Meet the Speakers: The Nature-Based Solutions Summit @ LCAW

At Sustainability LIVE: The Leadership Summit at London Climate Action Week, leaders will come together to discuss strategies for prioritising nature and biodiversity within their operations and supply chains.

Senior executives will speak on The Nature-Based Solutions Summit panel, in association with Shell, to share insights for best practices across sectors.

The panel will explore how nature-based solutions are gaining momentum as a lever for climate mitigation and adaptation.

This is an exclusive event and those interested in attending can register their interest now.

About the event

Sustainability LIVE @ London Climate Action Week - The Leadership Summit is a one-day event designed for senior sustainability executives at the forefront of climate strategy.

The conference is set to deliver the insights, connections and solutions needed to accelerate progress towards net zero.

The Nature-Based Solutions Summit, in association with Shell, will take place at 12:15-13:00 (BST) in the ThinkTank at CodeNode London.

The session will explore how businesses can integrate biodiversity restoration, carbon sequestration and ecosystem protection into their sustainability strategies. 

Attendees will hear about innovative financing models, scalable projects and collaborative approaches that balance environmental stewardship with measurable impact.

Shell’s work on nature-based solutions

Shell has set a target to become a net zero emissions energy business by 2050, in line with the 1.5 C limit set out in the Paris Agreement.

It is investing in nature-based solutions to protect and enhance natural ecosystems, as well as using carbon credits to help customers decarbonise.

Through its projects, Shell is aiming to capture carbon dioxide emissions,  benefit local communities and improve biodiversity.

Wael Sawan, CEO of Shell, says: “We are investing in protecting and restoring natural ecosystems, including forests, which absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere through the natural process of photosynthesis.

“I believe that investing in restoring and protecting forests, grasslands and wetlands – in addition to the other steps we are taking to avoid and reduce emissions – will help us achieve net zero emissions by 2050 in step with society, and have a lasting positive impact on the way land is used, today and in the future.”

Janneke Abels, VP of Nature-Based Solutions, Shell

Janneke has been with Shell for more than 23 years, joining in 2002 as a Business Analyst.

Since then, she has worked in Finance, Group Planning, Decarbonisation and Low Carbon Solutions.

She took on her current role as VP Nature-Based Solutions in December 2025, where she works on financing projects to protect ecosystems and capture emissions.

Janneke says on LinkedIn that she is “passionate about creating businesses where people and the planet benefit”.

She describes herself as a “strong finance and business development professional who loves creating a culture where people can be at their best”.

Derrick Emsley, CEO, veritree

In 2021, Derrick co-founded veritree, which is a platform for businesses to invest in tangible nature restoration.

He also co-founded lifestyle apparel company tentree in 2012, which plants ten trees for every item purchased from the company.

Derrick has almost 20 years of experience in nature-based solutions and climate action.

He writes on LinkedIn: “Over the past decade, building tentree and veritree, we’ve seen firsthand that when you invest in verified impact, it’s not just the planet that benefits, it’s the business too.”

Smruti Naik-Jones, EMEA Chief Sustainability Officer, Deloitte

Smruti has worked at Deloitte for almost 20 years, joining in 2006 as a Senior Knowledge Manager - Public Sector.

She recently took on the role of EMEA Chief Sustainability Officer in the company’s June 2026 restructure.

Smruti said on LinkedIn: “Today, we hit a new milestone coming together as Deloitte EMEA and an exciting new chapter for me as EMEA Chief Sustainability Officer.

“We are at a pivotal moment in an important region. My priority for Deloitte EMEA is to play a leading role in helping drive this transition to a sustainable future.”

Register your interest here.