David Higgins

David is the First Assistant Secretary, International Climate and Energy Division in the Australian Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water. David has a wealth of public sector experience in international and multilateral affairs, with over 25 years’ experience in the Australian Public Service. His roles have covered economic and finance policy matters in the Australian Treasury, Department of Industry, and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, where he served as a diplomat to the European Union and on secondment to the World Bank. Over the past 13 years, his main area of focus has been international climate change and is a leading policy expert on climate finance and the international climate change negotiations. David has extensive senior executive experience and has led several taskforces and occupied leadership roles in the Australian Government on international climate change, energy and finance policy. He has academic qualifications in science and law.