Nature Energy
Jorge Hilbert, Professional Consultant, National Agricultural Technology Institute, INTA (Argentina)
Ricardo Castro, Research Director, Ecoparc of Abrunheira, Tratolixo , Portugal
Bernat Chiula Peris, Director of Analysis and Research, Genia Energia, Spain
