Christiana Figueres is a world-renowned leader on climate change, best known for steering the Paris Agreement to success. She brings unmatched expertise in global diplomacy, sustainable development, and systems leadership to inspire corporate and policy audiences to act with courage, urgency and optimism.
Christiana Figueres is a globally recognised leader in climate diplomacy and sustainability strategy. As the former Executive Secretary of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), she was instrumental in securing the landmark Paris Agreement in 2015, galvanising diverse actors across business, government, and civil society to chart a shared path toward climate stability.
Christiana Figueres assumed leadership of the UNFCCC following the failed Copenhagen conference in 2009. Over the next six years, she rebuilt trust, strengthened global alignment, and led the Conferences of the Parties in Cancun, Durban, Doha, Warsaw, and Lima, culminating in the historic adoption of the Paris Agreement, signed by 195 countries.
Her collaborative approach brought together a vast coalition of stakeholders, from national and subnational governments to financial institutions, NGOs, activists, corporations, and faith communities. She has been widely credited with redefining global climate diplomacy through her unique ability to align ambition with pragmatism.
Prior to joining the UNFCCC, she served for over a decade as a member of Costa Rica’s climate negotiating team and played key roles in UN climate governance. She also founded and directed the Center for Sustainable Development of the Americas (CSDA) and was Director of Renewable Energy in the Americas (REIA).
Today, she continues to shape the global sustainability agenda as co-founder of Global Optimism, co-host of the podcast Outrage + Optimism, and Chair of The Earthshot Prize Foundation. She also sits on the boards of ACCIONA and ACCIONA Energía, and is a member of The B Team.
Christiana Figueres is a deeply compelling speaker who combines evidence-based insight with persuasive storytelling and clear calls to action. Her delivery is authoritative yet inclusive, empowering senior leaders and global teams alike to embrace their roles in addressing complex systemic challenges.
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