Global Climate Policy Expert Joins Environmental Defense Fund

(WASHINGTON – March 1, 2023) Environmental Defense Fund today announced the hiring of Juan Pablo Hoffmaister as Associate Vice President for Global Climate Cooperation. Hoffmaister is an expert on multilateral climate engagement and climate adaptation finance, and a former negotiator for developing countries for the Paris Agreement.

“Climate change requires a global solution, and cooperation on climate policy at the highest levels,” said Mandy Rambharos, EDF’s Vice President for Global Climate Cooperation. “Juan Pablo will help ensure that climate diplomacy leads to effective, inclusive policies that solve for more than one challenge at once. His strategic thinking and expertise in the multilateral process make him uniquely positioned to lead EDF’s efforts to shift global climate policy from negotiation to implementation, and to hold countries and companies accountable to their climate commitments.”

Prior to joining EDF, Hoffmaister was the Multilateral Governance Manager at the Green Climate Fund (GCF), where he led the engagement between the GCF and the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change and other strategic relationships. Hoffmaister also established the framework of response of the GCF to mandates from the Conference of Parties (COP) following the adoption of the Paris Agreement, including the launch of the program to support nationally determined contributions and National Adaptation Plans, engaging global partners to promote climate action addressing adaptation and climate finance issues. He’s also a former lead negotiator for the coalition of developing countries - Group of 77 and China (G-77 + China) - for adaptation and loss and damage, Articles 7 and 8 of the Paris Agreement. He’s a former co-chair of the UNFCCC Adaptation Committee.

Hoffmaister will support EDF’s global vision, strategy and leadership, focusing on strengthening the organization’s presence and advocacy at multilateral climate forums, including the UN climate negotiations. He’ll also advance EDF’s work on climate adaptation finance issues.

“I’m thrilled to join Environmental Defense Fund, and eager to get to work on game-changing solutions that put people at the center,” said Hoffmaister. “EDF’s unique blend of expertise in science, economics, partnerships and advocacy will be crucial to advance work on transformational planning and policymaking in the race to meet the Paris Agreement’s goals.”