Andrew Light

Andrew Light is a Distinguished University Professor of Philosophy, Public Policy, and Atmospheric Sciences at George Mason University, where he also serves as Director of the Institute for Philosophy & Public Policy and holds an affiliate appointment in the College of Science. He returned to GMU in January 2025 after a four-year tenure as Assistant Secretary of Energy for International Affairs at the U.S. Department of Energy, where he led global clean energy diplomacy and climate initiatives.

His research interests include international climate policy, environmental ethics, climate change diplomacy, clean energy technology cooperation, and risk analysis. His academic work is deeply intertwined with policy practice, focusing on global environmental governance, carbon markets, solar geoengineering, and U.S.-China-India climate cooperation.

His recent publications reflect a strong trend in climate policy, international cooperation, and environmental governance, with key contributions to national and international assessments. These works emphasize interdisciplinary approaches to climate risk, mitigation strategies, and ethical governance of emerging technologies.

• Administrator's Gold Medal Award from the U.S. National Nuclear Security Administration (2024)
• Secretary of Energy Achievement Award (2023)
• Superior Honor Award from the U.S. Department of State (2016)
• Public Philosophy Award from the International Society for Environmental Ethics (2017)

Light has advised government and non-governmental organizations extensively, contributing to major policy reports and serving in high-level advisory roles. He has led international teams, negotiated bilateral climate agreements, and directed emergency energy assistance programs, particularly in response to the war in Ukraine. He has also been a principal contributor to the Fourth U.S. National Climate Assessment and reports for the National Academies of Science.

He is affiliated with research centers including the Institute for Philosophy & Public Policy and has previously held senior fellow positions at the World Resources Institute and the Center for American Progress. His work bridges academic scholarship and real-world climate diplomacy, with a focus on building transnational cooperation and advancing equitable climate solutions.