Dr Angela Gao

The University of Sussex Business School is delighted to announce the launch of the Sustainability and AI Business Action Centre, a groundbreaking initiative aimed at providing actionable sustainability solutions for businesses globally. This new Centre, inaugurated during a well-attended virtual event featuring global experts, is set to become a key player in integrating artificial intelligence (AI) with sustainable business practices across various sectors.

Speakers at the launch highlighted the Centre’s potential to drive meaningful change by addressing both environmental challenges and business needs. Dr Angela Gao, Lecturer in Accounting and the Founder of the Centre stated:

“Sustainability and AI Business Action Centre is on the mission to establish itself as an online delivery hub, bringing together top professionals in Sustainability and AI through knowledge partnerships. Our goal is to deliver access to business action training and expert consultancy services to industry professionals, all in one platform.

“We aim to empower businesses to adopt sustainable practices without compromising long-term profitability, and to leverage the transformative power of AI to embed sustainability and climate action, optimise processes, enhance decision-making, and maintain a competitive edge in a dynamic environment. Our commitment is to provide these resources in short, actionable formats that are practical and cost-effective for our audience.”

David Carlin, Head of Risk, UN Programme Finance Initiative, and Founder of Cambium Global Solutions, UK emphasised: “AI offers unique opportunities for optimising and enhancing our approach to sustainability.”

Thought leaders from various sectors discussed the potential of AI to transform sustainability practices. Professor Feng Jia, International Union for Conservation of Nature, shared insights on China’s rapid advancements in the new energy vehicle market, while Smitha Hari, President of auctusESG, India, highlighted the increasing importance of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) considerations in emerging markets. Professor Mohan Avvari, Deputy Head Monash University Business School, Malaysia campus, noted the importance of SMEs viewing sustainability as a competitive advantage.

The Sustainability and AI Business Action Centre is poised to deliver significant value to diverse business audiences:

Sustainability and Environmental Management: Companies focused on environmental stewardship, including green technology firms and consultancies, will benefit from the Centre’s innovative approaches to integrating AI into sustainability strategies.

Financial Institutions and ESG Investors: Banks, investment firms, and other financial entities will find the Centre's expertise in sustainable finance invaluable.

Technology Companies: Businesses developing AI, data analytics, or digital twin technologies can apply their innovations to sustainability challenges, with the Centre offering a platform for collaboration and industry-wide advancements.

Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs): SMEs seeking to adopt sustainable practices and integrate AI into their operations, particularly in manufacturing and logistics, will find the Centre’s practical solutions beneficial.

Corporate Strategy and Innovation Teams: Executives responsible for long-term planning and corporate sustainability will find the Centre’s offerings essential for implementing data-driven, actionable, profitable, and environmentally sound solutions.

Consultancy and Advisory Firms: Firms offering sustainability consultancy, ESG advisory services, or AI technology implementation can leverage the Centre’s resources for collaboration and knowledge exchange.

Government and Regulatory Bodies: Public sector organisations and regulators will benefit from the Centre’s research, training, and policy support, aiding the integration of AI into sustainable development initiatives.

Universities and Research Institutions: Those with interests in sustainability, AI, and business innovation will find the Centre aligned with their goals, offering collaboration opportunities to advance academic research.

Get in Touch

The University of Sussex Business School’s Sustainability and AI Business Action Centre is now fully operational, offering consultancy services, training and events designed to push the boundaries of sustainability in business. The Centre invites all interested parties to explore opportunities for collaboration.

For more information, please contact the Centre at the University of Sussex Business School: business-collaborate@sussex.ac.uk

Full list of speakers at the launch event:

Keynote Speaker:

David Carlin Head of Risk, UN Environment Programme Finance Initiative (UNEP FI) and Founder, Cambium Global Solutions, UK

Speakers:

• Dr Angela Ya Gao Founder of Sustainability and AI Business Action Centre, Lecturer in Accounting, University of Sussex Business School, UK
• Professor Feng Jia International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Commission on Education and Communication Member, Guest Professor at College of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Peking University, China
• Professor Hao Chen Fujian Institute of Research on the Structure of Matter, Chinese Academy of Sciences, China
• Smitha Hari President, auctusESG, India
• Professor Mohan Avvari Deputy Head (Engagement and Impact), Monash University business school campus in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
• Labanya Prakash Jena Sustainable Finance Specialist, IEEFA, India
• Dr Ahmed Shawky Managing Director, LevelUp ESG®, UK
• Hara Brar Co-founder, Orbyfy, USA
• Prof. Faiz Shah Executive Director, Yunus Center AIT & Co-director, Professional Masters in ESG, Asian Institute of Technology School of Management, Thailand; Professor, SE Development & Innovation, Albukhary International University, Malaysia; President, Yunus Thailand Foundation
• Ms Teh Soo Tyng Sustainability Director, Eco Sentido Malaysia
• Sourajit Aiyer Founding Member of Sustainability and AI Business Action Centre, UK
• Bilegsaikhan (Billie) Byambadorj Founding Member of Sustainability and AI Business Action Centre, UK