Prof Stephen Peake

Professional biography

Stephen is Professor of Climate Change and Energy at the Open University.

He is also Fellow of the Judge Business School, University of Cambridge and Senior Associate of the Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership. Previously he has served as international civil servant at the International Energy Agency at the OECD in Paris and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), based in Bonn, Germany.  Originally trained as a physicist, Stephen gained a PhD in Engineering and Management from the University of Cambridge, From 1993-1995 he was Research Fellow in the Energy and Environmental Programme at the Royal Institute of International Affairs, Chatham House, London, during which time he was seconded for several months to Group Planning at Shell International.

In 2021 he published a new popular science book 10 Short Lessons in Renewable Energy, Michael O’Mara Books, London.  

Stephen is an expert advisor for the Advertising Standards Authority and has worked on many cases involving carbon offsets, renewable energy, waste, energy efficiency, air quality and fuel additives.

Stephen is a PI on the UK FCDO's Climate Compatible Growth Project together with Dr Ashutosh Bhagurka. 

He has consulted, facilitated or led workshops, coaching and leadership for many private, public and third sector organisations including: African Development Bank, Apple TV, Arup, Asian Development Bank, Ball Packaging Corporation, Bank of Communications (China), BBC, Chanel SA, CNN, Earthwatch, Firmenich, HSBC Global Leaders Kering (formerly PPR Group), Liontrust Asset Management, Lloyds Bank, Reuters, SABIC, Sainsbury’s Foundation, Saint Gobain Group, Santander, Tata Consulting, Tata Group, World Bank Group, WSP Engineering.

Stephen works on a range of topics including: Renewable Energy; Climate Science Communication; Sustainability Leadership; Systems Practice; Policy Science: Theory and Practice; Business Ethics and Sustainability; International Climate Finance

His professional accreditations include Principal Fellow of the Higher Education Academy and Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society.

Research interests

Energy Scenarios

Sustainability Leadership

Interdisciplinary approaches to understanding and communicating Climate Change

The role of arts and performance in scientific and engineering leadership training

Education for Sustainabilty with a particular focus on Business Schools

Teaching interests

Climate Change,  Energy, Sustainabilty

Business education and Corporate Sustainabilty 

Renewable Energy

Interdisciplinary approaches to Sustainabilty

Digital Photography

Impact and engagement

www.stephenpeake.com