Paul Simons

Paul Simons is a prominent figure in the field of global energy and climate change policy, currently serving as the Founding Director of the Yale Emerging Climate Leaders Fellowship at Yale University.12 Here's a more detailed overview of his background and current role:

Professional Background

Paul Simons is a retired U.S. ambassador with over two decades of experience in global energy and climate change policymaking.1 His career highlights include:

• Deputy Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer of the International Energy Agency (IEA) from 2015 to 2020, where he led outreach activities with emerging economies and G-20 coordination.1
• Senior Fellow at Yale's Jackson Institute since 2020, teaching and mentoring students in the clean energy transition.4

Current Role at Yale

As the Founding Director of the Yale Emerging Climate Leaders Fellowship, Simons oversees a program that aims to:

• Create a community of committed clean energy and climate change leaders from emerging and developing countries.1
• Offer a six-month program for 16 emerging climate and clean energy practitioners from across the Global South.2
• Strengthen leadership skills, broaden technical proficiencies, and deepen professional networks of participants.2

Program Structure

The Yale Emerging Climate Leaders Fellowship, under Simons' direction, includes:

• Interactive sessions with prominent Yale faculty and practitioners at the Yale campus in New Haven.2
• Remote learning sessions featuring top international experts on climate change and clean energy transition.2
• A concluding week in Paris, including dialogues with top international energy and climate change leaders.2

Impact and Vision

Simons' leadership of the program focuses on:

• Developing a diverse cohort of fellows from multiple career tracks across Asia, Africa, the Middle East, and Latin America/Caribbean.1
• Creating lifelong partnerships to help reduce global emissions.2
• Exploring innovative Global South solutions to pressing global climate challenges.2

Paul Simons continues to be actively engaged in global climate initiatives, including participation in recent COP conferences.23