Emma Syrat

Experience

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  CUTS International

  Sept 2012 - Dec 2012

  Agriculture-Climate-Trade Research Intern for East African Countries

  • CUTS International is a leading Southern voice and face of consumer empowerment through its rights-based approach and activities for influencing the process and content of inclusive growth and development.• Improved policy coherance in East Africa by working closely and networking with employees from NGOs, the UN and the WTO.• Researched and edited the project “Promoting Agriculture-Climate-Trade linkages in the EAC” (PACT EAC) which has strived to help East African stakeholders better understand and address the need for coherent policies at the interplay between climate, food and trade issues.• The project has influenced a number of policy improvements with linkage aspects now being reflected in the draft Kenya Environmental Policy, the new draft Agricultural Policy of Tanzania, and a potential review of the GMO policy at the Vice Presidents’ Office in Tanzania. Show less

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  Grupo Fenix

  Mar 2013 - Dec 2013

  Environmental Specialist

  • Grupo Fenix works with communities in Nicaragua to promote renewable energy, reforestation and sustainable development.• Worked with a rural Nicaraguan community on various hands-on various renewable energy projects increasing their technical skill level.• Developed English lesson plans for a group of 10+ young adults and modified activities to meet the learning needs of individual students increasing their employability.• Supported community self-determination and local responsibility for the projects.• Designed and managed the new pathway project linking the Solar Workshop to the Solar Kitchen (below). Show less

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  The University of Manchester

  Sept 2014 - Sept 2016

  Sustainability Coordinator

  • Managed the Green Impact programme which is an environmental accreditation and awards scheme run by the National Union of Students that brings together staff and students to green campuses, curriculums and communities across the country.• Managed and influenced sustainability practices at the University level by reducing food waste in the Catering Department by researching innovative ways to reduce food, material and energy waste by evaluating alternatives to throwing away food waste.• Recommended and adopted effective course of action consisting of coordinating leftover food to 'Student Action Volunteers' who donates food to the homeless.• Increased knowledge of environmental practices in the workplace by meeting specific and measurable criteria, covering several main aspects of sustainability: waste, water, travel, energy, procurement, greening teams and communications.• Organized events and meetings to follow up on the team's progress to meet targets.• Achieved higher sustainability award at Green Impact Awards Ceremony. Show less

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  Ricardo Energy & Environment

  Jun 2015 - Sept 2020

  •Spearheaded the establishment of Ricardo’s Waste Practice in Brisbane, taking ownership of its strategic and operational setup. This involved independently launching the practice from the ground up, including identifying market opportunities, defining service offerings, and implementing local business development strategies. Built and nurtured strong relationships with key stakeholders and clients across the public and private sectors, successfully positioning Ricardo as a trusted advisor in the Queensland and Australian market.• Led the end-to-end delivery of waste consulting services, acting as both project manager and technical circular economy expert. Focused on collaborating closely with clients to investigate and address complex waste management challenges. This included conducting feasibility studies, regulatory reviews, and site assessments; designing waste strategies and recovery solutions and supporting procurement processes. Delivered high-quality, actionable insights and reports that informed client decision-making and helped drive sustainable, cost-effective outcomes. Show less • Ricardo helps their clients solve some of the world’s most complex environmental challenges and provide governments, public agencies and businesses with leading analysis, advice and data.Clients benefit from unprecedented depth of capability across six key practice areas: Air & Environmental Quality; Energy & Climate Change; Resource Efficiency & Waste Management; Water; Sustainable Transport; and Chemical Risk.• I have worked on a range of different projects across the Waste, Energy, Air Quality and Water Practices and has gained a variety of transferable skills including project management, report writing and data analysis. Key business areas she has worked on in depth include Environmental Assessment and Renewable Energy.• Delivered projects to clients through updating Environmental Assessment Reports and creating GIS maps. Show less

  • Waste Operations and Circular Economy Consultant - Ricardo Australia

    Feb 2019 - Sept 2020

  • Water and Energy Consultant - Ricardo UK

    Jun 2015 - Jan 2019
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  CIRCULR

  Sept 2020 - Apr 2022

  Environment and Circular Economy Lead

  • Led and delivered a range of environmental, circular economy, and sustainability projects across Australia, with a strong focus on strategy, innovation, and practical outcomes.Key highlight includes managing the development of the Circular Economy Strategy for the Parkes Shire Council’s Special Activation Precinct, a landmark project aimed at embedding circular principles into regional economic development.• Conducted in-depth research into international best practices in sustainability and the circular economy, translating global insights into tailored strategies for Australian governments and industries.This involved analysing case studies, frameworks, and policy trends from leading global jurisdictions and adapting them to align with local regulatory, environmental, and economic conditions.• Contributed to multiple ISCA (Infrastructure Sustainability Council of Australia) projects, supporting the integration of sustainability ratings and performance benchmarks into major infrastructure developments. • Became an accredited ISC Verifier, enabling formal assessment and verification of project submissions under the IS Rating Scheme. Worked closely with project teams to embed sustainability outcomes from planning through to delivery, ensuring alignment with ISCA frameworks and best practice.Worked closely with design and delivery teams to embed sustainability principles from early planning through to implementation and reporting stages.• Supported the development and implementation of carbon neutral (Climate Active) strategies for clients aiming to reduce emissions and achieve net zero goals.This included emissions assessments, carbon accounting, offset strategies, and alignment with the Australian Government’s Climate Active certification framework. Show less

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  Arcadis

  Apr 2022 - Mar 2024

  Waste and Sustainability Consultant
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  Freelance

  Feb 2024 - now

  Environmental Scientist | Freelance Contractor

  🌱 Sustainability Lead for Future Eco Surf SchoolAs a leader in transforming the surf industry, I'm driving sustainability through key initiatives:-Circular Surfboard and Gear Programs: Innovating with recycled/upcycled materials to create a closed-loop system where nothing goes to waste.-Zero-Waste Operations: Minimizing our carbon footprint with beach cleanups and eco-conscious office practices, working towards a zero-waste surf school.-Ocean Education and Community Engagement: Educating guests on ocean conservation and fostering a culture of environmental stewardship.-Eco-Friendly Collaborations: Partnering with local artisans, sustainable brands, and community groups to build a regenerative surf experience.💼 Contractor for Helen Millicer and Climate Wise AssociationsI contribute to sustainability solutions in Australia through collaborative partnerships and strategic research:-Event and Media Engagement Coordination: Organizing meetings, conferences, and media appearances to amplify climate action.-Research for Sustainability Solutions: Conducting research to support climate-smart strategies and policies for a greener future.-Thought Leadership Support: Assisting in creating reports and content to influence sustainability policies.-Building Collaborative Networks: Connecting stakeholders to foster partnerships and drive sustainability efforts. Show less

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  Future Eco Surf School

  May 2024 - now

  Sustainability Lead