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 expanded the impact of their work with a wider range of clients and programs.
Under the Comprehensive Action for Climate Change Initiative, Abt Global has started advising 40 countries on fulfilling their Paris Agreement obligations, such as Nationally Determined Contributions and National Adaptation Plans. Reading spearheaded this initiative, launching it at COP 28 in Dubai. Additionally, the team is assisting Caribbean nations with funding for climate adaptation and resilience against natural disasters.
Abt’s climate and environment team is growing fast, recruiting experts and extending its services to new clients including the departments of Transportation and Interior, as well as the Green Climate Fund. The team continues to work on important programs like the EPA’s Emissions & Generation Resource Integrated Database, which helps U.S. companies report Scope 2 emissions. The team also intensified its efforts with the Global Methane Initiative by creating tools like the Solid Waste Emissions Estimation Tool, aimed at cutting methane emissions globally, a significant contributor to greenhouse effects.
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 supports 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,” Reading said. “It affects and is affected by pollution, natural resources, agriculture, health, energy, and housing. 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.