Exeter Climate Policy works closely with several expert partners from a wide range of organisations.
Professor Tim Lenton
Chair in Climate Change and Earth System Science
Tim Lenton is founding Director of the Global Systems Institute and Chair in Climate Change and Earth System Science at the University of Exeter.
Tim’s research focuses on understanding the behaviour of the Earth as a whole system, the complex web of biological, geochemical and physical processes that shape the chemical composition of the atmosphere and oceans, as well as the climate of the Earth. His award-winning work identifying Tipping Points in the climate system has led him to examine Positive Tipping Points within our social systems which could help accelerate progress towards a sustainable future. He is a member of the Earth Commission and is a Clarivate Web of Science Highly Cited Researcher. Tim has twice been cited in lists of the world’s most influential climate scientists.
Simon Sharpe
Managing Director, S-Curve Economics, and EEIST Policy Impact Lead
Simon is Managing Director of S-Curve Economics, a new non-profit organisation dedicated to advancing understanding of the economics of the low carbon transition. He is also Director of Economics for the Climate Champions Team, and author of Five Times Faster: Rethinking the Science, Economics, and Diplomacy of Climate Change, which was listed by the Times and Financial Times as one of the best environment books of the year 2023.
Simon was previously Deputy Director of the UK government’s COP26 Unit, where he led international campaigns on energy, transport, land use, science and innovation. His other roles in government included leading international climate change strategy, developing the approach to clean growth in the UK’s industrial strategy, and serving as head of private office to Ministers of State for Energy and Climate Change. He also served on diplomatic postings to China and India. Simon has published academic papers on climate change science and economics, and policy reports on climate change risk assessment, economics, and diplomacy.
Étienne Espagne
Senior Climate Economist, Agence Française de Développement (AFD)
Étienne Espagne is an economist specializing in climate and financial issues at AFD, the bilateral development bank for the French government. He is also an associate researcher at CERDI.
His research focuses on the macro-financial aspects of carbon emission reduction policies and their impact on the climate and nature, particularly in the context of developing and emerging economies.
From 2022 to 2025 at the World Bank, he led two major programs on the development of analytical tools and capacity building for finance ministries. Previously, he developed and contributed to the GEMMES program on modeling and assessing climate damage, adaptation and mitigation strategies, particularly in the context of Vietnam.
Hector Pollitt
Senior Economist, World Bank
Hector Pollitt is a Senior Economist for the World Bank, specializing in climate and macroeconomic modeling.
His work focuses on the intersection of climate change and economic development in East and Southeast Asia, where he supports governments in designing policies that integrate climate risks and opportunities into long-term growth strategies. He contributes to the World Bank’s Country Climate and Development Reports (CCDRs) and other flagship products, covering both adaptation and mitigation policy analysis.
