As the world of climate tech, cleantech, sustainability, infrastructure, and mobility constantly evolves, staying in the mix with the top climate leaders is crucial. While influencers populate many platforms, we chose LinkedIn for this list as it is a platform where business leaders converge.

Many people on LinkedIn are doing inspiring and critical work to turn back the worst effects of the climate crisis. Who might these influencers be? Here at Technica, we set out to figure this out and do the research for you.

Here’s how we decided to select our Top 25 LinkedIn influencers.

Follower counts

Numbers tell a story, at least that’s what we think as reporters and PR professionals. We spent some time selecting folks with sizable followings and, of course, who have made their follower counts known (a feature called Creator Mode). Some have even achieved LinkedIn’s coveted “Top Voice” designation.

Career and professional accomplishments

Not everyone on this list is a big company CEO. Some are managers and consultants, but in their careers, they have made significant contributions to the energy transition and sustainable business practices. Some have been doing this as far back as the 1980s—when cleantech was not nearly as cool as it is today.

Quality and frequency of LinkedIn posts

Posting every day isn’t something we were looking for (our social media feeds are already consuming us). But if they posted at least weekly with relevant content about a project or development, even if it wasn’t generated by their company, it made us sit up and take notice.

Final Thoughts:

Connecting directly with these influencers will not get you the relationship you might be looking for from them. Instead, simply follow them to read the news they share or the content they find most compelling. By engaging with this content, especially with thought-provoking comments, you may also discover other influencers closer to your particular vertical or domain expertise.

By following these prominent LinkedIn influencers in the cleantech and climate tech field, individuals can remain well-informed about industry insights, keeping them up-to-date on the latest trends and advancements. 

These influencers’ wealth of expertise and experience provides valuable guidance for professionals and enthusiasts alike. Their insights foster critical thinking and inspire action toward a more sustainable future.

Did we miss anyone? Let us know! Contact us here.

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1. Jean-Marc Jancovici

Founding Partner, Carbone 4 + President, The Shift Project
986,171 followers

Jean-Marc Jancovici is a French engineer and climate expert. Jancovici was one of the earlier proponents of phasing out fossil fuels from the economy, having founded the Carbone 4 consultancy in 2007.  With close to one million followers on LinkedIn, Jacovici—though not yet a household name—is for sure a climate influencer.

Jancovici lecturing at the French university Sciences Po

Source: Sciences Po

2. Jigar Shah

Director, Loan Programs, U.S. Department of Energy
724,441 followers

#deploydeploydeploy is the mantra of the head of the Loan Programs Office in the U.S. Department of Energy. Jigar Shah oversees the disbursement of close to $400 billion in loans and loan guarantees to companies and projects that help reduce planet-heating emissions. For those new to the industry, Jigar invented the now ubiquitous Power Purchase Agreement or PPA. That revolutionary financial model put solar on the path to mainstream status in the 2010s.

“One of the reasons they [chose] me is to make the office more exciting, make it more accessible and make entrepreneurs feel like someone who has been in their shoes before is there and will give them a fair hearing,” Shah said in an interview published in Bloomberg in March 2021, when Shah was appointed.

Source: Mother Jones

3. Roger Atkins

Founder, Electric Vehicles Outlook
301,323 followers

Already labeled a Top Voice by LinkedIn editors, UK-based Roger Atkins has been talking about electric vehicles for close to nine years. He runs the Electric Vehicles Outlook website and a podcast and speaks regularly at live events throughout the year.

Source: Electric Vehicles Outlook Ltd.

4. Jean-Pascal Tricoire

Chairman, Schneider Electric
299,255 followers

Starting as a project manager at Schneider Electric in the 1980s and working his way up to Chairman and CEO, Jean-Pascal Tricoire is a respected and well-known C-level executive in the area most critical for the energy transition: electrification.  Tricoire uses his LinkedIn profile as a platform for sharing insights and updates on energy efficiency, digital transformation, and sustainable solutions. He advocates leveraging digital technologies and electrical disruptions to empower individuals and maximize energy and resource utilization. 

