Scottish Species at Risk

Paula’s early years were spent in Senegal, Angola, Venezuela, and Spain, before continuing her life journey in Germany and Switzerland. Growing up immersed in such diverse cultures and landscapes, she witnessed firsthand the interconnected and multi-layered challenges faced by both people and forests—and the urgent need to protect them.

Motivated by these experiences, Paola pursued a Master’s degree in Forestry and Environmental Engineering at the Technical University of Madrid (UPM, Spain), followed by a Ph.D. in Civil and Environmental Engineering from the Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne (EPFL, Switzerland). Over more than a decade, she contributed as a scientist at Swiss research institutes like WSL and Agroscope, exploring the impacts of climate change on forests and agriculture.

Recognising the gap between scientific research and practical business solutions, Paula transitioned into sustainability consulting at Quantis. There, she helped forestry and food & beverage companies move beyond business as usual to business at its best—operating within planetary boundaries. Her expertise includes forest carbon accounting, no-deforestation policies, nature-based climate solutions and developing innovative, science-based strategies. She has partnered with global organisations such as WWF, the World Cocoa Foundation and the Science Based Targets initiatives for climate (SBTi) and nature (SBTN).

Beyond her scientific and consulting work, Paola is passionate about empowering the next generation. She currently volunteers as a facilitator for The Earth Foundation in Geneva, empowering teenagers worldwide to transform their sustainability ideas into meaningful action within their communities. Raised in a family of artists and driven by a passion to make science accessible, Paula now collaborates with Sycomore to harness the power of art in fixing the world. Through vivid creativity and compelling storytelling, she believes art can awaken hearts, inspire change, mobilise resources, and unite us all in the urgent quest to address our planet’s climate and biodiversity crises.

Dr. Bethan Lang is a Senior Sycomore scientist and our Lead Marine Scientist. Bethan is a marine biologist from the UK, who completed her PhD a stone’s throw from the Great Barrier Reef in Townsville, Australia. Here, Bethan studied the impacts of climate change on the infamous coral-feeding crown-of-thorns starfish, while also assisting with research projects on the ecology of epaulette sharks and other fishes.

Bethan has also worked on kelp and seagrass restoration and seahorse conservation projects in Sydney, as well as coral reef conservation projects in Indonesia, Madagascar and Honduras. Bethan is an avid diver, sailor, and general ocean lover.

Dr. Thelma Arko is an environmental scientist specialised in sustainable development, climate justice, and natural resource governance. Her work bridges science and policy, focusing on just energy transitions, stranded assets, and equitable climate solutions that support real emission reductions and socio-economic development.