Mr. Tao Wang is Senior Climate Change and Environmental Specialist at the World Bank (WB). He also serves as Adjunct Faculty at Johns Hopkins University, School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS) and Energy Policy and Climate Program; Adjunct Professor at The International Institute of Green Finance of the Central University of Finance and Economics. Mr. Wang brings his extensive knowledge and experience on climate change policy and strategy, sustainable finance, and environmental sustainability.

Mr. Wang led the development of the World Bank Group (WBG)’s 2021-2025 Climate Change Action Plan and spearheaded the efforts to mainstream climate change into the WBG’s operations, particularly in Africa and Asia.In 2014-2016, Mr. Wang acted as Director of Operations at the Green Climate Fund (GCF), the first global climate fund under the United Nations Climate Change Framework Convention. He led the establishment of the GCF’s operational policies, such as investment framework and strategy, and the development of the GCF’s inaugural investment projects, thereby contributing to the historical milestone of signing the Paris Agreement at COP24 in December 2015.

Prior to that, he worked at the Climate Investment Funds (CIF) as the Senior Portfolio and Risk Officer, overseeing the CIF operations portfolio and held several positions at the Carbon Finance Unit of the World Bank, leading the operations team in managing carbon finance projects over the world and establishing business processes and systems.

Earlier in his career, Mr. Wang was a consulting manager at Accenture (formerly Andersen Consulting), leading consulting engagements on business processes reengineering and integrated business solution implementation.Throughout his career, Mr. Wang has had extensive experience over the years in lecturing, coaching, and conducting training to government officials, private sector, and think tanks.

Mr. Tao Wang holds master’s degree in finance/financial engineering from University of California at Berkeley.

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Climate change policy and strategy, Sustainable finance, Environmental sustainability