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Richard Klein
Climate adaptation policy research at Stockholm Environment Institute, Adaptation Without Borders, IPCC, WASP
Richard J.T. Klein is a renowned international expert in climate change adaptation science and policy with over 30 years of experience in research, assessment, and advising policy.
He is a key figure in promoting global climate policy agreements with a focus on adaptation, addressing challenges in alignment with other policy priorities, and enhancing systemic resilience to cross-border climate impacts.
Richard has held various significant roles including developing global research strategies at SEI, professorship at Linköping University, and co-chairing the Science Committee of the World Adaptation Science Programme.
He is the founder of the academic journal Climate and Development, has contributed significantly to the IPCC, and led numerous international research projects, programs, and capacity-building initiatives.
Richard Klein is highly regarded for his extensive publications in leading academic journals and is recognized as one of the most cited experts in climate change vulnerability, impacts, and adaptation.
Recipient of the prestigious Burtoni Award in 2016, Richard's career includes influential positions at SEI, the Global Center on Adaptation, NORD-STAR, Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research, and Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam.
His educational background includes a PhD in Geography from Christian-Albrechts-Universität zu Kiel, MSc in Environmental Economics and Risk Management from University of East Anglia, and MSc in Quaternary Geology from Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam.
Highlights
Dr Saleemul Huq was more than an advocate for climate justice; he was its embodiment. Radiating warmth and wisdom, he steadfastly championed the rights of the most vulnerable countries and marginalised people confronting the brunt of climate change. He stood as a beacon of hope for countless who sought justice in an unjust world. His legacy will undeniably inspire and guide future generations in the battle against climate change and in pursuit of climate justice.
During the last years of his remarkable life, Saleem ardently pushed for the creation of an international fund to address #lossanddamage. The decision to establish funding arrangements at COP27 last year was a breakthrough he had helped to achieve. However, the Transitional Committee tasked to operationalise this fund now finds itself in a deadlock. Earlier this month, it could not reach agreement at what was supposed to be its final meeting. A last-minute make-it-or-break-it meeting has been scheduled for 3–4 November in Abu Dhabi.
I call on the co-chairs and all members of the Transitional Committee to honour Saleem’s indelible legacy of dedication, passion and transformative leadership. Allow yourselves to be among the many inspired and guided by his work. You have the power to shape the future of climate action, and that of the lives of vulnerable people around the world. Let Saleem’s legacy guide you towards the dream he fervently championed and the choices that future generations will laud.
The ultimate homage to Saleem’s unwavering commitment to climate justice would be to finalise the loss and damage fund in the coming week and launch it at COP28 later this year. Commemorating the fund in honour of Dr Saleemul Huq would serve as a constant reminder of the responsibilities that lie ahead. In the wake of losing such a giant, let's rally to achieve what he fought for. #TheSaleemulHuqLossAndDamageFund
Mohamed Nasr Sumaya Zakieldeen Hana AlHashimi Albara Tawfiq Angela Rivera Matheus Bastos Avinash Persaud Diann Black-Layne Adao Soares Barbosa M. Hafijul Islam khan Manjeet Dhakal Ph. D. Gayane Gabrielyan Georg Børsting Jean-Christophe Donnellier Jaime de Bourbon de Parme Dr. Heike Henn Jun Yamazaki Youssef Nassef Simon Stiell
