Paul Mitchell

Senior associate, climate action and governance

Over the past two decades, Paul has worked with communities and funders to design, implement and evaluate adaptation strategies and actions across the Asia-Pacific, Africa and the Caribbean. He focuses on supporting community-based and locally led adaptation and enhancing the accessibility and effective utilisation of climate finance at the local level.

He was a principal researcher, leading IIED's locally-led adaptation and climate finance team, until June 2026.

Expertise

Paul is an adaptation and resilience specialist, focused on 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, and has, to date, helped secure over US$150 million to support community-based and locally led adaptation action in hundreds of communities.

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.

Previous roles have included principal climate change advisor with Save the Children and technical team lead for development of climate finance projects including for the Green Climate Fund; as well as 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 US$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)