Jim Watson

Jim Watson is Professor of Energy Policy and Director of the Institute of Sustainable Resources, University College London (UCL). He is also Research Director of the Climate Compatible Growth programme, funded by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO). He was previously Director of the UK Energy Research Centre and the Sussex Energy Group, University of Sussex.

His research focuses on climate change, energy and innovation policies. This includes leading interdisciplinary programmes on the UK energy transition, and international collaborations with colleagues in China, India, Ghana and Zambia.

He frequently advises UK government departments and other organisations, and has been a Specialist Adviser with four UK Parliamentary committees. He is chair of the technical advisory group to the World Bank’s Energy Sector Management Assistance Programme (ESMAP), a judge for the Queens Awards (on sustainable development), and an executive committee member of the Tyler Prize for Environmental Achievement.