At WRI since early 2019, Carter Brandon works on the economics and finance of climate change adaptation. This includes how countries can achieve green and resilient recoveries from the COVID pandemic; how private firms can better price risk in financial markets; and how countries and donors can best address the impending debt crisis. He is also interested in nature-based solutions and prioritizing the management of critical natural assets.

Prior to joining WRI, Carter had a 24-year career at the World Bank, culminating as Global Lead Economist for the Environment/Natural Resources and Climate Change Departments. His primary interests are in the linkages between environmental degradation, climate change, welfare, and growth. While at the World Bank, he also held various senior and management positions concerning the environment, agriculture, poverty, and climate change, including five years in Buenos Aires and four in Beijing.

Earlier in his career, he started and ran the Development Economics Group, an economics consulting firm, for seven years. He also made a documentary film on political unrest in Chiapas, Mexico, and played bassoon in the Paris Symphony. He graduated from Harvard University (B.A.) and Oxford University (MSc and DPhil, ABD, Agricultural Economics), where he was a Rhodes Scholar.