The Decoding Sustainability series serves to cultivate sustainability insights in up-and-coming energy leaders. The first part focused on the interpretation of sustainability terms, while the second part highlighted the standard policy framework and funding mechanisms for unlocking capital for sustainability.
In part three, I interviewed Mercedes Maroto-Valer as she shares her valuable insights on diversity and inclusion in the sustainability domain, drawing from her personal experiences and position as a leader in the field.
Maroto-Valer is the director of the UK Industrial Decarbonization Research and Innovation Center (IDRIC), focused on accelerating the transition to net zero of industrial clusters. She is also deputy principal of global sustainability and director of the Research Center for Carbon Solutions at Heriot-Watt University. Her work covers energy systems, carbon capture, storage, and utilization, integration of hydrogen technologies, and low-carbon fuels. She has published more than 600 works on these topics and has served as editor of four books.
Hitisha Dadlani (HD): Having worked with academics and industrial clusters in areas of sustainability, what has inspired this lifelong journey of promising innovations, growing policy framework, and the long path to equitable energy transition?
Mercedes Maroto-Valer (MV): My passion and curiosity for the environment started as a child. Over the years, as I embraced motherhood, it has been translated into a commitment for my children and future generations to live in a sustainable world. As we speak on my journey till now, this union of passion igniting innovations and commitment driving the transition are the foundations and the best course for future generations. Yet, I want to highlight that this path to sustainability is not a race to net zero, but a team sport. It's not about who crosses first the finish line. We all have to go through the finish line, and the sense of pressure and urgency and of doing it together is a massive motivation for me.
HD: I agree that passion has helped me to give 100% in my pursuits. What has been your experience as a woman working in STEM closely with academia and industry?
MV: It has been a gradual progression over the years about understanding how things work with academia, governments, and also one's own interests. It is important to understand that for research solutions to get to market, we need the right regulatory framework, business models, and skill set. With the right skill set, we have a diverse and cohesive team that succeeds. As the director of the IDRIC, my job is to help the industrial sector to decarbonize.
My team understands that industries are the backbone of the economy, so our goal is to bring pace and scale for the sustainable and prosperous transition going forward. We ensure that environmental concerns are placed at the forefront of industrial operations. This generates opportunities such as the launch of 100 projects with 40 universities in the past 3 years. These projects focus on technologies like carbon capture and storage and hydrogen, and are integrated with supply chains and social, economic, and policy drivers. This systematic approach brings the necessary pace and scale to the transition.
HD: I second that sustainability is all about balancing the trilemma of economic growth, social equity, and environmental protection. As a leader in the field of sustainability, how do you advocate diversity and inclusion at your workplace?
MV: The key is recognizing the importance of integrating all the skills and talent required for the project. There are various reasons for me to promote diversity and inclusion in my workplace.
Firstly, different minds bring unique solutions and views, which must be done from the outset; otherwise, project aspirations are easily unmet. My IDRIC team is composed of fantastic and committed professionals and researchers with a wide range of backgrounds and skills, who happen to be all women as well.
Second, it is essential to encourage the team's growth going forward. At IDRIC, we have set up a research academy and doctoral training center to nurture talent. We will be training 100 PhDs on the area of green industrial futures. This is crucial for giving them the breadth and depth required to bring marketable solutions for a just transition.
Third and foremost, it is also very important to have diversity of thought and have global exposure to broaden our mindsets in line with national and international drivers, digital transformation, and advocacy for sustainability. For this, we have launched a few initiatives, such as a YouTube channel with close to 50 videos of our diverse team and their truly inspiring stories. I strongly advocate and nurture flexibility, by respecting boundaries and other responsibilities that team members have outside their work, and this balance keeps teams motivated and committed.
HD: What do you see as some of the challenges for advancing diversity and inclusion in energy and sustainability?
MV: Looking at the statistics, we are advancing but at a slower pace than expected, as per the demographics and distribution. That means our efforts in equality and diversity agenda must be increased. We need to be conscious in terms of our communication, recognition, nurturing, and inclusion of diverse groups. Elevating role models is another strategy for progressing diversity and inclusion. We need role models across all career stages, including PhD students, team leaders, technicians, professors, and more. That is important to inspire future generations to be part of this journey.
HD: I have always looked up to you as my role model, and engaging in this discussion with you is shaping how I look at the future of sustainability. You are at the forefront of sustainability, and it would be amiss not to discuss the most exciting areas in energy research you are currently involved in.
MV: I am passionate about sectors that are difficult to decarbonize, such as cement, steel, and petrochemicals. As part of IDRIC, we help them to decarbonize while generating economic and social growth. The decarbonization of air transport is also a sector that I am passionate about. We have students flying from different parts of the world to learn and take it back to their communities. So, their direct carbon emissions have many indirect benefits to be considered. Sustainable aviation fuels (SAF), produced by utilizing captured carbon dioxide, have gained traction in the market. Our team works on an integrated approach to provide solutions for the aviation industry.
HD: Lastly, what advice would you give young engineers and researchers like me who work in the ever-transforming energy industry?
MV: Advocate climate change and understand the consequences and the benefits of your decisions on a daily basis. Make the best of this time, as this is a unique moment of the transition, and it's going to really set the pace for future generations to come. I am privileged because I've been able to work in this area, and I have had an opportunity to drive change. So, I’d encourage you to be change makers for your communities and for generations to come.
