The realities of country platforms for LDCs and SIDS: ten key lessons
25 April 2025
Liam Upson
Liam Upson was a senior researcher (LIFE-AR climate governance adviser) in IIED's Climate Change research group until June 2025
Liam has ten years’ experience working on climate-compatible development, financing resilience and climate adaptation policy and negotiations, working in sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia and the Middle East.
Expertise
Governance for climate risk and adaptive management; adaptation strategy; climate adaptation finance, including improving access mechanisms.
Before IIED
Before IIED, Liam worked for seven years in UK government departments, including the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (formerly DFID), Cabinet Office and the Department for Environment Food and Rural affairs, supporting inclusive policy development focused on climate resilience building and embedding climate adaptation into development planning and processes.
He holds experience working in Zambia, Ethiopia, Bangladesh and Uganda in climate research capacities.
Education
• MSc, climate change and international sevelopment, University of East Anglia (UK)
• BSc, environmental sciences (UK)
Publications