Sir Crispin Tickell, British Diplomat, Environmentalist and Academic

Sir Crispin Tickell (GCMG, KCVO) is internationally recognised as being one of the world's foremost authority’s on climate change. He is also an expert across a huge range of science policy issues, including; population issues, international affairs, conservation of biodiversity and the early history of the Earth. Currently the Director of the Policy Foresight Programme at the James Martin Institute for Science and Civilization at Oxford University, much of Sir Crispin’s career was spent in the Diplomatic Service. Distinguished posts included: Chef de Cabinet to the President of the European Commission, Ambassador to Mexico, Permanent Secretary of the Overseas Development Administration, and British Permanent Representative to the United Nations.

More recently, Sir Crispin has held positions including: Chancellor of the University of Kent, President of the Royal Geographical Society, Chairman of the Board of the Climate Institute of Washington DC, and Convenor of the Government Panel on Sustainable Development. He has been an adviser to three successive British Prime Ministers (helping to write Lady Thatcher’s landmark speech on global climate change, and later advising John Major and Tony Blair on sustainable development issues). He has also been a member of two Government Task Forces: one on Urban Regeneration, the other on Potentially Hazardous Near Earth Objects. Over the last two decades, Sir Crispin has deservedly received many honours and distinctions, including a KCVO and a GCMG.

When Sir Crispin first decided to study climate change and sustainable development, he was studying fields that were still in their infancy. Nowadays, these issues are high up on the Government agendas of every developed nation. For those who are privileged enough to hear Sir Crispin Tickell speak, it soon becomes clear why this man has made such a huge contribution to the way we all think about, and debate the most urgent environmental global issues today. With his sharp intellect and his flair for conveying the most complex of issues in a convincing, straightforward and interesting way, it is no wonder he has been a major force on governments, scientists and universities throughout the world.

Talks

Sir Crispin is available for short speeches, full lectures and key-note presentations. Each talk is tailored to suit the requirements of a particular audience and the time made available. Current themes include: Climate Change and World Affairs; Global Governance; Population Issues; Sustainability; The Future (Vulnerable Earth) and Global Water Problems.