Dean Cooper Email & Phone Number

Warwick, Uk

Providing strategic direction and implementation management for WWF's energy-relatd activities worldwide. Co-ordinating programme areas that target energy access (including clean coking); energy efficiency; energy transition from fossil fules to renewables; just energy transformation: energy & nature. Overseeing a wide range of energy projects including clean energy access in Africa, coal to renewables in Asia, energy efficiency in iconic buildings worldwide. Raising global awareness of the need to end new oil and gas production. Working with partners to help ensure a Just Energy Transformation, taking account of the social (as well as environmental and economic) impact of the urgently required move away from fossil fuels. Launched at COP26 the Coalition Linking Energy And Nature for action (CLEANaction), bringing together policy-makers, private sector, financiers, technology and research to find those renewable energy solutions that cause least damage to nature (which is having a critical impact on all of us, including e.g. climate change, reduced food supplies, loss of biodiversity).

Rugby, Uk

Providing strategic direction, planning and policy development to achieve increased energy access for the benefit of poor, vulnerable and marginalised populations. Managing a wide-ranging portfolio of clean energy projects in five strategic areas: humanitarian energy, mini-grids, productive use, clean cooking, and last-mile distribution. Focal point for international teams in Africa, Asia and Latin America. Helping to drive, lead and co-ordinate business development and delivery. Ensuring the successful completion of high quality and high impact work for clean energy development. Responsible for building and maintaining strong relationships with a global network of energy associates and partner organisations.

The Hague Area, Netherlands

Joined SNV in 2017 as Global Co-ordinator for the energy sector, with a Eur80m project portfolio and annual new income target of Eur35m. Conceived the Integrated Decentralised Electrification in Africa initiative, combining mini-grids and stand-alone systems for remote communities. Worked closely with SNV offices across Africa and Asia for local market development based on energy access and productive use. As Market Development Manager from 2018, led new areas of business development including clean energy access for refugees, integrated energy planning, clean energy applications for agriculture supply chains, and solar irrigation for productive use.

Paris, France

Left UNEP in 2016 to explore more practical energy access applications with a lasting positive influence in developing countries. Re-established own Parallax business and provided advisory services to international development institutions involved with energy access in developing countries including the African Development Bank (AfDB), European Commission, UNEP and World Bank. On behalf of AfDB, wrote the African Strategy for Green Mini-Grids that was endorsed by Ministers in March 2017. Continued with the role of Steering Committee Chair for the UN Sustainable Energy for All (SE4All) High Impact Opportunity (HIO) for Clean Energy Mini-Grids. Annual income was about Eur120k.

Paris (France)

Worked in UNEP’s Energy Branch from 2009-16, heading the Energy Finance Unit with a team of 10 programme managers and support staff. Successfully co-ordinated a range of international energy finance programmes involving end-user finance, climate finance, innovative financial mechanisms, and several energy finance networks covering the public and private sectors and bilateral financing institutions. Average size of total 15-20 project portfolio was about US$50m.Took the position of energy finance programme manager for UNEP in 2012 to focus on co-ordinating the practical implementation of global energy finance initiatives. Established UNEP as a founding partner of the SEforAll “Clean Energy Mini-Grids High Impact Opportunity” in 2014, which now has 250+ members, and chaired the CEMG HIO Steering Committee of international donors, government agencies, and practitioners for three years from Jan 2015

Pretoria & Cape Town (South Africa), Oxford (Uk)

After an MBA (cum laude) in 1999-2001, established with a partner the Parallax-Sustainable Development Solutions offices in South Africa and the UK. Parallax worked with national and international clients in the energy/environment sector to facilitate sustainable clean energy use under local conditions. This involved practical methods to bring modern, commercially-viable and environmentally-friendly energy sources to poor communities as a basis for improved living conditions and income generation. Parallax’s activity was based upon a needs-driven approach to basic service requirements, particularly in developing countries, and the potential benefit from climate change mitigation measures.

Pretoria (South Africa), Gaborone (Botswana)

Moved to the South African Government Department of Minerals and Energy in 1996, then to Botswana in 1998, to manage energy sector co-operation projects between the EU and the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) on behalf of AEA Technology (UK) plc. This involved the investigation of public/private sector partnerships and motivation of investment in development activity. Provided invaluable knowledge and understanding of African conditions, direct experience of addressing the integrated development needs of poorer countries, and local capacity building to expand activity in emerging markets.

Brussels (Belgium)

Seconded from UKAEA to the European Commission in 1992 to manage international energy network programmes targeting appropriate energy applications for “third countries”. Focus on strategic planning, co-ordination, training and promotion of energy development activities; cost-effective allocation of budgets, monitoring & evaluation of activity; management of international partners.

London, Oxford (Uk)

Started work as a "high potential employee" in the Personnel Policy Branch of UKAEA. Transferred to the UK Government energy agency in 1991 (which was subsequently privatised) to support the national Best Practice Programme for energy efficiency. This marked the start of a career in clean energy solutions. Focus on training and Advanced Computer Methods.

Mba, Global Business Environment, Strategy, Management Accounting, Marketing, Operations Management, Distinction

1St Class Hons, Mathematics & Physics