Jonathan Pershing has extensive experience at the highest level of U.S. climate policy and has played a key role in creating international climate agreements. He has held significant positions in the U.S. Department of State — including as the U.S. Special Envoy for Climate Change — and at the U.S. Department of Energy, as well as leadership roles in the World Resources Institute and the International Energy Agency. Most recently, he has been the Director of the Environment Program at the Hewlett Foundation. As of January 2026 he has joined LSE’s Global School of Sustainability as the Inaugural Dean.