Entrepreneur and climate advocate Christopher (Chris) Kemper was designated the UN Environment Programme’s (UNEP) Advocate for Partnerships during the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York. In his new role, Kemper will bring partners together to mobilize urgent collaborative action to address the triple planetary crisis of climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution and waste.
Chris Kemper is the first UNEP Advocate to serve in this role, which recognizes his track record as an entrepreneurial leader building technology solutions to climate change. As Advocate for Partnerships, he will work with UNEP to strengthen outreach to a wide range of stakeholders, to engage young changemakers, and to mobilize resources to drive greater awareness and action on the most urgent environmental issues. In doing so, he will contribute to addressing key dimensions of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Kemper is passionate about driving environmental change at scale, through his business endeavors, advocacy and philanthropy. As the Chairman, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Palmetto, he believes in democratizing access to clean energy, and that the increasing frequency of extreme climate change events is finally driving the realization that clean energy makes good business sense for the planet’s survival. Prior to founding his company, he refined his skill sets in both policy and finance through work with organizations including the UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific.
“I am honored and humbled to be considered and designated as a Advocate for Partnerships by the United Nations,” said Kemper. “I believe that everyone is a stakeholder in the mission to address the triple planetary crisis. In this designation, my goal is to further bring awareness to the important environmental mission of UNEP and engage emerging entrepreneurs who seek change to our current trajectory in climate. I’m here to make an impact.”
The United Nations has a tradition of enlisting the volunteer services and support of prominent individuals to highlight priority issues of the organization and to draw attention to its activities. This designation will contribute to efforts to raise awareness of UNEP’s aims, objectives and priorities on effective environmental action, while mobilizing cooperation and resources among a wide range of stakeholders.