About CAN

The Climate Action Network (CAN) is a worldwide network of over 365 Non- Governmental Organizations (NGOs) working to promote government and individual action to limit human-induced climate change to ecologically sustainable levels.

CAN members work to achieve this goal through the coordination of information exchange and NGO strategy on international, regional and national climate issues. CAN has seven regional offices which co-ordinate these efforts in Africa, Central and Eastern Europe, Europe, Latin America, North America, South Asia, and Southeast Asia.

CAN members place a high priority on both a healthy environment and development that "meets the needs of the present without comprimising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs" (Brundtland Commission). Climate Action Network's vision is to protect the atmosphere while allowing for sustainable and equitable development worldwide.

Staff

David Turnbull, Director

David began as the Director of Climate Action Network – International in October 2008. He works to coordinate the Network, which includes hundreds of NGOs in dozens of countries working together to develop and advocate for global solutions to the climate crisis. Before serving as Director of CAN-International, David was Communications Director of the US Climate Action Network, where he coordinated joint communications efforts for US NGOs, as well as for CAN-International at UNFCCC negotiations. Before joining the CAN family, David worked at the World Resources Institute as a Coordinator for a pair of international networks working to promote inclusive and accountable environmental governance. In a previous incarnation, David spent time observing the “world’s worst weather” and conducting climate research at the Mount Washington Weather Observatory in New Hampshire. He was born and raised in the Washington, DC area and received his B.A. from Dartmouth College in Geography and Environmental Studies.

The Three Track Approach

The Climate Action Network promotes a parallel three track approach to mitigating climate change which includes a Kyoto track, a ‘Greening’ (decarbonisation) track, and an Adaptation track. The goal of this approach is to facilitate action that will prevent harmful climate change and keep global warming as far below 2°C as possible.