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Steve Sawyer joined the Global Wind Energy Council as its first Secretary General in April 2007. The Global Wind Energy Council represents the major wind energy associations (China, India, Japan, South Korea, Brazil, Mexico, Australia, Canada, USA, Europe, Denmark, Germany, Italy, Spain & UK) as well as the major companies involved in the global wind industry. As of the end of 2012, cumulative global installed wind power capacity exceeded 282,000 MW, with over 44,000 MW installed in 2011, representing capital investment of more than 65 billion euros.

Mr. Sawyerhas worked in the energy and environment field since 1978, with a particular focus on climate change and renewable energy since 1988. He spent many years working for Greenpeace International, representing the organization at intergovernmental and industry fora primarily on energy and climate issues. He was the CEO of both Greenpeace USA (1986-1988) and Greenpeace International (1988-1993), and a member of its international Board of Directors (1983-1988 and 1993-1995). He has served as Head of Delegation to many UNFCCC negotiations, as well as leading delegations to many other intergovernmental negotiations.

At GWEC he is focussed on working with intergovernmental organisations such as the UNFCCC, IPCC, IRENA, IEA, IFC and ADB to ensure that wind power takes its rightful place in the energy options for the future; and with opening up new markets for the industry in Latin America, Africa and Asia.

Mr. Sawyer is also a founding member of both the REN21 Renewable Energy Policy Network and the IEA’s Renewable Industry Advisory Board. He advised the Chinese government on the formulation of its renewable energy legislation, as well as providing expert reviewing for the IPCC’s Working Group III.

Steve Sawyer passed away on July 31, 2019. We remember him as a member of this network in honor of his tremendous contributions to the deployment of renewables and his unrelenting passion for protecting our environment.

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