Senior Policy Advisor , GWEC

Biography

Steve Sawyer joined the Global Wind Energy Council as its first Secretary General in April 2007. The Global Wind Energy Council represents the major wind energy associations (China, India, Japan,Brazil, Mexico, Australia, Canada, USA, Europe, Germany, Spain, Denmark, Italy, Korea and UK) as well as the major companies involved in the global wind industry. Steve has worked in the energy and environment field since 1978, with a particular focus on climate change and renewable energy since 1988. He spent many years working for Greenpeace International, representing the organization at intergovernmental and industry fora primarily on energy and climate issues. At GWEC he is focused on working with intergovernmental organisations such as the UNFCCC, IPCC, IRENA, IEA IFC and ADB to ensure that wind power takes its rightful place in the energy options for the future; and with opening up new markets for the industry in Latin America, Africa and Asia. Steve is also a founding member of both the REN21 Renewable Energy Policy Network and the IEA’s Renewable Industry Advisory Board. He advised the Chinese government on the formulation of its renewable energy legislation, as well as providing expert reviewing for the IPCC’s Working Group III. He grew up in rural New Hampshire and holds a B.A. in Philosophy from Haverford College, is married to Kelly Rigg, has two children Layla (29) and Sam (24) and has lived in Amsterdam since 1989.