The Institute
About Us
The Green Enterprise Institute is a London-based, student-run non-profit organization. It believes that, in the course of the next century, businesses will either catalyse a paradigm shift towards restoring the harmony between humankind and planet earth, or perpetrate its irreversible degradation through carbon emissions. Our mission is to accelerate the transition to a carbon neutral, climate resilient world by providing a global platform for stakeholders at the intersection between enterprise and the environment. To this end, we also aim to provide in-house support to business transitioning their firms and to educators preparing the next generation of Green entrepreneurs. Midway through a period of rapid expansion, we are onboarding passionate and talented team members, here.
Past climate discourse has centred on the link between emissions and global warming, the environmental consequences of warming trajectories, and the need for collective action. The 1997 Kyoto protocol and 2015 Paris agreement were significant steps towards carbon neutrality but are only part of the solution. More recently, “new wave” environmental activism has advanced calls of immediate action and brought environmental discussion to the world stage. While all this is positive, the status quo of many of the world’s most powerful companies has not changed in regard to the climate.
We believe that the only worthwhile future is one which has severed its economic dependence on fossil fuels. A widespread accusation against enterprise is that of driving carbon emissions and environmental destruction. This may be partly true at present, but it is not clear that this environmental disregard is structurally built into the system. Market systems, it has been observed, also have the capacity to mitigate environmental damage and adapt to future change. They may even be our most vital tool to drive the rapid decarbonisation of the twenty-first century. But setting them up to do so requires understanding them in terms of shared value. Rather than black and white, they are highly intricate structures, which interact with every element of society. Accordingly, carbon-neutralisation is a multifaceted problem which requires deep interdisciplinary understanding between many fields.
Environmentalist James Speth urges us to “look beyond the world of practical affairs to those who are thinking unconventional thoughts and proposing transformative change.” The next step forward in the environmental arena will take place at the intersection between environmental science (chemistry, meteorology, biology) and enterprise (economics, finance, management). Moreover, the status quo is only challenged at the overlap between the disciplined rigor of academia and the unobstructed creativity of unconventional thought. Finally, progress requires wide implementation as well as in-depth research. The Green Enterprise Institute is the platform where these intersections can take place.
Figure: A diagram representing GEI’s envisioned position in the future sustainable development landscape. Adapted from Pereno et al. (2020) (DOI: 10.1016/j.futures.2020.102605)
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Towards a Decarbonised World: The What and Why of Carbon Trading
Green Bonds: Challenges, Opportunities, and Their Precarious Place in a Sustainable Future
The Plight of ESGs: the Decarbonization Dream Delayed
Factory Farming, Agriculture, and Climate Change: The Economics and The Heart of It
The Climate Crisis of the 21st Century
Macroeconomic Implications and Policy Responses
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Our Team
Executive Office
Leonard Alf (Director and CEO)
Beyond studying Philosophy, Politics, and Economics BSc. at King’s College London, Leonard is the Founding Director of The Green Enterprise Institute, a Research Intern at Oxford University’s Net Zero Initiative, member of the Decentralised Finance task-force for Si-Yo Music Society Foundation Inc., founder of Alf Green Enterprises PBC and co-founder of FiddleCoin Inc. – a London-based technology startup specialising in blockchain applications in the Fine Stringed Instrument world. You can find out more on his professional website, www.leonardalf.com.
Matthieu Nerisson (Systemic Growth Manager)
Born in the South of France, Matthieu has always lived on the French Riviera, near the coastal city of Antibes. Matthieu studied the French OIB at the CIV, in Sophia Antipolis. After studying advanced sciences, he decided to move to the UK to pursue a Bachelor’s degree in London. Currently in my second year of BSc (Hons) Business Management, Matthieu’s career ambition is to work in consulting in the mobility and automotive industry.Matthieu previously worked on environmental matters both on a personal and scholar level through notably organising sensitisation campaigns, building a mobility start-up, designing local recycling agreements.
Operations
Kshitija Mishra (Chief Operating Officer)
Kshitija Mishra is an International Management postgraduate from King’s College London. I haves a background in history and a passion for sustainability and culture. With GEI, she wished to be instrumental in creating a more sustainable, inclusive, and equitable future for all of us through culturally conscious education and awareness. Her experience includes being “Green Impact Environmental Auditor” and “Education for Sustainable Development Auditor” along with being “Volunteer teacher and Manager at School for Special Children”. She has a deep interest in spirituality and ancient mythology; and aspire to build a tomorrow that essences a globalised outlook but has its roots in local, contextual wisdom and realities.
