Eileen Claussen
President of the Pew Center on Global Climate Change and Strategies for the Global Environment

Ms. Claussen is the former Assistant Secretary of State for Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs. In that capacity, she was responsible for developing and implementing policy on behalf of the United States on major international issues, including climate change; ozone depletion; chemicals; natural resource issues, including forests, biodiversity, oceans, fisheries and wildlife conservation; and the sustainable development efforts of the multilateral development banks and the United Nations. Prior to joining the Department of State, Ms. Claussen served for three years as a Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director for Global Environmental Affairs at the National Security Council.

From 1987 to 1993, Ms. Claussen was Director of Atmospheric Programs at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. There, she directed international and domestic activities related to the depletion of the ozone layer; developed the acid rain program under Title IV of the Clean Air Act; negotiated the Clean Air Accord with Canada; and directed the development of the EPA's energy efficiency programs, including the Green Lights program and the Energy Star program. Ms. Claussen also served from 1990 to 1991 as the Deputy Assistant Administrator for the Office of Air and Radiation. Between 1972 and 1987, she directed various programs at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, including those dealing with the land disposal of hazardous waste.

Ms. Claussen is the recipient of the Department of State's Career Achievement Award, the Meritorious Executive Award for Sustained Superior Accomplishment, the Distinguished Executive Award for Sustained Extraordinary Accomplishment, and the Fitzhugh Green Award for Outstanding Contributions to International Environmental Protection. At the conclusion of her government career, she served as the Timothy Atkeson Scholar in Residence at Yale University. She received a Master of Arts degree from the University of Virginia, and a Bachelor of Arts degree from George Washington University. She is a member of the Board of Directors of the Environmental Law Institute; the Council on Foreign Relations; the China Council for International Cooperation on Environment and Development; and was a Commissioner on the former Pew Oceans Commission.

Ms. Claussen is the Executive Editor of Climate Change: Science, Strategies and Solutions, and the author of numerous publications on environment and development.

Source: The Pew Center on Global Climate Change

Related Event(s):

Back