Eric Usher

Manager, Seed Capital Programmes
United Nations Environment Programme

Eric Usher is Manager of Seed Capital Programmes within the United Nations Environment Programme, charged with engaging the finance sector in the shift to greener low carbon economies. During 2011 Eric was seconded to the climate change secretariat as Private Sector Lead within the Technical Support Unit for the Green Climate Fund’s Transitional Committee. Eric’s work with both UNEP and UNFCCC focuses on new means for financing climate infrastructure and new approaches to delivering cleaner energy services in regions without access. An example UNEP programme is the Seed Capital Assistance Facility, a joint undertaking with the Asian and African Development Banks aimed at increasing early stage investment activity in the clean energy sector. He is the recipient of various awards, including in 2007 the Energy Globe Award and in 2008 the Secretary General’s UN21 award. Before joining UNEP, Eric held the position of General Manager of Noor SA, a Moroccan solar rural electrification company. He holds an MBA from INSEAD in Fontainebleau, France, and a BSc in Electrical Engineering from Queen’s University in Kingston, Canada.