Phil Jessup

Cities and Technology Programme Director

Philip Jessup has worked professionally on energy and climate issues for over 20 years, especially at the municipal level.

In 1991, Phil was the founding Director of ICLEI’s Cities for Climate Protection program, an international municipal network of 500 cities working on climate solutions. Since 1999, he has been Executive Director of the City of Toronto’s municipal climate agency, the Toronto Atmospheric Fund (TAF). 

In 2004, Phil was seconded to the Greater London Authority to assist the Deputy Mayor in setting up the London Climate Change Agency, where he facilitated London’s Better Buildings Partnership and the C40 network of climate leadership cities.

Phil specializes in technology incubation and innovative finance. Most recently at TAF, he developed pilot testing consortia to advance market transformation for plug-in hybrid vehicles and LED lighting. In addition, he helped to create an innovative leasing program to replace appliances in social housing, the Green Condo Loan Program, and TAF’s Mandate-Related Finance Program.

Phil received his BA in American Studies from Amherst College. After serving as a Peace Corps agricultural extension agent in Micronesia, he went on to receive a Masters in International Studies from the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies. Phil has authored numerous articles and reports on energy efficiency and climate solutions.