In this Convo of Flanigan’s Eco-Logic, Ted speaks with Dr. Robert Kay, Founder of 319Climate, a boutique consulting and innovation firm dedicated to accelerating the transition to a low carbon, climate resilient and equitable future. Robert is an international climate expert with a mission to spearhead initiatives that foster a climate resilient, low-carbon future. 

He offers 33 years of experience in climate change, sustainability, and resilience planning. Robert has worked in a variety of roles in the government, consulting, and academic sectors providing advice on sustainability for various energy resilience projects throughout California.  Since the late 1980s, he has either led or participated in climate change projects globally, ranging from local-scale projects worldwide (including for local, state, national, and multilateral agencies) to global analysis for the United Nations. He specializes in topics such as greenhouse gas emissions, sea level rise adaptation, and sustainable facilities management.

He and Ted discuss his background, growing up in Yorkshire, England. They also discuss his family, early influences, and sense of exploration. His father was an electrical engineer at the local utility and his mother was a homemaker and market researcher on consumer goods. His parents were avid hikers, and his love of the outdoors is what got him in the climate space. 

They dig into his early coastal zone management and climate risk management works. Robert demonstrates throughout his career that he has brought people together to solve complex problems. He is a sought-after facilitator and engagement specialist. He shares highlights from providing expert guidance to Pacific Island delegations to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP) including COP15 (Copenhagen), COP21 (Paris), COP22 (Marrakesh), COP23 (Bonn), and COP25 in Madrid. He concludes by sharing his excitement for upcoming trips, including NY Climate Week next week!