ICE North East Climate Action Group launch and carbon management workshop

Kirils Holstovs

Kirils is a civil and structural engineer performing bridge inspections and assessments as a part of AECOM’s Bridges team in Newcastle upon Tyne, which helps ensure safe and sustainable operation of the UK's railway and highway networks. 

He is the 2021 New Civil Engineer Outstanding Contribution to Carbon Net Zero award winner and Graduate of the Year finalist. Kirils is a co-initiator of the COP26 Joint Statement of International Youth Organisations presented to senior policymakers at COP26 and endorsed by WFEO. 

Previous roles include head of business environment eolicy at EEF, the manufacturers’ organisation – where he was responsible for developing positions on infrastructure, devolution and digital transformation. 

Kirils is the climate change lead of the ICE NE Regional Committee, taking pride in generating, supporting and leading industry climate and sustainability initiatives. 

Chris Landsburgh

Chris Landsburgh is a technical director of AECOM's Carbon and ESG practice, focusing on decarbonisation. He has led several important initiatives, assisting government departments and large-scale infrastructure projects with their decarbonisation strategies.

Chris also represents the UK in climate change discussions with the IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change) and the European Committee for Standardization (CEN). At AECOM, Chris provides guidance on life cycle assessments and carbon management for various international mega-projects, including High-Speed Rail, and events such as COP28. He also represents several bodies as an expert witness.

His work impacts national sustainability projects and AECOM's corporate environmental strategies. Chris's dedication to promoting sustainability and decarbonisation marks him as a key driver of environmental excellence within the construction and infrastructure sectors.

Chris' influence on AECOM's carbon management and climate strategies has been crucial in advancing sustainability and PAS 2080 (Carbon Management in Buildings and Infrastructure).

His efforts have earned him esteemed committee positions and national recognition, including becoming the first Chartered Infrastructure Engineer in 2024.

He is currently pursuing a PhD in Carbon Responsibility, building on his degrees in Civil Engineering and Environmental Management and Planning.

Ross Lowrie

Ross Lowrie is an experienced climate change strategist with a wide range of expertise. He leads a team at East Combined Authority to execute a strategic approach to climate change mitigation and adaptation, paying particular attention to the use of decarbonisation technologies and partnerships.

Prof Phil Blythe CBE FREng CEng FIET FCIHT

Professor Phil Blythe CBE FREng CEng FIET FCIHT is professor of intelligent transport systems, head of the future mobility group, and director of the mobility and transport centre of research excellence (NUCoRE) at Newcastle University.

Phil’s research focus has been in the interface between policy and technology in areas such as: connected and autonomous vehicles; electro-mobility; decarbonising transport; and age-friendly and accessible transport. Previously, Phil was chief scientific adviser for the UK’s Department of Transport (DfT).

His current portfolio of projects includes the £10m National Hub for Decarbonised, Adaptable, and Resilient Transport Infrastructures (DARe); a range of Innovate UK projects on the commercialisation of automated and driverless vehicles; and projects on smart traffic management and 5G (5GR).