Eric J. Reading

Eric Reading serves as Abt Global’s first Chief Climate Officer. He is an interdisciplinary social scientist with a background in geography, economics, and urban planning and more than 25 years of experience in water, energy, natural resources, land use, and agriculture. He has worked with national and local governments and the private sector in dozens of countries on policy, finance, and institutional reforms for more sustainable systems.

In this role, Reading leads Abt’s work in climate change mitigation and adaptation across divisions, as well as its corporate sustainability program. In previous roles, he led programs in water, energy, natural resources, land use, agriculture, and health. He joined Abt Global in 2020 to lead the International Development Division, Abt’s largest business unit. In that capacity he oversaw programs which mobilized more than $7 billion of private investment in clean energy. He also oversaw the Climate Economic Analysis for Development, Investment, and Resilience program and Climate Integration Support Facility.

Before joining Abt Global in 2020, Reading was the Executive Vice President for Chemonics International. He oversaw all aspects of global development business with U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Department for International Trade (now the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office) and led digital transformation. As a board member, he spearheaded initiatives on impact investment and innovative finance. Previously he managed the firm’s two largest regional divisions through periods of rapid growth. He served in resident assignments in Egypt and Kosovo leading implementation of USAID water and energy programs.

Expertise

• Governance
• Water and sanitation
• Agriculture and watershed management
• Economic development
• Energy and enivronment
• Scaling results