Alice Yu (Operations Coordinator)
Alice is a student at Cornell University majoring in Global and Public Health Sciences with minors in Business and Health Policy. She is passionate about sustainability and social impact, and continues to explore a career where both of her interests are intertwined.
Inès Lepeu (Energy research coordinator)
Ines is a third-year Environmental policy with economics student at the London School of Economics and a Research Intern within the Energy, Growth, and Security (EGS) program at the International Tax and Investment Center , where her research is concentrated in international issues covering development, security, energy, geopolitics, and investment . She plans to begin a career working towards an efficient energy transition.
Kathryn Pereira (Coordinator – Policy)
Kathryn is a BA Philosophy, Politics and Economics student at King’s College London and a student researcher at the KCL Policy Research Centre for Global Economic Policy. Growing up in Asia, Kathryn’s interests lie in fields such as international relations, law, political economy, as she aspires to catalyse environmental sustainability and change in her future endeavours. In the past, Kathryn has helped with research analysis and business development in a Hong-Kong based NGO – Sensational Foundation – focused on creating opportunities for people with different abilities.
Outreach
Raluca Tancu (Head of Marketing)
Raluca Gratiana Tancu is a final-year Business Management, Digital Innovation and Entrepreneurship student at Bayes Business School. She is the most passionate about marketing and how it improves the performance of an organisation. She has sought several opportunities to further develop her skills. She is currently the Head of Communications of ESN City London. Formerly, she was an international marketing assistant for her university. A great team player and planner. She is fluent in English, Romanian, and advanced in French.
Julia Youjia Hoffmann (Content Coordinator)
Julia Hoffmann is a second-year International Relations student at King’s College London. Because of her interest in politics, international relations, and the social sciences, she has sought out opportunities to engage in these fields throught her extensive educational and volunteering background. This includes writing political commentary for various school publications, participating in Model United Nations and working with political campaigns.
At the Green Enterprise Institute, she hopes to work along the team to do my part in fighting climate change.
Ziyi Zhou
Nouha is a second-year student BA in Politics, Philosophy, Economics (PPE) at King’s College Student. She is currently part of an exchange program with the University of California San Diego (UCSD), where she studies American Politics, Monetary Policies, and Economic theories of Political Behaviour. Her interests lie in a wide range of fields, such as finance, political economy, and international relations. She currently works as a Financial Consultant at 180 Degrees Consulting KCL. As part of her responsibilities, she builds a financial strategy and investment plans to reach her client’s short and long-term financial goals. Nouha was recently an intern for the National Association of Collaborators of Ministers and Members of Parliament of France and worked for two socio-environmental organisations, Kokeo&Buddha Child. Moreover, she has experience in volunteering and team leadership as she was the President of the Board of the charity Hoche Interact Club for three years. She organised at least one humanitarian action per month and was involved in a European convention in which she met the other Presidents of the fellow Interact Club. In addition, she is fluent in English, French, Arabic, and she is a beginner in German and Mandarin
Ziyi Zhou
Ziyi studies BSc. Philosophy, Politics and Economics (PPE) at King’s College London. Previously, he graduated with distinction from a foundation year in International Relation and Politics at KCL. He is also a PPE student representative at the Department of Political Economy and Joint Honour Student Representative at the Department of Philosophy. His research interests feature international relations and politics, focusing on international development, international organizations, security and peacekeeping. A skilled project manager, he is fluent in Mandarin, Cantonese, and English.
Administration
Irini Spyrou (HR Lead)
Irini is a second-year student at Sciences Po Paris, majoring in “Politics and Government”, within a programme dedicated to Euro-American relations. As her main interests lie within the legal domain, she wishes to raise awareness around the relationship between ecology, inequality, and human rights. Having been raised in Brussels, and with her fluency in English, French, Greek and Spanish, Irini strives to promote intra-state consciousness and cooperation in relation to protecting the climate.
Media
Eunis Cheung (Social Media Lead)
Eunis is a student at King’s College London studying Culture, Media and Creative Industries. She is interested in video production and media spaces, including how social media channels are able to reel in a new and engaged audience. With personal experiences in digital media such as a YouTube channel and a podcast, she is knowledgeable about the ins and outs of media production. Fluent in English, French, Mandarin and Cantonese, she is a skilled team player and experienced in iMovie and Final Cut Pro X.
