This World Environment Day, join us for In Plain Sight, a 360° immersive experience that brings methane (CH4) into focus. Once invisible, this overlooked super pollutant is now being seen in a whole new light – as one of our clearest opportunities to protect the planet, our health, and our future.
Through striking visuals, unexpected perspectives, and powerful storytelling, this experience reveals how clarity can spark momentum—and how what we see shapes what we do.
The event brings together experts in science, policy, and creative storytelling to connect insight with action—and explore how we move forward, now that we can see the way.
Malcolm L. McDowell has been working at the European Commission in DG Energy for 15 years. He is Team Leader responsible for methane emissions in the energy sector and the EU methane regulation. He was previously responsible for renewable gases in the renewables unit and before that, he was responsible for the oil refining sector and worked as oil and gas analyst.
He also worked previously in industry, including as Head of EU Affairs at oil & renewable diesel company Neste and for a number of years in the banking industry, including as equity research analyst in French bank Société Générale and then as Economic Adviser at the European Savings Banks Group and as Head of Economic Affairs at the European Mortgage Federation.
He has a Master of Science in Natural Resource and Environmental Economics from University College, London and a Master of Arts in Philosophy and Economics from the University of Edinburgh.
Dr Simon Clark is an award-winning science communicator, author, and YouTuber from Bath, UK. He holds a master’s degree in Physics from the University of Oxford and a PhD in atmospheric physics from the University of Exeter, and is an Honorary Industrial Fellow at the University of Bristol. Simon’s YouTube channel, with over 600,000 subscribers, features engaging content on climate science, the history of science, and mental health. His debut book Firmament was named a Waterstones Science Book of the Year. He has collaborated with global brands including TED, Google, and the BBC, and was awarded the Emerging Communicator award by the Royal Meteorological Society in 2024.
Bec is the Creative Director for the Time for CH4nge campaign as well as the Director of In Plain Sight. She is based between the UK & Australia and works mainly with agencies to craft the visual identities for communications campaigns for clients in sectors including government, NGOs, finance, tech, and higher education. Her aim is to create a seamless intersection between brand identity and community engagement, meaning that all touchpoints of a campaign connect to create a meaningful message and impactful experience for the audience.
Daniel is a Lead Senior Scientist, part of Environmental Defense Fund's Office of Chief Scientist. His current research focuses on providing actionable data that can accelerate the mitigation of methane emissions. He leads research projects around the world, improving the understanding of methane pollution, including with Environmental Defense Fund's MethaneSAT teams and in close partnership with UNEP's International Methane Emissions Observatory.
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Angelos is an Energy Policy Officer at Bond Beter Leefmilieu, the Belgian umbrella organisation for environmental and climate organisations. His work focuses on accelerating the phase-out of fossil gas through the energy transition. To this end, he has developed a framework of policy tools to accelerate a socially just renovation wave in Flanders. On the EU level, his work on the phasing out of Russian LNG and transparency in the EU's internal gas market, resulted in the Russian LNG transshipment.ban and influenced the REpowerEU roadmap. Currently he is working on how to rethink the EU's gas security of supply based on four pillars: demand reduction through energy transition, import selectivity, transparency and cooperation
Helen leads Environmental Defense Fund’s work in Europe. With teams in Brussels, London, Berlin and other EU countries, Helen defines and implements EDF Europe’s strategy, develops relationships with EU institutions and builds partnerships with key stakeholders. Drawing on EDF’s strong foundations in science and corporate engagement, Helen engages with decision makers to help bridge the science to policy gap. An expert in EU policy and public affairs with over 25 years of experience, Helen has previously worked for the European Institute for Innovation and Technology (EIT - Climate-KIC), the EU Corporate Leaders Group, and the University of Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership (CISL).
Methane may be invisible to the naked eye, but its impact is clear – and increasingly, so are the solutions.
As Europe navigates rising energy demands, climate commitments, and geopolitical uncertainty, cutting methane emissions offers a rare win-win: improving energy security, reducing waste, and delivering fast climate benefits. This panel brings together experts in science, policy, and creative storytelling to explore how greater methane visibility – from satellites to sensors, and from film to data – can drive smarter decisions, unlock accountability, and unite diverse actors around a common goal. The discussion sets the stage for the film premiere, offering critical context on why visibility matters – and why action must follow.
Confirmed Panellists:
Dr. Simon Clark, Science Communicator, Author and YouTuber, Moderator
Dr. Daniel Zavala-Araiza, Lead Senior Scientist, Environmental Defense Fund Europe
Angelos Koutsis, Energy Policy Officer, Bond Beter Leefmilieu
Bec Newman, Film Director
Join policymakers, scientists, creatives, and change-makers for an informal and inspiring reception. As the film continues on loop in the immersive theatre, the greenhouse transforms into a dynamic hub for connection and creativity, featuring drinks, canapés, striking data art and visuals, interactive photo walls, and the chance to create your personalised methane-art.
