Karen and Robyn

As a passionate environmental scientist, Karen wants to make a positive difference in the lives of PNG's climate vulnerable populations. Through experiences with UNDP's Environment and Energy programme, and the PNG government, Karen knows that the impacts of climate change can increase communities' vulnerability and disrupt the livelihoods of these affected communities. She believes that vulnerable and marginalised populations, including women and girls, can sustain their livelihoods by building their adaptive capabilities.

Karen aims to break traditional barriers and advocate for environmental initiatives to have a gender focus. In so doing, women and girls' social and economic resilience will improve and they will be able to cope with the impacts of climate change.

Robyn currently leads the development and implementation of conservation priorities for The Nature Conservancy's Melanesia program. Over the past two decades, Robyn has worked on Australian and international conservation and research projects, with a focus on Pacific Island countries in the past eight years. She recently started a doctorate on 'Women and Conservation', and has degrees in applied science in 'protected area management' and 'wilderness reserves and wildlife'.

In her work, Robyn has focused on inclusion of marginalised groups, especially women. Increasingly, she works with women's groups in Solomon Islands and PNG to ensure they are involved in planning and decision-making of their natural resources. She has led initiatives to improve the inclusion of women in TNC's work and improve equity within the workplace.