John Goedschalk
John Goedschalk is a climate change economist, sustainability advocate, and entrepreneur whose work focuses on the intersection of economic development, conservation, and sustainable finance. With more than a decade of experience in climate policy, conservation, and bio-economy development, he has worked extensively on nature-based solutions, carbon finance, and sustainable business models designed to support both environmental preservation and long-term economic resilience.
John is widely recognised for his work on rainforest conservation and sustainable development in Suriname. He previously served as Executive Director of Conservation International Suriname, where he worked on issues related to climate finance, biodiversity, and carbon sequestration. His research and advocacy focus on demonstrating that standing forests can generate greater long-term economic value than extractive industries such as mining, cattle farming, or large-scale deforestation.
He is also the founder and CEO of Bio Tara, a company focused on developing carbon-negative and biodiversity-positive supply chains in partnership with indigenous and forest-based communities across the Amazon. Through this work, John promotes regenerative sourcing models and the development of high-value botanical ingredients for international markets, with the aim of creating sustainable economic alternatives that support rainforest conservation and local livelihoods.
