The University of Greenwich were proud to partner and attend Blue Earth. The summit was widely praised as transformative, energizing, and action oriented with over 7,000 changemakers, 300+ speakers, and 200+ startups in attendance. It successfully blended climate urgency with cultural vibrancy, creating a space where business, creativity, and community intersected to drive real change.
The Blue Earth Summit showcased humanity’s proactive spirit—bringing together people to share ideas, spark dialogue, foster collaboration, and tackle sustainability challenges both big and small. This year, we were proud to see our very own Greenwich academic, Dr. Alexander Guschanski, contribute to a high-level panel discussion on the transformative potential of wealth taxes in reducing poverty and protecting the planet. His insights added a powerful voice to the Summit’s mission of driving systemic change.
Nearly 50 of our students attended the event, gaining first-hand exposure to the pressing sustainability issues we face and the inspiring, solutions-focused energy that filled the three-day gathering. The vibrant atmosphere and dynamic conversations made it clear: we have the people, the ideas, and the momentum to build a more sustainable future.
University of Greenwich’s PEGFA Shines at Summit 2025 Panel on Climate Policy and Wealth Inequality
The University of Greenwich made a powerful impression at Summit 2025, where over 100 participants gathered for a high-profile panel exploring the intersection of climate policy and wealth inequality. Representing the university’s Centre for Political Economy, Governance, Finance and Accountability (PEGFA), Dr Alexander Guschanski, Associate Professor in Economics, joined leading voices in sustainability and finance to present groundbreaking research.
Dr Guschanski shared the stage with Gianpiero Nacci, Managing Director for Climate Strategy and Delivery at the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), and Constance Chalchat, Chief Sustainability Officer at BNP Paribas Global Markets. The panel focused on innovative fiscal strategies to address climate change while promoting economic equity.
Dr Guschanski presented new research co-authored with Dr Rafael Wildauer and funded by the Hans-Boeckler Foundation, examining how progressive wealth taxes could serve as a dual-purpose tool for climate mitigation and reducing inequality. Drawing on data from 22 European countries, the study found that a progressive annual wealth tax could reduce CO₂ emissions by up to 14.7% over ten years, primarily by curbing wealth concentration and targeting high-net-worth households responsible for a disproportionate share of emissions.
“Our findings show that smart fiscal policy can be a powerful lever for both climate action and social justice,” said Dr Guschanski. “By addressing wealth inequality, we can also tackle the root causes of excessive emissions.”
The panel underscored the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration and evidence-based policymaking in shaping a sustainable and equitable future. PEGFA’s contribution highlighted the University of Greenwich’s growing influence in global economic and environmental discourse.
Spotlight on Innovation: Reflections from the Blue Earth Summit
Nuray Tanis, Head of Innovation and Growth Services at Innovate UK Business Growth Team, shared her inspiring experience at the Blue Earth Summit:
“Blue Earth Summit is a place where innovation truly aligns with genuine purpose.”
Representing the Innovate UK Business Growth team within the University of Greenwich, Nuray connected with a wide range of impactful organisations, sparking meaningful conversations and quickly following up on promising leads. She described the summit as a vibrant space filled with energy, spontaneous dialogue, and a shared commitment to real change.
Panels and discussions led by changemakers and sustainability leaders left a lasting impression, reinforcing the importance of regenerative innovation and purpose-driven growth.
Student Engagement: A Day of Inspiration and Innovation
A group of eight students from the University of Greenwich, joined by peers from a local school, had the privilege of attending the Blue Earth Summit, courtesy of the Berkeley Group.
The day began at Berkeley’s Project Office, where the group was welcomed by Linley Lewis, co-founder of the summit. Linley provided an insightful overview before leading a guided tour of the event.
Highlights included:
- A powerful talk by Sian Sutherland, co-founder of A Plastic Planet, who showcased sustainable innovations like biodegradable trainers made from cellulose—a natural material that decomposes in months, unlike plastic which can persist for millennia.
- Brief introductions to inspiring changemakers:
- Dominique Palmer – Award-winning Climate Justice Advocate, emphasizing youth-led climate action.
- Kalpana Arias – Urban greening activist and founder of Nowadays on Earth, exploring the intersection of ecology and technology.
Student Engagement: A Student’s Perspective on Sustainability and Innovation
Bogdan Cojocaru, a student from the University of Greenwich, shares his inspiring experience at the Blue Earth Summit in London — a dynamic three-day event uniting climate leaders, innovators, investors, and campaigners to tackle global environmental challenges.
Keynote speakers like Alastair Campbell, Sir Steve Redgrave CBE, Deborah Meaden, and Alex Beasley emphasized the evolving role of leadership in promoting empathy, responsibility, and purpose beyond profit.
Bogdan engaged with sustainability advocates and entrepreneurs, including the Royal Voluntary Service, which unveiled a new app to encourage youth participation in knowledge-based volunteering.
“Sustainability is not just about protecting the planet — it’s about enhancing lives, building communities, and advancing humanity.”
Representing the University, Bogdan left the summit inspired to contribute to a more compassionate and sustainable future.
Blue Earth Summit 2025 was more than an event—it was a call to action. It left attendees with renewed hope, practical tools, and a sense of shared responsibility to build a regenerative future.
