Hailing from the Pacific Island of Pohnpei, Federated States of Micronesia, Joshua is a climate finance practitioner focused on Small Island Developing States (SIDS). He specializes broadly in climate finance transparency, sustainable finance taxonomies, and the blue economy, focusing on providing strategic policy and program implementation. In his previous work experiences, Joshua worked with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to develop regional country profiles of 6 Pacific Island nations and provide recommendations on blue economy sectors for the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent. In addition, he delivered a stock take report on climate change mitigation and adaptation strategies, NDCs, and energy subsidies across the following countries of Fiji, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, FSM, Nauru, Palau, Tonga, and Tuvalu. He has also served as a climate negotiator for the FSM at COP28 and COP29 to cover topics on oceans and climate finance and is a UNFCCC Nominated Expert for Micronesia.
Joshua currently serves as the Oceania Regional Representative for the Sustainable Ocean Alliance working on implementing the Blue Prosperity Entrepreneurship Fellowship (BPEF) in FSM and Tonga and is supporting Marine Spatial Planning (MSP) in the region. Additionally, he works full-time as a Climate Finance Specialist for the Center for Clean Air Policy (CCAP), where he directly supported the development of the recently launched Initiative for Climate Action Transparency (ICAT) Climate Finance Transparency Guide. Subsequently, Joshua has contributed extensively to the research and analysis of sustainable finance (green) taxonomies across 52+ jurisdictions, which has led to pr
His current affiliations include serving as an Expert Reviewer for the seventh edition of the Global Environment Outlook (GEO-7) UN Environment Programme (UNEP), a researcher UNFCCC YOUNGO Finance & Markets Working Group on establishing Loss and Damage and the NCQG for SIDS, and a affiliate of the Resilient and Sustainable Islands Initiative (ODI-RESI) on debt distress and access to climate finance, further demonstrating his rooted understanding of the Pacific.
Ben Sims has 13 years of experience in more than ten countries across Asia and the Pacific. Ben is an expert in climate finance, public financial management, investment planning, climate risk assessments, adaptation planning (asset, community, sector and national levels), policy and institutional design and reforms, and the development of sectoral and national strategies and plans.
Ben has provided consultancy services for government agencies and international organisations, including SPREP, ADB, World Bank, Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI), UN Environment, UNDP, UNDRR, the Commonwealth Secretariat, and the Government of New Zealand. Recent consultancies are summarised in this profile - my full consultancy record is provided in my CV.
Ben’s recent work in the Pacific includes leading the development of the PNG National Climate Finance Strategy and PNG GCF Country Programme; completion of climate finance training for government agencies in Fiji, Vanuatu and the Solomon Islands; design of the GCF no-objection procedure for RMI; and analysis on strengthening flood risk management institutions in Vanuatu and the Solomon Islands. He has also led an assessment on mainstreaming climate change into Cambodia’s PFM system and development of an investment plan to strengthen the country’s disaster risk management. Ben was previously a staff member at GGGI, where he worked on establishing the Institute’s country programs in Fiji, Kiribati, Vanuatu and Papua New Guinea.
He holds a Master of Environmental Management and Development and Master of Diplomacy from the Australian National University, a Bachelor of Science from the University of Auckland, and is a Certified Expert in Climate Adaptation Finance from the Frankfurt School. Ben is currently studying a Master of Public Health at the University of Auckland part time, where he is researching the impacts of flooding on population health.
Alan Brent is a Professor and the inaugural holder of the Chair in Sustainable Energy Systems in the Faculty of Engineering at Te Herenga Waka Victoria University of Wellington. He holds Bachelor degrees in Engineering (Chemical) and Philosophy (Sustainable Development); Master degrees in Science (Environmental Engineering), Engineering (Technology Management), and Philosophy (Sustainable Development); and a PhD in Engineering Management. He is a Fellow of Engineering New Zealand, a member of the IEEE Power and Energy Society, and an executive committee member of The Sustainability Society. More information on his research can be found on his ORCID profile (https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3769-4512), and LinkedIn profile (https://www.linkedin.com/in/alanbrent/).
Safeguard Manager (Consultant) - South Tarawa Water Supply Project (GCF, ADB, WB)
National Climate Change Coordinator - Office of te Beretitenti/ President - Kiribati
Assistant Project Manager - Third National Communication (TNC)
Volunteer - Environment and Conservation Division
Joe is an experienced policy advisor and strategist who has worked on climate issues in Australia, New Zealand, Europe and the Indo-Pacific since 206. He is currently working on the NZ Emissions Reduction Plan, National Adaptation Plan and advising on mitigation, Article 6 and International Carbon Markets for NZ's Climate Directorate.
His previous work includes providing diplomatic, strategic and technical advice for Pacific leaders at the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), providing advice and designing campaign strategies for regional and international civil society organisations (incl. Greenpeace, Caritas, BOGA, Fossil Fuel Treaty), and helping clients achieve their strategic objectives through cross-sector engagement and partnerships.
Joe is a Samoan and has sound understanding of the cultural nuances required to engage with Pacific leaders and communities and has an extensive professional network among Climate professionals, civil society and community groups which enables him to work collaboratively throughout the region to achieve the objectives of his clients and Government partners.
I have considerable experience working as an economist with over 20 years experience working on a range of macro and micro economic issues for Commonwealth and State agencies in Australia and regionally in the Pacific for the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat. I have extensive experience working on a range of public policy issues. I have held management roles responsible for the leadership of, and significant contributions to, development of infrastructure plans, climate change finance, disaster risk reduction, natural resource policy and legislation, regulation of markets, performance measurement and evaluation reporting frameworks, cost benefit analysis proposals and policy governance frameworks.
