Annie Petsonk

International Counsel for Environmental Defense

Annie Petsonk is International Counsel for Environmental Defense, a 400,000-member advocacy organization specializing in the development of innovative, economically sensible solutions to environmental problems.

Ms. Petsonk was closely involved in the design of the 1997 Kyoto Protocol on Climate Change and in the analytical work that preceded Russian President Vladimir Putin’s decision to ratify the treaty.

Her current priorities include helping the more than 140 countries that have joined Kyoto participate in its global emissions trading market, which opened its doors for business on February 16, 2005.

Prior to coming to Environmental Defense, Ms. Petsonk served in the administration of President George H.W. Bush, as Director of Trade and Environment Affairs at the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative, in the Executive Office of the President.

She has also worked in the U.S. Department of Justice, the United Nations Environment Program in Nairobi, in the private bar and in local government.

Ms. Petsonk has published many articles on climate change, appeared on numerous television and radio shows and speaks on climate change and economic growth around the country, including Stanford’s Graduate School of Business and Harvard Business School.

Ms. Petsonk is a graduate of The Colorado College and Harvard Law School. She also teaches at George Washington University Law School.