ICAT provides countries with tailored support and practical tools and methodologies to build the robust transparency frameworks needed for effective climate action in sync with national development priorities.
For countries to take effective climate action in line with the objectives of the Paris Agreement, they need to have sound data and information.
Effective data frameworks help design and implement strong, evidence-based policies and actions to address climate change.
Strong transparency frameworks enable national ownership and the integration of stakeholders, and they ensure accountability at the national and international level.
By being able to demonstrate the impact of climate policies on a country’s sustainable development, transparency frameworks enable climate policy to be integrated into national planning processes, improve finance mobilization and enable transformational change.
This enables a country to effectively address climate change and advance their national development priorities at the same time.
ICAT was created as a multi-stakeholder partnership and is governed by a Donor Steering Committee together with an Advisory Committee.
The Advisory Committee helps steer ICAT by providing strategic advice on its overall vision, direction, and growth.
The Initiative Coordination Team, comprised of leaders from across ICAT’s implementing partners, manages the country and capacity building work.
ICAT Director
Dr. Wuester leads ICAT and directs its day-to-day work based on the Initiative’s strategic plan. He manages ICAT’s secretariat and acts as the public face of the Initiative.
Dr. Wuester comes with a rich and longstanding experience in climate change and sustainable development. Prior to joining ICAT, he worked in the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) overseeing the Agency’s work on knowledge, policy, and finance. Previously, Dr. Wuester served the Green Climate Fund (GCF) as Senior Manager at the Interim Secretariat. He also worked in several positions within the United Nations system, as Special Adviser to the Executive Secretary of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), and at the UN Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) in several roles in the secretariat of the Convention on Transboundary Air Pollution.
Dr. Wuester holds a PhD in Economics from the University of Munich, where he started his career as assistant professor.
Senior Programme Officer
Oleg is Senior Programme Officer and coordinates the development and implementation of ICAT’s strategies and regional and country projects.
Oleg brings to ICAT hands-on experience in climate finance, MRV, and carbon markets. Prior to ICAT, he managed climate finance accounting and reporting at the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD). Previously Oleg developed the carbon markets regulatory framework at the UNFCCC secretariat and provided climate change consultancy services in Ukraine.
Oleg holds a degree in nuclear engineering from the Ukrainian National Technical University. He is based in ICAT’s Bonn office in Germany.
Programme Officer
Celeste is Programme Officer, providing support to ICAT’s country/regional engagement and the ICAT toolbox.
Prior to joining UNOPS, she worked as a Climate Policy Analyst focusing on Latin American countries at Climate Analytics Berlin. Before relocating to Germany, Celeste worked as a coordinator for Paraguay’s national GHG inventory with the Ministry of Environment and the United Nations Development Programme, where her role involved providing support and advice on topics such as transparency negotiations, national communications and BURs, climate policies, and project development.
Celeste holds a degree in Environmental Engineering from the National University of Asuncion, as well as a master’s degree in Environmental Management with a major in Sustainable Development from the University of Queensland in Australia.
Celeste is based in ICAT’s Bonn office in Germany.
Climate Change Expert
Hannah is a Climate Change Expert and manages ICAT’s training and capacity development activities, including coordinating the development of the ICAT toolbox.
Before joining ICAT, she worked for UNOPS where she was responsible for coordinating and managing global capacity building and training programmes. She has also worked in academic institutions as a lecturer in climate change and disaster risk reduction, and has worked in various locations in the Asia-Pacific region on climate change, disaster risk reduction and adaptation programmes.
Hannah holds a PhD in Development Studies and is based out of ICAT’s Copenhagen office in Denmark.
Project Officer
Sarah is a Project Officer of ICAT, managing grant and procurement operations as well as ICAT’s M&E framework.
Prior to ICAT, Sarah has worked with project and information management, coordination and logistics in the humanitarian/development sector.
Sarah is based in UNOPS offices in the UNCity in Copenhagen.
Project Support Officer
Lauren is ICAT’s Project Support Officer and supports grant operations as well as managing ICAT’s M&E framework.
Prior to ICAT, Lauren worked as a teaching assistant at the Lund University Centre for Sustainability Studies, where she completed her Master of Environmental and Sustainability Science.
Lauren is based out of the UN City, Copenhagen.
Project Support Assistant
Teresa has joined ICAT to support in the areas of grant administration, procurement and general administration.
Prior to joining ICAT, Teresa has worked as an Administrative and Operations Coordinator in two different UN Peacekeeping missions, where she was responsible for monitoring and reporting on operational processes and targets related to Supply Chain and Performance Management. She further has worked on projects focused on facilitating cooperation between private and public stakeholders.
Teresa holds Bachelor’s degrees in Geography and Anthropology and in Business Administration. She is based in the ICAT office in Bonn.
Head of Communications
Karen is Head of Communications of the ICAT team.
Before joining ICAT, Karen was head of global communications for the Bonn-based Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), where she structured the organization’s communications strategy around storytelling. Previously, she worked with various communications agencies in South Africa, where she represented clients across the African continent. She then managed communications for the International AIDS Society, initially for its conferences in Durban and Barcelona; and later for the entire organization, based in Geneva. Before moving to Bonn to join FSC, Karen was head of communications for Eli Lilly’s Global Health Programs.
Karen holds a National Diploma in Public Relations and a BSc (Honors). She is based at ICAT’s Bonn office in Germany.
Communications Officer
Eleni is Communications Officer, supporting ICAT’s communications and outreach activities.
Prior to joining ICAT, Eleni worked in administrative, project management and communications roles for UNOPS and the European Parliament.
Eleni holds Masters degrees in International Law and Development Studies. She is based out of ICAT’s Bonn office in Germany.
Climate Change Intern
Aissatou is a Climate Change Intern in the ICAT secretariat, providing support to ICAT’s country and regional engagement.
Prior to joining ICAT, Aissatou worked at the OECD Centre for Entrepreneurship, SMEs Regions and Cities as a Policy Analyst Intern, where she investigated the impacts carried by green and digital transitions on the future of work. Aissatou also has previous experience working at the local level, supporting non-profits, foundations and city councils to achieve their climate strategy through data collection, policy research and project management.
Aissatou has a Master’s degree in Urban Governance from Sciences Po and a Bachelor’s in International Relations from the University of Essex.
She is based in Bonn, Germany.
Giorgia is a Climate Change Intern in the ICAT secretariat, providing support to ICAT’s country and regional engagement.
Giorgia is a researcher and designer originally from Sicily, Italy. Prior to joining ICAT Giorgia contributed to several projects in developing countries and conflict zones. Most recently, she collaborated with UNEP’s Climate Finance Unit, Dalberg and the Arava Institute for Environmental Studies to tackle the Middle East’s environmental issues through peace-building.
Giorgia has an academic background in design for social impact from NABA University in Milan, research on refugees rights from the Universidad Diego Portales in Chile, and environmental studies from the Department of Environment & Earth Sciences of Tel Aviv University.
She is based out of ICAT’s offices in Bonn, Germany.
Partners
*The ClimateWorks Foundation was an ICAT donor until 2024.
