As the global conversation around climate action continues to evolve, the health of our oceans has become one of the most urgent and complex challenges facing policymakers, scientists, investors, and businesses alike. At the 7th Annual Sustainability Conference hosted by the Ireland Portugal Business Network, the opening panel will bring together leading voices working at the intersection of science, innovation, and climate justice to explore how collaboration across sectors can accelerate meaningful progress.
Taking place on Tuesday, 17 March at the UE Oriente Green Campus in Lisbon, the conference will centre around this year’s theme, “Ocean – The Blue Economy.” With Ireland and Portugal both deeply connected to the Atlantic, the event offers a timely opportunity to examine how scientific research, responsible investment, and cross-sector partnerships can support the protection and sustainable use of ocean resources.
Held in partnership with the Ethical Assembly, the first panel discussion will focus on science-driven innovation and ocean climate justice. The conversation will explore how new approaches in research, technology, and impact investing can strengthen marine conservation efforts while ensuring solutions are equitable, inclusive, and economically viable.
Moderating the discussion will be Patricia Imbarus, founder of the Ethical Assembly and a climate and sustainability strategist whose work focuses on systems change and cross-sector collaboration. Through her organisation and consultancy, Patricia has spent more than a decade working internationally at the intersection of environmental stewardship, social innovation, policy, and investment. Since launching the Ethical Assembly in 2019, she has created one of Europe’s leading independent platforms for climate leadership, bringing together policymakers, scientists, entrepreneurs, financiers, and civil society organisations to explore the interconnections between environmental sustainability and social justice. Her work focuses on breaking down silos between sectors and fostering the kinds of partnerships that can accelerate a fair and effective green transition.
Joining Patricia on the panel will be Christopher Storey, Global Partnerships Manager with Sea Shepherd Global and a leading advocate for marine conservation initiatives. Christopher brings extensive experience in building strategic alliances across the environmental sector, working with NGOs, startups, and influential stakeholders to drive impactful ocean protection campaigns. His work focuses on forging collaborations that translate awareness into action, helping mobilise resources and networks around the urgent need to protect marine ecosystems. Christopher is also the co-founder of GhostNetwork, a social enterprise dedicated to removing ghost nets from coastlines and transforming them into circular products, demonstrating how environmental innovation can simultaneously protect marine life and create sustainable economic opportunities.
The panel will also feature André Almeida Santos, Partner at Indico Capital Partners, where he leads sustainability and impact initiatives and drives Blue Economy investment strategies across Europe. André brings more than 25 years of international experience spanning private sector leadership, development finance institutions, and academic research. His work focuses on responsible investment and the role of venture capital in supporting sustainable innovation. In particular, he explores how capital can be mobilised to preserve ocean health while fostering inclusive economic development. Throughout his career, André has worked with governments, financial institutions, and international organisations to design long-term strategies for green growth, natural capital protection, and ecosystem services. He is also deeply committed to mentoring impact-driven entrepreneurs and supporting ventures that seek to align financial performance with social and environmental outcomes.
Together, these speakers represent three powerful perspectives shaping the future of ocean sustainability: scientific and environmental leadership, impact-driven investment, and systems-level climate strategy. Their discussion will examine how evidence-based research, innovative partnerships, and responsible capital can work together to protect ocean ecosystems while creating new opportunities for sustainable economic development.
A central theme of the conversation will be ocean climate justice—recognising that the impacts of environmental change are not distributed equally and that solutions must consider both ecological resilience and social equity. From marine conservation campaigns and circular innovation to venture investment in Blue Economy technologies, the panel will explore how collaborative approaches can unlock scalable solutions.
The discussion also reflects a broader ambition shared by Ireland and Portugal. Both nations possess long maritime traditions and deep cultural and economic ties to the Atlantic. By bringing together experts from across disciplines and geographies, the IPBN Sustainability Conference aims to strengthen dialogue and cooperation between the two countries as they navigate the challenges and opportunities presented by the Blue Economy.
As the first conversation of the day, the science and innovation panel will set the tone for the broader conference programme—highlighting the importance of integrating knowledge, investment, and action in the pursuit of sustainable ocean stewardship.
Participants attending the event will have the opportunity not only to hear from leading experts but also to engage with a diverse community of entrepreneurs, researchers, policymakers, and business leaders working toward a more sustainable future.
With ocean health increasingly recognised as central to climate resilience, economic prosperity, and global wellbeing, the conversation promises to be both timely and forward-looking—exploring how science, innovation, and collaboration can shape the next chapter of the Blue Economy.
