Climate Policy Initiative (CPI), whose mission is to help governments, businesses, and financial institutions drive economic growth while addressing climate change, is pleased to announce it has expanded its Board with three of the world’s foremost experts in climate finance and policy:

Joaquim Levy, Director of Economic Strategy and Market Relations, Banco Safra Brazil. Mr. Levy is an economist with extensive experience providing innovation and leadership across the public and private financial sector. He is the former Managing Director and Chief Financial Officer of the World Bank. Other previous leadership positions include Brazil’s Minister of Finance, president of the Brazilian Development Bank (BNDES), Executive Vice President of Finance and Administration at the IDB, and President of Bradesco Asset Management.

Karsten Sach, Former Director General “European and International Policies, Climate Protection,” Federal Ministry for the Environment, Germany. Dr. Sach is one of the world’s foremost climate policy experts. Working in environment law and policy his entire career, he helped establish the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), has held various leadership positions in German ministries, was Chairman of the Management Board of the European Environment Agency, and served as Germany’s chief negotiator at the UNFCCC Conferences of the Parties from 1999 to 2021, including playing a significant role in negotiating the Paris Agreement.

Stacy Swann, CEO and Founding Partner of Climate Finance Advisors. Ms. Swann is a banking and climate finance expert whose career includes senior positions with the private-sector arm of the World Bank Group, the International Finance Corporation (IFC) where she was the first Head of IFC’s Blended Finance department, the U.S. Department of Treasury, and other organizations. As CEO of Climate Finance Advisors, she advises financial institutions, investors, corporations, and policymakers on issues related to mainstreaming climate considerations across investment, portfolio management, and policy.   

“These new Board members reflect the growing scope and scale of CPI’s work,” stated CPI’s Board Chair and Founder, Thomas Heller. “As climate finance and policy become more central to business and government, our Board’s depth of experience and engagement across the world in creating significant, systemic change will ensure CPI’s work delivers the highest impact.”

“I have known and worked closely with Joaquim, Karsten, and Stacy across multiple challenging circumstances to advance progress on climate issues,” stated CPI’s Global Managing Director, Barbara Buchner. “Already trusted advisors, I am very excited to have their expertise dedicated to CPI’s mission.”

The Board positions are effective January 1, 2023.

In addition to Mr. Heller, CPI’s current Board members are Howard Bamsey, Rachel Kyte, and Stewart Paperin.

About Climate Policy Initiative

CPI is an analysis and advisory organization with deep expertise in finance and policy. Our mission is to help governments, businesses, and financial institutions drive economic growth while addressing climate change. CPI has over 100 employees across six offices in Brazil, India, Indonesia, the United Kingdom, and the United States. More than half the team is located in emerging economies, more than 90% hold advanced degrees, and more than 50% are women including on the senior leadership team. Learn more at https://www.climatepolicyinitiative.org/about-cpi/what-we-do/