George David Banks

Senior Fellow (Climate and Trade Policy and Nuclear Energy)

Atlantic Council; former Special Assistant to The President

Dave Banks is an economist, political analyst, and policy advocate, focusing on climate change, energy, and trade. He is a senior fellow at the Atlantic Council and fellow at the Bipartisan Policy Center, focusing on U.S. foreign climate policy. Banks has published peer-reviewed articles, reports, and opinion editorials on a variety of issues, including climate change, civil nuclear power, and energy markets and trade. A native southeast Missourian, Banks was most recently Chief Strategist for the Republican side of the House Select Committee on the Climate Crisis. Previously, he was Executive Vice President at the DC-based American Council on Capital Formation. He was also President Donald Trump’s Special Assistant for International Energy and Environment at the National Economic and National Security Councils, Republican deputy staff director of the U.S. Senate Environment & Public Works Committee, Senior Advisor on International Affairs and Climate Change for President George W. Bush, a State Department foreign service officer, and CIA economic analyst. During his government tenure, Banks received multiple meritorious awards, including the EPA Climate Protection Award for Diplomacy, a Department of State Superior Honor Award for promoting U.S. diplomatic objectives for the environment, and a Commendable Service Award from the Central Intelligence Agency. He holds a JD from George Mason University and a MA in economics and baccalaureate degrees in history, economics, and political science from the University of Missouri at St. Louis.  

Sessions With George David Banks

Tuesday, 8 March

  • 10:00am - 10:30am (CST) / 08/mar/2022 04:00 pm - 08/mar/2022 04:30 pm

    Climate Advocates & the Energy Industry: Finding common ground
    Panel Energy Transition/Climate & Sustainability Carbon Management/Decarbonization

    Philanthropists and foundations have committed over $20 billion for climate change advocacy over the next two years. Some of this will fund work that is adverse to the energy industry. But much can be complementary. As the industry navigates the energy transition, new and collaborative pathways for engagement are emerging. Our expert panel will share insights on what we should expect from climate advocacy at a local, national, and global level, and how the industry can constructively engage. What do activist climate philanthropists and investors really want? How can the gap close between energy executives, climate donors, and investors? How can stakeholders move beyond demonization to align on an orderly energy transition?  

  • 10:30am - 11:00am (CST) / 08/mar/2022 04:30 pm - 08/mar/2022 05:00 pm

    Meetup - Climate Advocates & the Energy Industry
    Hydrogen/Clean Tech & Power Energy Transition/Climate & Sustainability

    Continue the conversation on the interplay between climate advocates and the industry, directly with the panelists from the preceding session on this topic.

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