The New York Climate Exchange, a first-of-its-kind organization working to implement innovative climate solutions in New York City and across the globe, on Nov. 9 announced Stephen Hammer as its founding chief executive officer.

Hammer is a global climate policy expert who has served as top climate advisor at the World Bank for the past decade. In his new role as CEO of The New York Climate Exchange, Hammer will lead a first-ever consortium of more than 45 partner organizations committed to solving the most pressing climate challenges of our time.

The University of Washington is a core member of The New York Climate Exchange, which launched in April. Several UW faculty members are already involved with the initiative, which brings together universities, governments and businesses to address climate change action and adaptation. Plans include an interactive living laboratory with 400,000 square feet of green-designed building space, incorporating research labs, classroom space, exhibits, greenhouses, mitigation technologies and housing facilities.

Maya Tolstoy, dean of the UW College of the Environment and board member of The Exchange, co-chaired the CEO search committee along with Chaouki T. Abdallah, vice chair of the board of directors and executive vice president for research at the Georgia Institute of Technology.

“We could not be more pleased to welcome Dr. Stephen Hammer, who embodies The Exchange’s mission,” Tolstoy and Abdallah said. “He has an international network and unrivaled New York City experience, and he’s uniquely qualified to be a ‘Convener-in-Chief’ for experts everywhere at a time when humanity needs it most.”