Chiara Lübking (Research Intern and Media Assistant)
Chiara is currently a second-year Economics student at the University College London (UCL). Growing up in Brussels, in the centre of EU politics, she showed an interest in economics and politics from a young age. Participation in programs such as MUN and Policy Competitions has only furthered her interests. Her main interests lie in macroeconomic policy.
Research
Kester Ratcliff
Kester is a driven individual with experience working in environmental policy during my time at The Zoological Society of London, King’s Think Tank and Greenpeace. Having cemented an interest in environmental policy during my time at Greenpeace and at university, Kester started an MSc degree in Environment, Politics and Development at King’s College London to further deepen my knowledge. Kester has a strong interest in environmental policy including ESG policy, zero-carbon policy and environmental management policy.
Corentin Maffei
Corentin is a 3rd year student of both social sciences at Sciences Po Paris and mathematics at Sorbonne Université. He employs his two trainings in the economic evaluation of public policies via an internship at LIEPP, in the organization of scientific workshops via the presidency of a club for UNESCO and in the fight against fuel poverty via a civic program at the French Red Cross. He aims to promote the research on the science-society relationship and its integration into the broader sustainability agenda.
Pablo Mínguez Romero (Finance Research Intern)
A 2nd year BA Philosophy, Politics & Economics (PPE) student at King’s College London. His main interests are Political Economy and reform within the financial system. Outside of academia, he is an opinion writer for KCL’s award-winning tabloid Roar News. He is fluent in English, Spanish and currently learning catalan
Axel Bullo (Law Coordinator)
Axel studies Law at Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne. His interests lie in integrating ecology and economic growth with Law. An effective communicator, project manager, and writer from his multi-year MUN experience in Venice Italy, his involvement with the Italian newspaper «la Repubblica» and, more recently, his work at the Centre des Monuments Nationaux (CMN). Proficient in multiple languages – including French, Italian, and English – Axel’s academic achievements include a double bi-national French-Italian degree, both with distinction, from M. Foscarini in Venice, Italy.
Irini Spyrou (Research Intern)
Irini is a second-year student at Sciences Po Paris, majoring in “Politics and Government”, within a programme dedicated to Euro-American relations. As her main interests lie within the legal domain, she wishes to raise awareness around the relationship between ecology, inequality, and human rights. Having been raised in Brussels, and with her fluency in English, French, Greek and Spanish, Irini strives to promote intra-state consciousness and cooperation in relation to protecting the climate.
Qurratu Aini Binti Hashim (Healthcare Coordinator)
Beyond studying MBBS Medicine at King’s College London, Aini dabbles in multifarious fields including entrepreneurship at iCUBE International, engineering with Young Malaysian Engineers, international relations at Malaysia Link UK, and novel therapy research with KCL iGEM. She is interested in exploring the relationships of these fields with healthcare – alongside integration of sustainability within international healthcare systems – and was first exposed to environmentally sustainable healthcare through the Planetary Health Report Card (PHRC).
Vidisha Handoo (Healthcare Coordinator)
Beyond studying Medicine MBBS at King’s College London, Vidisha enjoys indulging in projects centered around academia, research, and reducing inequalities in healthcare. Most recently, she has led 20+ cases as a Patient Outreach Volunteer at KPCF, helping families across India respond to the COVID-19 crisis by procuring resources hospital beds, oxygen concentrators, food, and free doctor consultations (through government officials, hospitals, pharmacies and help lines). She has featured as a guest speaker on a Spotify podcast ‘It starts with Action’, where she discussed the importance of looking after one’s mental health and the impact of lockdown on students.
Karussell Robinson (Administrative Assistant)
Karussell is a first year studying Politics, Philosophy and Economics at King’s College London. Having cultivated a great interest in macroeconomics, public choice and governance, she plans to transcribe her studies into working towards a more sustainable future with GEI. Prior to University, she studied 5 A-Levels achieving A*A*A*AA. Named after the Karussell on the Nurburgring racetrack, she is a huge fan of Formula 1 with aspirations to work in the industry at the vanguard of transitioning to more environmentally conscious operations.
Our Advisors
Dr. Jake Lomax
Dr. David Pencheon
Simon Scherpke
Advisory Board
Eva Lerner-Lam
Founder and President at Palisades Consulting Group Inc.
Partners & Collaborators
