Tony Juniper

British sustainability advocate and environmentalist, Tony Juniper, is the influential Executive Director of Friends of the Earth, England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Tony has dedicated his life to saving the planet, a passion that led him to be the former Vice-Chair of Friends of the Earth International and a Green Party parliamentary candidate. At present, Tony is a highly-celebrated sustainability speaker, who tours the country to warn businesses of their environmental impact. Insightful, thought-provoking and engaging, his TEDtalk on nature and our economy has received thousands of views. Tony was educated at the University of Bristol, where he graduated with a degree in Psychology and Zoology in 1983. It was during this period that Tony first dedicated his career to the environment, by studying a Master's degree in Conservation from University College, London. Following his graduation, Tony then worked as a Senior Associate at the Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership, where he could tackle global challenges head-on.

In 1990, Tony became a member of Friends of the Earth. While working with the group, he led a campaign that promoted the Climate Change Bill in 2006, a truly influential movement to save the planet. 2006 saw Tony work with Radiohead's Thom Yorke on Big Ask, a campaign that was backed by 130,000 people nationwide. Tony plays a direct role in sustainability and business as a consultant. From Danbone to Skanska, he helps corporations to employ eco-friendly business strategies, a topic of conversation that he also explores as a speaker. As a special advisor to the Prince of Wales, Tony also worked on the Prince's Rainforests Project.

One of Tony's main areas of conservation is to save one of the world's most endangered birds - the Spix's Macaw. Tony's novel, Spix's Macaw: The Race to Save the World's Rarest Bird, explores the dangers these birds face, in particular, private bird holders like Birds International who sell the Macaw's as pets. In his after dinner speeches, Tony explores his personal mission to save these birds, taking his audience on a journey through his life. Considering Tony's political, social and professional influence, it is no surprise that he was appointed CBE in 2017. In 2019, Tony was named by Environmental Secretary, Michael Gove, as Chairman of Natural England; a governmental advisory group on England's environment. As a testament to Tony's impact, he was made Honorary Fellow by the Institute of Environmental Sciences, won the 2009 Rothschild Medal from the Wildlife Trust and the Chromy Award from the Conscience Institute.