Paul Mitchell

Principal researcher (locally-led adaptation and climate finance), IIED's Climate Change research group

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Telephone: +44 (0)20 3463 7399
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Paul has 20 years’ experience supporting the development, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of adaptation projects and strategies at local, national and regional scales across the Asia-Pacific and Africa. He has a particular focus on supporting community-based and locally-led adaptation and enhancing the accessibility of climate finance at the local level.

Expertise

Paul is a specialist in community-based and locally-led approaches to addressing climate change challenges. He is also experienced in navigating climate finance mechanisms to support enhanced access, and usability, of funds at the local level.

Before IIED

Before IIED, Paul worked across government and non-government organisations supporting enhanced integration of climate change risks and resilience building into development programmes and systems. He was most recently Save the Children’s principle climate change advisor and technical team lead for development of climate finance projects including for the Green Climate Fund. 

Prior to that, Paul was deputy team leader in the Australia Pacific Climate Partnership Support Unit (helping the Australian aid programme better address the impacts of climate change). Earlier, he managed the Australian Government’s $328 million, five-year International Climate Change Adaptation Initiative – Australia’s first investment in international adaptation. 

Education

  • Master of international social development, University of New South Wales (Australia)
  • BA (hons) in cultural studies (semiotics, sociology and communications), University of New South Wales (Australia)/University of Washington (USA)

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