Pooran Desai

Biographie: I studied Medical Sciences and Neuroscence at Oxford and Cambridge Universities before co-founding environmental organisation, Bioregional, in 1994. I put together the UK's first zero carbon village, Beddington Zero (fossil) Energy Development, BedZED in south London, completed in 2002. Learning the lessons, I coined the term One Planet Living (OPL), led on creation of the OPL framework and initiative, leading teams writing strategies for $30bn pf zero carbon real estate in over 30 countries. I co-founded Bioregional Quintain Ltd, with finance from Quintain Estates and Development PLC and joint ventured with Crest Nicholson PLC to build 250 units of zero carbon development. I have authored three books, been awarded an OBE, named World Economic Forum European Social Entrepreneur 2011 and made an Honorary Fellow of the Royal Institute of British Architects. I now head up OnePlanet.com, a digital platform offering companies and cities a mechanism to collaborate on systemic change for a regenerative future. I have served on ULI product councils in the USA and UK, covering sustainable development, residential development and innovation.