Tricoire at the World Economic Forum in Davos
Source: LinkedIn

5. Bernard Looney

CEO, bp
181,987 followers

The CEO of a major oil company might seem like an odd choice for a list of sustainability influencers, especially when the supermajor made a record $28 billion in profit in 2022—more than double its 2021 profits while announcing it is scaling back its climate goals and deepening its investments in oil and gas in the same breath. While this does cast new doubts on big oil companies’ promises to embrace clean energy, Bernard Looney of bp does make the list because nearly all of his posts discuss how the company is taking steps to address the climate crisis.

While the cynical mind could chalk those posts up to greenwashing by a Big Oil player who helped get us into the collective climate mess we face now, keeping oneself informed of how the large oil companies weigh in on their efforts to halt the climate crisis is a critical responsibility.

Bernard Looney at the Economic Club in Washington, DC
Source: Bloomberg

6. Dr. Katharine Hayhoe

Chief Scientist, The Nature Conservancy + Professor, Texas Tech University
166,994 followers

Busy, busy: Dr. Katharine Hayhoe is both the Chief Scientist at The Nature Conservancy AND a Professor of Public Policy and Public Law at Texas Tech University. 

Considered a leading authority on climate change, Dr. Hayhose conducts research focused on developing and applying high-resolution climate projections to evaluate the future impacts of climate change on human society and the natural environment, with her LinkedIn posts reflecting these findings.

7. Kate Brandt

Chief Sustainability Officer, Google
157,433 followers

As the Chief Sustainability Officer at Google, Kate Brandt holds a highly visible senior position in one of the world’s largest and most valuable companies. Brandt’s experience in promoting sustainability across Google’s worldwide operations, products, and supply chains makes her a trusted source of guidance for driving positive change not only within organizations but also across society at large.  Her previous role as the Nation’s first Federal Chief Sustainability Officer in the Obama Administration., Back then, she was responsible for promoting sustainability across Federal Government operations, further adding to her credibility as a sustainability leader.

Source: LinkedIn

8. Isabelle Kocher de Leyritz

Chairman and CEO, Blunomy + Former CEO, Engie
138,745 followers

Isabelle Kocher de Leyritz is currently the Chairman and CEO of Blunomy, a company “inventing new rules for a decarbonized, circular & inclusive economy.” However, Kocher de Leyritz is best known for her former roles as CFO and CEO of French energy company Engie, which dabbled in nearly every corner of the energy industry: natural gas, coal, nuclear, hydro, wind, biomass, geothermal, and solar. Before Engie, Kocher de Leyritz worked at Engie’s predecessor company Suez.  Named a Top Voice on LinkedIn, she posts about decarbonization and renewable energy projects around the world.

 

Source: French Chamber of Commerce in Singapore

9. Lubomila Jordanova

Co-founder and CEO, Plan A + Co-founder, Greentech Alliance
115,977 followers

Lubomila Jordanova, co-founder and CEO of Plan A and co-founder of Greentech Alliance, is dedicated to driving climate action and sustainability. Jordanova shares her views on climate change mitigation, sustainable technologies, and environmental innovation, providing valuable perspectives on how individuals and organizations can make a difference.  Fun fact: Jordanova currently advises the Sustainability Board of French fashion house Chloé.

Source: Sheconomy

10. Joel Makower

Chairman and Co-Founder, GreenBiz
115,950 followers

Joel Makower is the Chairman and co-founder of GreenBiz, one of the earliest and longest-running media properties and trusted authorities on the energy transition and sustainable business practices. From humble beginnings as a blog, GreenBiz now offers live events, webcasts, and hundreds of articles from dozens of sustainability industry insiders. On LinkedIn, Joel shares his expertise on clean technology, environmental leadership, ESG, net-zero initiatives, the circular economy and sustainable finance. 

Source: Wikipedia Foundation

11. Mark Carney

UN Special Envoy on Climate Action and Finance + Chair and Head of Transition Investing, Brookfield Asset Management
109,892 followers

A self-proclaimed climate finance reformer, investor, public servant, and author, Mark Carney serves as the UN Special Envoy on Climate Action and Finance and also as the Chair and Head of Transition Investing for Brookfield Asset Management. Carney brings his extensive expertise to the forefront of the sustainability agenda. His LinkedIn posts focus on the effects of climate change on economics and how finance leaders can incorporate ESG and other initiatives into their investing and management strategies.

