Dr Fernando Barrio, Reader in Sustainable Business Law and Policy and Co-Director of the Centre for Environmental Change and Communities

30 June 2026

Congratulations on being named in the ENDS Power List 2026. What does this recognition mean to you? 

It is a very meaningful recognition, and I feel genuinely honoured by it. I am originally from Argentina, and much of my work has been shaped by experiences across different countries, institutions and disciplines, so to be recognised in the UK environmental sector is something I do not take for granted. It is also a recognition of the value of working across boundaries, between law, technology, climate change, business and public policy.  

Professionally, it is encouraging because the areas I work on are not always easy to place in a single box, and one can suffer from not being a single topic specialist. Environmental challenges cannot be solved only by environmental science, or by law, or by business, or by technology. They require all of these fields to speak to one another. For me, being included in the ENDS Power List as academic, where usually environmental science colleagues are included, is a sign that this kind of interdisciplinary work is becoming more visible and more necessary.  

You have represented Queen Mary at UN Climate Change Conferences for several years. What stands out from that experience? 

One of the most rewarding aspects has been seeing Queen Mary's presence at COP evolve. What began as participation led by individual academics has become a more coordinated and interdisciplinary contribution, bringing together expertise from across the University. 

I am particularly proud of Queen Mary's engagement with the UNFCCC Technology Executive Committee and our contributions to discussions around digital technologies, artificial intelligence, and climate action. Universities can bring independent expertise, critical thinking and a long-term perspective to international climate policy, and Queen Mary has an important role to play in those conversations. 

That evolution is important because COP should not be seen as a one-off event. It is part of a much longer cycle of research, policy influence, partnerships, teaching and public engagement. The value of Queen Mary’s presence lies not only in being in the room, but in what we bring back to our students, our research community, our partners and wider society. 

Your work focuses on climate change and emerging technologies. What opportunities and challenges do you see ahead? 

Digital technologies and AI can help improve energy systems, monitor emissions, strengthen climate reporting, and support climate adaptation through tools such as early warning systems and risk mapping. 

At the same time, these technologies raise important questions about governance, accountability, energy consumption and inequality. One of the key challenges over the next decade will be ensuring that technological innovation contributes to sustainability in ways that are fair, transparent and effective. 

Can you tell us a little about your journey to Queen Mary? 

I was born and began my professional life in Argentina, where I studied International Relations and worked in public policy and academia. I later completed my PhD in Japan, an experience that gave me a strong international perspective on law, technology and governance. 

My academic career has taken me across several countries, including the UK, the US, France and Thailand, before I joined Queen Mary in 2018. Queen Mary has allowed me to bring together the different strands of my work: law, technology, sustainability, business and international policy, and continues to be an important part of my academic journey. 

While based in the UK, I maintain strong links with Latin America through collaborations in Argentina and Mexico, alongside projects and partnerships across Africa, Asia, Europe and Australia. Those international connections shape my belief that climate and technology governance must include diverse perspectives and voices from around the world. 

Do you have any interests outside of work? 

I am a certified scuba diving instructor, and spending time underwater has had a significant influence on how I think about environmental protection. 

Diving provides a direct understanding of the fragility and interconnectedness of ecosystems. It reinforces the idea that sustainability is not only an academic or policy issue, but something deeply personal that requires responsibility, care and long-term thinking. 

What advice would you give to colleagues and students who want to contribute to climate action? 

My first advice would be not to think that climate action belongs only to climate specialists. Whatever your discipline or role, there is a way to contribute. Lawyers, economists, engineers, artists, historians, teachers, business students, data scientists, administrators and health professionals all have something to offer. 

Second, I would say that it is necessary to start where you are, but not to stay there. Use your own expertise as an entry point, then collaborate with people who see the problem differently. Climate change is too complex for isolated solutions. We need people who can work across disciplines, sectors, and cultures. 

Third, be ambitious but practical. It is easy to become overwhelmed by the scale of the crisis, but meaningful change often comes from sustained work in institutions, classrooms, research projects, businesses, communities and public policy spaces, being mindful that individual action is seldomly effective and there is a need to strong collective work. 

For students, I would say: learn science, understand politics, question technology and develop the courage to work on difficult problems. For colleagues, I would say: bring climate into your teaching, research, operations and partnerships. Climate action is not a separate agenda. It is becoming part of what responsible education, research, and leadership mean. 

Visit Dr Fernando Barrio's profile page to learn more about his research.