• CERAWEEK
  • March 10 - 14, 2025

Christof Rühl

CGEP Columbia University and Crystol Energy

Senior Research Scholar

Christof Rühl is an internationally renowned economist, specializing in the triangle of macroeconomics, geopolitics, and energy. His skillset reflects senior positions in some of the world's best-known institutions in business, policy and academia; it includes significant commercial expertise in energy and asset allocation, policy advice, and academic research. 

Today, Christof advises companies, governments, and financial institutions globally; he is adjunct Senior Research Scholar at the Center on Global Energy Policy at Columbia University, New York; and was Senior Fellow at the Harvard Kennedy School (2019-21).

From 2014-19, Christof served as the Global Head of Research at the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, creating and managing ADIA’s first global research team across asset classes and responsible for economic, energy and geopolitical analysis. He was Group Chief Economist and Vice President of BP plc 2005 through 2014, credited with a significant contribution to the global debate on energy, climate change, and the links between energy and economic development. 

Christof joined BP from the world of economic policy making at the World Bank (1998–2005), including as the Bank’s Chief Economist in Russia and in Brazil; and at the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development in London (1996-98). 

He started his career in academia, first as a Research Associate in Germany, and then as an Assistant Professor in economics at the University of California, Los Angeles.

Christof serves as a global advisor and board director to companies in energy, finance and private equity. He is well published and a sought-after commentator and public speaker.

Sessions With Christof Rühl

Monday, 9 March

  • 07:30pm - 09:00pm (CST) / -

    Plastics Sustainability: The Challenges and Emerging solutions

    Downstream, Midstream & Chemicals

    Plastics sustainability is one of the top priorities and a potential disruptor for the chemical industry as well as determining the future role of plastics in our society. Much work remains to develop sustainable business models and behavioral models to address this systemic issue with transformation of the linear approach to plastics into a circular economy. Initiatives are underway to end plastics waste with an articulated approach of clean-up, infrastructure development, innovation, and communications. What is the status of these developments? What are the drivers and actions to ensure plastics sustainability from a policy perspective? Who should take responsibility across the value chain? How will technology and infrastructure development affect the outcome?

Tuesday, 10 March