Source: The Guardian

12. Fatih Birol

Executive Director, International Energy Agency (IEA)
108,794 followers

Fatih Birol, the Executive Director of the International Energy Agency (IEA), holds significant influence in the cleantech space. Birol’s expertise in energy policies, climate change, and renewable energy makes him a trusted authority for research and findings related to the energy transition. Of course, the Paris-based IEA itself, with its regular policy recommendations, studies, and data on the entire global energy sector, makes it one of the most trusted authorities in the industry.

Source: LinkedIn

13. Alessandro Blasi

Special Advisor to the IEA Executive Director
86,182 followers

As Special Advisor to Fatih Birol, the Executive Director of the IEA, Alessandro Blasi comes next in line in Technica’s list of LinkedIn influencers. As a part of the team behind the renowned ‘Energy Bible,’ the World Energy Outlook, Blasi shares his passion and expertise in helping to shape global energy policies and provide critical insights. 

Source: LinkedIn

14. David Carlin

Head of Climate Risk, United Nations Environment Programme Finance Initiative
85,337 followers

As the Head of Climate Risk at the United Nations Environment Programme Finance Initiative (UNEP FI), David Carlin is an acknowledged authority in the field. Carlin’s work with UNEP FI’s TNFD pilot program on nature and biodiversity-related risks and the Net-Zero Banking Alliance (NZBA) showcases his involvement in cutting-edge initiatives.  His work as a Forbes contributor and Senior Associate at Cambridge’s Institute for Sustainability Leadership (CISL) further highlights his expertise and thought leadership.

 

Source: LinkedIn

15. Jennifer Granholm

U.S. Secretary of Energy
81,238 followers

The former Governor of Michigan, Jennifer Granholm is helping America achieve President Biden’s goal of net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 by advancing cutting-edge clean energy technologies and building an equitable clean energy future. The Department of Energy has played an increasingly critical role in the energy transition, and Secretary Granholm actively shares her insights and amplifies important federal government moves via posts on LinkedIn.

Source: Wikidata

16. James Carter

Principal Consultant, Vision Mobility
68,119 followers

James Carter, a Principal Consultant at Vision Mobility, is dedicated to advancing sustainable transportation solutions. He spent the bulk of his career in planning and forecasting for Toyota and brings this experience to clients seeking insights into electric mobility, autonomous vehicles, and urban transportation planning. Carter’s expertise in these areas makes him a trusted source for the latest innovations and trends in the mobility sector, especially decarbonized transportation.  

Source: Twitter

17. Omar AL-Ajaji

Climate Change & Sustainability Senior Consultant, E&Y
65,585 followers

As a Climate Change and Sustainability Senior Consultant at E&Y, Omar AL-Ajaji focuses on sustainable business practices and climate risk management. AL-Ajaji shares insights into corporate sustainability strategies, climate reporting, and sustainable finance.  AL-Ajaji is a rare sustainability influencer because he is based in Saudi Arabia, a region not typically associated with economic dependence on fossil fuels. Some of his posts, such as this post on ESG initiatives of the Saudi Stock Exchange, provide surprising insights into what the region is doing to advance the energy transition.

Source: LinkedIn

18. Christian Bruch

President and CEO, Siemens Energy
52,780 followers

Christian Bruch, the President and CEO of Siemens Energy, is a key influencer in sustainability and renewable energy. Bruch shares his thoughts and, of course, Siemens’ efforts related to net-zero initiatives,  the energy transition, and decarbonization goals.
“We want to ensure all people have equal opportunities to sustainable, reliable, and affordable energy – no matter where they are. That is what we stand for. That is our mission,” Bruch notes in his LinkedIn profile. ”For me, climate change is the biggest and most urgent challenge facing humankind. We need all hands on deck before it is too late.”

