Philip Gass

Director, Energy Program, Just Transitions and Canada, IISD

Philip Gass is a Director, Energy Program, leading just transition and Canada workstreams. His recent focus has been on the development of fiscal policy approaches that facilitate GHG mitigation, including carbon pricing and subsidy reform.

Phil also works directly on economic approaches that promote sustainability, including the green economy, circular economy, and just transitions. Internationally and in Canada, his work focuses on the impacts of the transition from coal, oil, and gas to renewable energy, ensuring policy plans are equitable and inclusive. He has a background in political economy and stakeholder engagement, having worked in a legislative setting in Canada prior to joining IISD.

Lehlohonolo Jack

Programme Coordinator Youth@SAIIA

Lehlohonolo Jack Jack is a Programme Coordinator within the Youth Programme at the South African Institute of International Affairs (Youth@SAIIA). He specializes in youth-led climate action, air quality advocacy, and environmental justice, with a focus on facilitating equitable and people-centred approaches to socio-economic development and climate initiatives in South Africa.

He has practical experience supporting Just Transition processes through stakeholder engagement and research in South Africa’s coal belt. He has also earned a technical certification from the Career Path Development for Employment (CPD4E) Programme, which focuses on Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Capacity Development for Just Transition and Employment Promotion Projects, implemented by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ).

Felix Odhiambo Akello

GEAF Ambassador (Cohort 25’)

Felix Odhiambo Akello, GEAF Ambassador (Cohort 2025) is an energy and environment policy professional with the County Government of Kisumu, where he works on energy planning, resource mobilization. He contributes to advancing equitable and inclusive energy transitions in developing contexts. He serves on the Steering Committee of the Global Alliance for Buildings and Construction and the regional Steering Committee of Connective Cities. His work aligns local governance with global climate frameworks, promoting just transition pathways that balance sustainability, livelihoods, and community resilience.