Joao SOUSASenior Programme Officer at IUCN (The International Union for Conservation of Nature)

Joao is an experienced Biotechnology engineer with +20 years engineering, biotechnology and project management experience specializing in oil & gas operations, bioenergy, biofuels and biodiversity.

Joao Sousa is a Senior Programme Officer at IUCN (The International Union for Conservation of Nature) where he focuses on Blue Carbon initiatives and collaborative solutions to mitigate plastic waste in the Ocean. This involves coordinating research to inform policy, creating platforms to encourage innovation and sharing of best practices, and cooperating with industry to change behavior. Joao also worked on conservation and mitigation for the Oil and Gas industry in the North Sea (decommissioning platforms), as well as private sector engagement for best practices in the production, extraction and transformation sectors in Mozambique (LNG and minerals).

In the latest 11 years, within the Global Marine Programme, he developed an extensive network and stakeholder forum leading to the development of the “close the Plastic tap“ Programme and projects in circular economy, waste management, plastic debris and waste management policies.

Former experience includes:

• Resource Efficiency
• Pilot Plant Design/Construction/Operation
• Reverse Engineering and debottlenecking processes
• Bioprocessing Technology development
• Innovation, Research & Development
• in food, agriculture and pharmaceutical industries.