Source: S&P Global

19. Mary Powell

Chief Executive Officer and Director at Sunrun
30,061 followers

Mary Powell is the Chief Executive Officer of Sunrun, the solar installation and services company responsible for 18% of the residential solar market.  Powell previously spent 21 years at Green Mountain Power, Vermont’s largest utility, eventually becoming its President and CEO—making her an unlikely candidate to join and ultimately lead a solar energy company.  On the energy transition and utilities’ efforts to hinder investments in renewables, Powell notes that it’s a short-sighted view.

“You don’t resist innovation that consumers want and that can improve society. You figure out how to lean into it,” Powell said in a recent interview with the Wall Street Journal.

Source: LinkedIn

20. Darius Nassiry

VP, Climate Resilience and Sustainability, WSP + Director, Climate Finance Advisors
23,232 followers

As the VP of Climate Resilience and Sustainability at civil engineering firm WSP, Darius Nassiry focuses on climate risk assessment and sustainable infrastructure development, bringing these perspectives to his LinkedIn activities. Nassiry’s track record in climate investment research and program design showcases his ability to navigate the intersection between responsible investing and infrastructure.  Nassiry started his career in energy banking roles at J.P. Morgan and Deutsche Bank. He later managed the design of a new clean energy financing partnership with Norfund, Norway’s investment fund for developing countries.

Source: LinkedIn

21. Steve LeVine

Editor, The Electric, The Information
20,431 followers 

Steve LeVine is the Editor of The Electric, part of the news site The Information. He is an influential voice in the electric vehicle (EV) and mobility space, sharing insights into EV adoption, next-generation battery technology, autonomous driving, and the future of transportation. 

Source: The Electric

22. Zsuzsanna Tajti

Climate – ESG – Credit Risk & Regulatory / Financial Risk Management Advisory Practice, KPMG
17,329 followers

Zsuzsanna Tajti, a climate and financial risk management expert at consulting firm KPMG, uses LinkedIn to share her expertise in climate-related risks, environmental, social, and governance (ESG) reporting, and credit and financial risk management.  Tajti’s experience integrating sustainability into financial practices, assessing climate risks, and adopting new frameworks can help individuals and organizations navigate the complex, ever-shifting ESG and financial reporting landscape. Tajti spent most of her career in risk management at several large European banks, an experience she brings to the climate finance side.

Source: LinkedIn

23. Robert Höglund

Climate Advisor, Marginal Carbon + Member of Expert Group on Carbon Removals, European Commission + Co-founder, CDR.fyi
16,066 followers

As a climate advisor at Marginal Carbon, Robert Höglund helps solve the climate crisis by advising companies and organizations on carbon removal and climate policy.  Indeed, carbon capture and removal is a growing area—and a concern of environmentalists who believe that it simply gives license for oil and gas companies to keep drilling. Höglund’s LinkedIn posts serve to bring some transparency to this increasingly important component of the energy transition.

Source: LinkedIn

24. Andrew Beebe

Managing Director, Obvious Ventures
13,969 followers

Andrew Beebe is a Managing Director at Obvious Ventures, a venture capital firm investing in early-stage, purpose-driven entrepreneurs with $1 billion under management.  A cleantech innovator and influencer, before joining Obvious, Beebe co-founded Energy Innovations in 2003, which he grew from a business plan to a major solar developer serving such customers as Google, Disney, Sony Pictures, and British Telecom. After selling the company to Suntech in 2008, Andrew served as Chief Commercial Officer and Vice President of Global Product Strategy. During his tenure, Suntech became the largest solar company in the world.

Source: Entrepreneurs for Impact

25. Erika Myers

Executive Director, CharIN North America
13,769 followers

Erika Myers is committed to decarbonizing the world’s transportation systems. She is the Executive Director of CharIN North America, the non-profit trade association dedicated to accelerating EV adoption by advocating for universal interoperable charging standards.  Myers has deep expertise in the industry as a result of her work with automotive OEMs, charging-station companies, components suppliers, energy providers, and grid operators, among others. Before joining CharIN, Myers was the Director of Global eMobility for the World Resources Institute, the Principal of Transportation Electrification for the Smart Electric Power Alliance, and an alternative fuels and clean energy consultant with ICF International.  Fun fact: Myers is an EV influencer even in her free time, running and editing the popular EV Love blog.

Source: EV Love