Eric Reading
Chief Climate Officer, Abt Global
Leveraging decades of experience supporting federal, state and tribal clients on climate adaptation, disaster resilience, clean energy and environmental justice, Eric Reading and the climate and environment team at Abt Global expanded the impact of their work with a wider range of clients and programs.
Under the Comprehensive Action for Climate Change Initiative, Abt Global recently began advising 40 countries on the implementation of their Paris Agreement commitments, including Nationally Determined Contributions and National Adaptation Plans. Reading led the initial phase of this work, using COP 28 in Dubai as a springboard for the program. Abt Global is also working with countries of the Caribbean on financing climate adaptation and natural disaster resilience.
Abt’s climate and environment team has expanded rapidly, adding key talent and building upon their successful work with EPA, USAID and HUD to support new clients like the Departments of Transportation and Interior, as well as the Green Climate Fund. Abt continues to support critical programs like EPA’s Emissions & Generation Resource Integrated Database, enabling domestic companies to report Scope 2 emissions. The firm also expanded its work with the Global Methane Initiative, developing technical tools like the Solid Waste Emissions Estimation Tool which help governments around the world reduce emissions of methane, a greenhouse gas more than 20 times more potent than carbon dioxide.
Why Watch
In 2024, Reading’s team is focused on helping domestic clients make the greatest possible impact through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the Inflation Reduction Act. With the recent acquisition of TSPi, Abt Global added significant capability in rapidly deploying low code/no code technologies, and is supporting conservation, biodiversity and disaster response work of the USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service, NOAA Fisheries and the Small Business Administration.
“Climate change connects sectors and disciplines. It affects and is affected by pollution, natural resources, agriculture, health, energy, and housing.” Reading said. “Abt Global’s interdisciplinary expertise across these fields has allowed us to make an impact on the well-being of people through both mitigation and climate adaptation.”
Fun fact: Reading is also a licensed scuba instructor and spends as much time underwater as he can. When above the surface, he enjoys mountain biking and is learning whitewater kayaking.