Professor Stephen Peake

Stephen is Professor of Climate Change and Energy at the Open University.

Previously he has served as international civil servant at the International Energy Agency at the OECD in Paris and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), based in Bonn, Germany. Originally trained as a physicist, Stephen gained a PhD in Engineering and Management from the University of Cambridge. From 1993-1995 he was Research Fellow in the Energy and Environmental Programme at the Royal Institute of International Affairs, Chatham House and Group Planning, Shell International, London. In 2021 he published a new popular science book 10 Short Lessons in Renewable Energy, Michael O’Mara Books, London.

Stephen is an expert advisor for the Advertising Standards Authority and has worked on many cases involving carbon offsets, renewable energy, waste, energy efficiency, air quality and fuel additives. Stephen is a PI on the UK FCDO's Climate Compatible Growth Project together with Dr Ashutosh Bhagurka.

He has consulted for and coached many private, public and third sector organisations including: African Development Bank, Apple TV, Arup, Asian Development Bank, Ball Packaging Corporation, Bank of Communications (China), BBC, Chanel SA, CNN, Earthwatch, Firmenich, HSBC Global Leaders Kering (formerly PPR Group), Liontrust Asset Management, Lloyds Bank, Reuters, SABIC, Sainsbury’s Foundation, Saint Gobain Group, Santander, Tata Consulting, Tata Group, World Bank Group, WSP Engineering.

Stephen works on a range of topics including: Renewable Energy; Climate Science Communication; Sustainability Leadership; Systems Practice; Design and Policy Sciences (theory and practices); Business Ethics and Sustainability; International Climate Finance.

His professional accreditations include Principal Fellow of the Higher Education Academy and Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society.