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.