James Cameron is an exceptional leader and trailblazer in the global climate change and sustainability movement, recognized as a prominent sustainability champion. A qualified barrister, with over 30 years of diverse experience across financial, legal, academic, and governmental sectors, James has become an authoritative figure in addressing the urgent challenges... Read more
James Cameron is an exceptional leader and trailblazer in the global climate change and sustainability movement, recognized as a prominent sustainability champion. A qualified barrister, with over 30 years of diverse experience across financial, legal, academic, and governmental sectors, James has become an authoritative figure in addressing the urgent challenges of sustainable development.
His work is dedicated to fighting climate change and its profound impact on humanity and the natural world. James devotes much of his expertise to advising companies eager to transition to low-carbon business models, as well as established energy, travel, and consumer goods firms seeking to decarbonize their products, services, and supply chains.
As a member of multiple advisory boards and committees, including the Blue Marine Foundation, Howden Group, Ignite, Korn Ferry, Octopus (ORIT), Orbital Energy, Pollination Group, Smart Surfaces Coalition, Sun New Energy, Undaunted, World Economic Forum, and Worthwhile Capital, James brings unparalleled insight and influence to the sustainability landscape.
He is the Non-Executive Chair of the Professional Cricketers’ Association and the Chairman of Crown Agents, a not-for-profit international development organization. His previous leadership as Chairman of the Overseas Development Institute (2012-2020) underscores his commitment to impactful change. Additionally, as the Director of Ignite Power, Africa’s fastest-growing solar company and recipient of the Zayed Sustainability Prize, along with his roles as a Non-Executive Director of Orbital Energy and former Chairman of the energy tech startup Verv, James continues to shape the future of sustainable innovation.
Previously, as Chairman of Climate Change Capital (CCC), which he co-founded in 2003, he transformed the organization into a leading investment bank managing $1.6 billion with a team of 150. At his prior role as Counsel at Baker & McKenzie, he established and led their Climate Change and Clean Energy Practice. James also co-founded the Foundation for International Environmental Law and Development (FIELD) and the Centre for International Environmental Law (CIEL). His extensive legal career includes pivotal advisory roles in negotiating the UNFCCC and Kyoto Protocol for the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS).
James is a distinguished Friend of COP26 and has served as a trusted advisor to presidencies and delegations for COP20, COP22, COP23, and COP28. His academic appointments at institutions, such as Yale, Oxford, Cambridge, Imperial College London, the Grantham Institute, the Royal Society for the Encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce (RSA), and the Colorado School of Mines, reflect his commitment to advancing knowledge and expertise in the field of sustainability.