Arianna Manili contributes to Planet Tracker’s activities with analysis of global policy and regulatory trends and engagement with key relevant global political platforms and convenings. She brings her cross-border experience from her activities at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation and the Russian consulting company Schneider Group.

Richard Folland has been Carbon Tracker’s policy and government affairs adviser since 2014 and in 2023 joined as the Head of Policy and Engagement. Richard has over 30 years’ experience as a diplomat and advocate, operating at the highest level, based in Europe and elsewhere. He has worked on the climate and energy agenda, as a policymaker and as a private sector advisor, for 15 years. A former head of international energy policy at the UK Foreign Office, Richard has also been JPMorgan’s European Advisor on Energy and Climate Change, the Executive Director of the Climate Markets and Investment Association (CMIA), and the Head of Energy and Environment at Inline Policy. He was Co-Founder of the strategic advisory firm, Sustineri, working with institutional investors on climate and sustainability issues.

Vijay Bains is the Group Head of ESG, Chief Sustainability Officer for Emirates NBD Group and leads the Sustainability strategy and implementation across the Emirates NBD Group.

Vijay is responsible for the Sustainable & Transition Finance Strategy & Implementation for the Emirates NBD Group, as well as implementation of Environmental, Social, and Governance programmes.

Vijay has worked in Sustainability for 20 years across Banking for the European Bank of Reconstruction & Development, Lloyds Banking Group, as well as working in consulting for KPMG UK in Sustainable Finance & ESG Strategy.

Vijay has extensive experience of Sustainable Finance framework design, due diligence, and sustainability risk management practices.

Vijay is a member of the UAE Banking Federation Sustainability Leadership Council, DIFC Sustainable Finance Council, ADGM Sustainable Finance Leadership Council, World Economic Forum of Sustainability Leaders & member of S & P Sustainability Leadership Council.

Vijay is a Chartered Environmental Scientist

Vijay is a Member of the Royal Geographical Society

Cara Williams, Senior Partner, is Global ESG and Sustainability Leader for Mercer. Located in London, Cara leads the program of work to articulate and amplify Mercer’s ESG value proposition and positioning, embed sustainability in the journey to a bright future, and drive highly-practical, relevant and value-added outcomes both internally and externally. Cara drives strategy for Mercer’s multinational and wealth management clients to deliver the best of Mercer’s broad Wealth solutions to assure positive financial outcomes for organizations, their employees, and their clients. Cara presents regularly on global ESG, sustainability, diversity, and investment trends.

With over 25 years of experience in the investment industry, Cara began at Mercer’s investment consulting business as Global COO in April 2005. Cara began her career in finance as a financial advisor with Merrill Lynch in New York. Prior to working in the investment industry, she was responsible for budgets and logistics for US Army and NATO MWR deployments. Cara is an active mentor for external programs and internal colleagues supporting and promoting women and people of color in their careers. She is member of the Board of Directors of The German School of London.

Cara graduated from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor with a BA, and from The University of Hartford with an MBA in Finance.

Sagarika Chatterjee is a sustainability professional with 15+ years’ experience in climate change and responsible investment. Led the PRI’s global climate change programme and UN-convened Net Zero Asset Owner Alliance secretariat co-head. Launched Glasgow Financial Alliance for Net Zero with COP26 Private Finance Hub while seconded to UNFCCC High-level Champions. From May 2022, UNFCCC Champions Finance Lead and GFANZ secretariat leadership team.

Her board positions have included: Director of the UK Sustainable Investment & Finance Association, Charity investment sub-committee and trustee experience, and UK-China Green Finance Task Force member.

Sonya Likhtman works in EOS, the stewardship and engagement team at Federated Hermes. She focuses primarily on engaging with companies across Asia and emerging markets. She is also an engager for the Biodiversity Equity Fund and the author of a white paper called Our Commitment to Nature. She is currently co-chair of both the Engagement and Public Policy Advocacy working groups within the Finance for Biodiversity Foundation. Previously, Sonya worked as a sustainability consultant in London and Barcelona. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Geography from the University of Cambridge and was a Herchel Smith Scholar at Harvard University, where she worked on the ethics of climate change and related public policy matters. In 2022, Sonya was awarded the Rising Star Award from the International Corporate Governance Network.