Energy Innovation today congratulated its Founder Hal Harvey on his retirement after 38 years of service mitigating climate change, including a decade leading the firm.
Hal founded Energy Innovation in 2012 to mitigate climate change by promoting the most effective and equitable energy policies, based on science and data, focused on the world’s largest emitting nations and economic sectors. Prior to Energy Innovation he served as Founder and Chief Executive Officer of the Energy Foundation, a philanthropy supporting policy solutions to advance renewable energy and energy efficiency, from 1991 to 2002. From 2002 to 2008, Hal served as Environment Program Director at the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation. After that, Hal served as Founder and CEO of ClimateWorks Foundation, a global platform for philanthropy to innovate and accelerate climate solutions at scale, before founding Energy Innovation.
”Working with smart, dedicated people, and making a difference measured in billions of tons of carbon abatement are the twin motivators—and rewards—for this work. That’s all been leavened by outstanding support, friendship, guidance, and partnership throughout my career,” said Hal. “I won’t say goodbye because I don’t intend to evaporate quite yet—but I am very much looking forward to the chance to read a book, travel for curiosity’s sake, and wander some trails.”
Hal authored hundreds of papers on the need to address climate change, solutions to eliminate greenhouse gases, policies that mitigate climate and improve national security, and philanthropy as a tool for impact. He published four books, Security Without War: A Post-Cold War Foreign Policy, Money Well Spent: A Strategic Plan for Smart Philanthropy, Designing Climate Solutions: A Policy Guide for Low-Carbon Energy, and The Big Fix.
Hal has served on energy panels appointed by Presidents Bush (41) and Clinton, and helped launch countless environmental and climate non-profits, all while serving on dozens of boards over the years. He has received numerous awards for his work to fight climate change including the Heinz Award for the Environment in 2016, the United Nation’s Clean Air and Climate Change Award in 2018, and the California Air Resources Board’s Haagen-Smit Clean Air Award in 2019.
“Hal has left an indelible mark on history. It’s no exaggeration to say he has inspired a generation of climate policy leaders and thinkers. He has a singular clarity of vision, a relentless focus on the solutions that can scale up to meet the climate crisis in time, a seemingly inexhaustible reservoir of energy, the ability to bring people together to build effective organizations that are inspired to win, and an almost magical capability to make it all happen,” said Sonia Aggarwal, CEO of Energy Innovation. “He has dedicated his life’s work to all of us, and people across the globe will be able to breathe a little easier while living better lives, because of Hal.”
Sonia became Energy Innovation’s CEO in February of 2023, as the first step in Hal’s transition, and will continue her role as CEO.
“I have the deepest thanks for the many people who have supported this work, joined in research and writing, played their hands at helping me make this transition toward retirement, and offered friendship at every turn,” said Harvey. “Maximum thanks to you all!”
Hal’s tireless work on behalf of clean air, strong economies, and a safe climate has made a difference helping policymakers advance climate change solutions that work for people and their communities. Please join our team at Energy Innovation in thanking him for his leadership and service to the United States and world.