Carbon Conversations

Michael is the Head of Sustainability and Social Impact (APAC) for Burson. Working across all sectors, he combines a science-based technical approach with strategic development and creativity to drive tangible sustainability outcomes for Burson clients.
Michael has 11+ years in the environmental sustainability sector, working with listed and non-listed companies across a range of sectors, including energy, health, manufacturing, commercial offices, financial and professional services and technology to help measure, reduce and report on their environmental and social impact, with the ultimate goal of helping companies shift toward a regenerative future and meeting increasingly demanding regulatory and voluntary disclosure frameworks.
Michael holds a Bachelor in Environment Science from Australian Catholic University, that was specifically focused on the understanding the science of ecological impacts on water quality, aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems through human activities and the appropriate management regimes to address those impacts.
Michael also holds a post-Graduate Diploma Degree in Science Communication from Australian National University, where he worked with Australia's national science agency –the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) driving communication programs.
Michael is a registered B Consultant helping companies achieve their BCorp Certification – demonstrating a company is a ‘force of good.
Michael is a registered consultant under the IFRS Sustainability Consultant Content Programme. As a result, clients benefit from timely, expert-informed guidance aligned with the latest IFRS and ISSB sustainability standards, helping them stay ahead in ESG reporting and decision-making.
Michael also holds certifications in ‘Valuing nature and people to inform business decision-making’ administered by the Capitals Coalition and ‘Circular Economy – Sustainable Materials Management’ administered by Lund University.
Michael is registered Climate Active consultant and can help companies achieve certified carbon neutrality under the Australian Federal Government’s carbon neutral standard – Climate Active. However, as this certification is built off international standards, Michael can take this experience and apply it at a global scale.

Alain Mahieu is a sustainability and energy transition leader within Singtel’s AI infrastructure division, where he supports the development of AI-ready, sustainable, low-carbon data centres across the Asia-Pacific region. His work covers the full sustainability agenda for digital infrastructure, including green energy integration, power resilience, carbon management, and resource efficiency across energy, water, and materials, with initiatives including the Singapore–Johor Special Economic Zone (SEZ). In parallel, Alain actively contributes to the Greenhouse Gas Protocol (GHGP), the world’s leading global standard for corporate greenhouse gas accounting, supporting the development and application of methodologies used by companies, investors, and regulators worldwide. His work focuses on the Scope 2 Technical Working Group, shaping guidance on electricity-related emissions that is particularly critical for data centres and other energy-intensive industries. Previously, Alain worked at ENGIE, supporting large energy users and infrastructure operators on sustainability-driven decarbonisation, renewable energy sourcing, and long-term energy transition strategies.

Laura Besley is a senior sustainability leader with more than 16 years of experience shaping and delivering sustainability strategies across sectors, including manufacturing, finance, telecommunications, real estate, and food and beverage. She has led high-impact programs spanning climate reporting, modern slavery, and community engagement, supported by deep technical expertise in frameworks such as NGERS, DJSI, ISSB/ASSB, GRI, and UNPRI. Known for her pragmatic and values-driven approach, Laura has built a reputation for helping organisations navigate complex sustainability challenges while achieving measurable, meaningful outcomes.

Simon comes from a project development background and is a respected technical expert with 15+ years of experience in developing and implementing CDR standards and methodologies. He has led and participated in teams to develop Verra's VM0044 Biochar methodology, both Isometric and Puro's Enhanced Rock Weathering methodologies and now new standards for both BECCS and DACCS, commissioned by the UK government. 
Simon is now Director of CDR for Sylvera, where he leads their team delivering data, assessments and insights to key stakeholders in the voluntary carbon market.

Dr. David Hughes serves as the Dorothy Foehr Huck and J. Lloyd Huck Chair in Global Food Security at Penn State University, where he also holds professorships in entomology and biology. As the founder of PlantVillage, a Penn State initiative, Dr. Hughes leads efforts to enhance global food security by integrating artificial intelligence, mobile technology, and community networks. PlantVillage empowers smallholder farmers across Africa, Asia, and the Americas to combat pests and adapt to climate change by leveraging AI-driven tools and youth-led ground networks.
Building upon this mission, Dr. Hughes established PlantVillage+, a private enterprise partially owned by Penn State. This venture aims to alleviate poverty and address climate change by offering paid services to farmers, corporations, and governments, while continuing to support public AI research. Notably, PlantVillage+ allocates 30% of its profits to workers and farmers, 10% to its charitable arm—the Village Youth Fund—and 5% to assist governments in accessing advanced technologies and AI solutions.
Dr. Hughes also directs the USAID Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Current and Emerging Threats to Crops, focusing on developing scalable solutions for agricultural challenges. His pioneering research on parasite-host interactions, including the renowned "zombie ant" studies, has garnered international acclaim and media attention.
For those interested in exploring themes related to science, innovation, and socio-economic systems, Dr. Hughes recommends the following readings:

Letters to a Young Scientist by Edward O. Wilson: https://www.amazon.com/Letters-Young-Scientist-Edward-Wilson/dp/0871403773

The Big Con by Mariana Mazzucato:  https://marianamazzucato.com/books/the-big-con/

Vulture Capitalism by Grace Blakeley:  https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Vulture-Capitalism/Grace-Blakeley/9781982180867