Hello, everyone! I’m Johanna.
I currently live in Düsseldorf, Germany, and I’ll be working remotely until I relocate to the new Bristol office. I’m excited to be joining CO2balance as a Carbon Projects Officer, where my role will involve contributing to projects in Malawi and Eritrea.
Before starting my undergraduate studies, I spent a year living in China, specifically in the south-western city of Kunming, where I enrolled in a language program at Yunnan University. During my time there, I had the opportunity to explore various regions of China, immerse myself in local cultures, learn dialects, and make new friends.
Upon my return from China, I decided to pursue my passion for the Chinese culture and language. I began my bachelor’s program at the University of Exeter, focusing on Business and Management with proficiency in Mandarin. Due to the challenges posed by COVID, I couldn’t complete a year in industry in Shanghai. Instead, I delved into my other interests within the sustainability field, taking courses in areas such as circular economy and innovation for urgent global challenges, which introduced me to the SDGs. One of these modules led me to connect with Professor Gail Whiteman, the founder of Arctic Basecamp, and I later worked part-time as a research assistant for her.
To further explore this field, I applied for an MSc in Global Sustainability Solutions. This year opened my eyes to the interconnectedness of the global challenges we face and the necessity for a community-engagement approach to achieve a just transition.
Consequently, my thesis project focused on user-engagment, collaborating with the climate services department at the Met Office. This really was a full-circle moment, as during my research I connected with a tea expert from Yunnan University, where I had previously studied. The project centred on investigating the climate resilience of tea plantations and reducing the climate vulnerability of smallholder farmers in Yunnan, China.
Overall, I have grown as a researcher and individual during this experience and see the importance of community lead projects. I am excited to be part of a company that focuses on those places most vulnerable to climate change, with a community centred approach, ensuring genuine sustainable development in these areas.
In my free time, I enjoy playing football, skiing and participating in various water sports. Kitesurfing with my family has allowed me to explore different parts of the world and experience various marine environments over the years. Being closely connected to nature through sports, I’ve observed the degradation of marine ecosystems. I’m looking forward to expanding my research into blue carbon projects as a member of the CO2balance team.