Giel Linthorst is a director, leading all activities in the field of science-based targets and sustainable finance. He is a global recognized expert on translating climate science to corporate strategies and financial institutions.

Giel was the leading expert who developed the new, ground-breaking methodology for the Science Based Targets initiative of CDP, UN Global Compact, WRI and WWF. This methodology was peer-reviewed and published in Nature Climate Change and referred to in many other publications. Together with CDP, WRI, WWF and 2o investing initiative, Giel is developing a harmonized framework to set science-based targets for the financial sector and align a financial portfolio with the Paris Agreement.

Giel has supported various financial institutions on carbon accounting of their loans and investments, developing climate strategy and performing scenario analysis and climate risk assessment. Additionally, he is part of the Dutch High Level Expert Group on Sustainable Finance and was the leading expert on a high-level project for the German government, as part of their G20 presidency, (1) to assess the carbon risks in the German economy, (2) to conduct a carbon stress test for German financial institutions and (3) to develop regulatory instruments to mitigate carbon risks in financial markets in Germany and beyond.

Giel is a common speaker at various conference, like UN Climate Change Conference (COP), Climate Leadership Conference or Responsible Investment conference. He has presented his key expertise and vision in various online webinars. Giel has a technical and physical background combined with strategic business development. During his career at Guidehouse he has established a broad network among companies, financial institutions, well-known NGOs (such as CDP, WRI and WWF) and climate scientists.

Prior to his current role Giel was manager of the unit sustainable products, and was also ad-interim unit manager of the Sustainable Transport unit. As manager of both units, he was involved in setting up ambitious climate and energy policies and corporate environmental strategies together with policy actors and well known NGOs, as well as supporting companies to measure, improve and report their environmental performance. He has gained experience in achieving sustainability in various sectors. With his expertise, he ensures that the developed strategies are translated into clear, effective and impactful actions.

Klaus Lackner is the director of Center for Negative Carbon Emissions and professor at the School of Sustainable Engineering and the Built Environment of the Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering, Arizona State University. Lackner’s research interests include closing the carbon cycle by capturing carbon dioxide from the air, carbon sequestration, carbon foot-printing, innovative energy and infrastructure systems and their scaling properties, the role of automation, robotics and mass-manufacturing in downscaling infrastructure systems, and energy and environmental policy. His interest in self-replicating machine systems has been recognized by Discover Magazine as one of seven ideas that could change the world. 

In 1999, Lackner was the first person to suggest the artificial capture of carbon dioxide from air in the context of carbon management. His recent work at Columbia University as director of the Lenfest Center for Sustainable Energy advanced innovative approaches to energy issues of the future and the pursuit of environmentally acceptable technologies for the use of fossil fuels.

He is a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science and he was recognized for contributing to the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize for the IPCC. He is also a member of the steering committee for the Earth Institute at Columbia University.

Education

Ph.D. Physics (Theoretical Particle Physics) Summa Cum Laude), Heidelberg University, Germany 1978 Clemm-Haas Prize for outstanding Ph. D. thesis at Heidelberg UniversityDiplomPhysics, Heidelberg University, Germany 1976 Advisors: Professors John Grace and Xiaotao Bi)VordiplomPhysics, Heidelberg University, Germany 1975