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Robert W. van Zwieten Q&A


Highlights from our Professional Learning Workshop: Q&A with Robert W. van Zwieten

By Laurel Zaima and Cassie Xu
|September 26, 2022

Provided by Columbia Climate School Professional Learning Seminar For lifelong learners seeking to broaden and deepen the knowledge of experts in the field of climate and sustainable development in Colombia. These courses are designed to help learners understand, analyze and apply cutting-edge research to address the complex issues of climate change. In professional learning workshops, participants interact with leading faculty and researchers in a small-group setting for professional guidance and personalized interactions, taking into account the flexibility needed for careers and jet lag.Knowledge and skills gained from these workshops Accelerates participants’ educational and career aspirations Possess many of the skills most in demand today.

This fall, the Professional Learning Program will offer two workshops. This ‘Climate Risk and the Law‘ hosted seminar Romany Weber of Sabine Center for Climate Change Law Will reveal how executive agencies are and will use climate science to inform policy-making and regulatory action on climate change. This ‘Forecast, Forecast or Omen – Weather and Climate Modeling‘ hosted seminar Simon Mason of International Institute for Climate and Society Will examine how good (or bad) weather and climate forecasts are, and address the question of how much confidence one can have in any model.

We will be hosting an information session for the 2022 Fall Symposium. A “Climate Risk and the Law” information session will be held on September 20 from 5:30pm to 6:00pm EST; Sign up here. “Prediction, Prediction or Omen – Weather and Climate Modelling” information session on September 27th from 5:30pm to 6:00pm EST; Sign up here. Participants in the information session will receive a 10% discount to use during registration.Encourage those interested in future products to subscribe to our mailing list Receive the latest information.

Robert W. van Zwitten headshot

Based in Manila, Philippines, Robert W. van Zwieten has three and a half years of experience in global finance and sustainable development. During his career, he has focused on sustainable finance, energy transition and strategic partnerships.

Participants include working professionals looking to further develop their current career or change career paths, as well as individuals committed to lifelong learning. We recently had the opportunity to learn more about one of our workshop participants, Robert W. van Zwieten. Below, he shares more about his current role, the seminars he attends, his motivation to sign up for professional studies, and the impact the seminars have had on his career and professional interests.

Tell us about your current role and your responsibilities in the organization.

Professionally, I’ve become a “portfolio guy,” so I wear a few different hats, which keep my work life busy, exciting, and rewarding. All of my engagements are at the intersection of sustainability, finance and climate. I am currently a part-time managing director at PwC Southeast Asia, focusing on sustainable finance, energy transition and strategic partnerships. I continue to run my own boutique consulting firm and serve on the boards of several companies as well as advisor to development agencies, investment funds and family offices. I’m also a fellow at the Climate Policy Initiative, an ambassador for the World Benchmarking Alliance, and finally, I teach adjunct finance at the Asian School of Management in Manila.

What attracted you to the Columbia Climate School’s professional study program in the last academic year?

First, deeply involved in clean and renewable energy, climate finance, and the energy transition in Southeast Asia, I am delighted to learn that my alma mater, Columbia University, has established the Columbia Climate Institute with the level of academic rigor you would expect from Columbia. Second, I am committed to continuous learning in my field of work. To do this, you need to find a high-quality study program that fits your professional schedule, and this product does a great job. It just spent many very early mornings in my Asian time zone. Finally, I completed my LLM. At Columbia Law School, so it’s kind of like a virtual home too.

What workshops have you attended and what valuable knowledge, skills and/or tools have you gained from this experience?

I participated in “Using Capital to Address Climate: Science, Sustainability and ESG” and “Decarbonization – National and Corporate Policy and Practice”. In the Leveraging Capital program, we delved into the latest climate change science and its drivers, which was instructive to me, as well as the downstream impacts of climate change. The meeting on the carbon credit market has greatly deepened my understanding. In the decarbonisation programme, the focus is on the opportunities and challenges of decarbonisation and their implications in practice from the multidisciplinary perspectives of international law, economics, development and climate policy, technology, finance and carbon or greenhouse gas accounting. Case studies are helpful in enriching our learning.

How do you think the professional learning opportunities at Columbia Climate School contribute to your current role and overall career goals?

As a consultant, consultant and entrepreneur, you should update your knowledge base and continually challenge yourself intellectually for your clients and yourself. The school’s curriculum allows you to gain more depth and breadth of knowledge and insight in the field of climate. My work on energy transitions, carbon markets and EV adoption in Asia has benefited greatly from these projects. Once I recover from those early mornings, I’ll be back for more fulfillment!

Do you have any feedback or suggestions for others who are considering attending an upcoming workshop?

Climate change is the greatest challenge facing this and the next generation, and an existential challenge for all life on this planet. I can’t imagine any work where in-depth knowledge of this challenge would not be useful. Let yourself know the facts and make a difference!




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