Crispian Olver is a Senior Adviser at WRI on Just Transitions and Country Platforms. His work is focused on supporting developing countries with the design and implementation of climate and development investment programmes. He also works part-time for the Country Platforms Hub, a new initiative launched at COP30 under the Action Agenda.

For the last five years, Crispian has run the Presidential Climate Commission in South Africa, an independent multistakeholder advisory body which played a key role in South Africa’s Just Energy Transition Partnership. Crispian has served the South African government in various capacities, including as Director-General of the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism (1999 – 2005). Crispian has a deep interest in climate, governance and development issues, and has published two books on urban governance and corruption. Crispian is a medical doctor by training and holds BSc (Med) (1983), Psychology Honours (1984) and MBChB (1988) degrees from the University of Cape Town.