Zoe’s WILD Environmentalism
In a recent conversation, ahead of her upcoming WILD event, with Zoe Detko, founder of Ardea Eco-Innovation, we delved into her inspiring journey, passions, and the impactful work she is doing to marry sustainability with business practices.
I began by asking Zoe about her background and what led her to found her company. She recounted her love for the environment and travel, which guided her academic pursuits and career. "My background — I love the environment. I love nature. I love travelling. I love seeing the world," she shared. This passion drove her to pursue degrees and master's programs that allowed her to venture on exciting trips. Zoe’s academic journey was filled with remarkable experiences. "I did undergraduate geography, got to go to Belize and travel Central America for three months and work in the jungle," she recalled. Her Master’s in Conservation Biology took her to Madeira—a beautiful yet challenging locale. "I’ve also been on field trips to Malta and Tenerife, doing diving and other super cool things," she added. Her deep connection with nature and a newfound interest in policy led Zoe to a Ph.D. in integrating the environment into policy and planning. "Spent a bit of time in Westminster, then got married to someone from Lancaster," she reflected. This was followed by a significant role at the Centre for Global Eco-Innovation, where Zoe supported researchers and businesses in the low-carbon sector.
Zoe's journey wasn’t without its challenges. After years of fulfilling work, she faced redundancy. Rather than seeing this as a setback, Zoe seized the opportunity to start her own business, driven by the skills and passions she had developed over the years. "So then I did that for like five years and then moved over to the management school and wrote programs for businesses to help them reduce their emissions and delivered those. Absolutely loved it and then got made redundant. So I decided to take the money and run and set up my own business," she explained.
When queried about her current endeavours, Zoe explained that her work is a continuation of what she did at the university but with a more targeted approach. "Pretty much what I was doing at the uni, but more hyper-focused for each client," she said. This tailored approach differentiates her current role from the broader initiatives at her previous job, enabling her to make a more significant impact on each client.
We also explored how ecological challenges disproportionately affect marginalised communities. Zoe's insights were both eye-opening and thought-provoking. "The people that are doing it are the richer countries that have the facilities to make themselves more resilient to the changes," Zoe emphasised, "and those that are more affected by the changes are the countries that have less money to spend on climate resilience."
For individuals in tech or digital roles looking to contribute to sustainable practices, Zoe offered valuable advice. "If the internet was a country, it would be the fourth largest emitter of CO2e," she pointed out. By optimising their tech usage and making informed decisions about hosting and energy sources, tech professionals can significantly reduce their carbon footprint. "It's about optimising the technology that you use and trying to decouple the energy usage of these things from coal to something better—solar, wind, nuclear," Zoe advised.
Zoe’s involvement with the Wild Network stemmed from conversations we had and shared values. "Having those sorts of conversations made me realise that the Wild Network is an interesting one to be a part of," she explained. Through collaboration and sharing similar views, Zoe recognised the opportunity to contribute meaningfully to the network's objectives.
In anticipation of her upcoming Wild event, Zoe hopes attendees will gain both practical tips and a deeper understanding of sustainability. "For me, the biggest impact around emissions reduction and sustainability is in people knowing more about the whole situation," she stressed. By building a culture of sustainability, individuals and businesses can develop more holistic, sustainable practices that balance economic growth with environmental responsibility. Zoe's journey is a testament to the power of passion, resilience, and a clear purpose. As she continues to drive change and inspire others, her story serves as a powerful reminder of the impact one person can make in the quest for a more sustainable world.
