Deb Harris
Vice President of Climate Change & Sustainability & Climate Center Senior Fellow, ICF
Deb Harris’ biggest accomplishment was leading a cross-collaborative team to develop and launch ICF’s decarbonization platform, CO2Sight. This innovative tool won the 2022 Environment + Energy Leader Top Product award and has been used to support dozens of ICF clients in exploring decarbonization scenarios and moving beyond pathways to achieve their climate and clean energy goals.
“For example, we recently used CO2Sight to model a possible path toward achieving ambitious U.S. decarbonization goals by 2050 with three solutions that are critical pieces of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) and Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) — transportation electrification, building decarbonization and clean energy,” she said.
Why Watch
In 2024, Harris proudly leads a 20-person team of decarbonization and sector experts, along with data analysts. Their mission: helping state and local governments and utilities achieve ambitious climate goals. They guide them through the complex planning process needed to access billions in federal funds under the BIL and IRA. They collaborate with experts across ICF, using proprietary cloud-based tools like CO2Sight™ to secure and deliver critical funds for program implementation.
The team recently joined forces with states and regions to create plans for the U.S. EPA Climate Pollution Reduction Grants program. These plans aim to secure over $4 billion to slash greenhouse gas emissions and help various communities by 2030. They’re also prioritizing investments in expanding cloud-based climate technologies to hasten decision-making, cut costs and promote fairness, all in pursuit of ambitious climate and clean energy goals.
“Deb’s personal passion for confronting climate change is apparent if everything she does,” said Marian Van Pelt, senior vice president, Climate and Clean Energy, and ICF Climate Center senior fellow. “She shows what’s possible when you bring together the right people with the right skills to help clients achieve their ambitious decarbonization goals and embrace the transition to clean energy.”
Harris said she is proud to help communities curb the causes of climate change through their everyday choices and actions.
“By arming them with actionable insights, today’s leaders are better able to make faster, more informed decisions about changes in infrastructure, transportation, energy, housing and more — and help their people and communities thrive in a low-carbon future,” she said. “It’s truly inspiring to know I have a hand in guiding this future.”
Fun fact: Harris and her husband operate a five-bedroom bed and breakfast in “Little” Washington, Virginia, in the foothills of the Blue Ridge mountains. They’re avid whiskey and wine collectors and love sharing their knowledge and experiences with guests and neighbors in their small town.
