The Environment Directorate is responsible for Environmental Performance Reviews of Member Countries, the economic analysis of policy instruments used to improve environmental outcomes and a wide range of work related to water, biodiversity, climate and chemicals. Mr. Upton played a key role in the development of the OECD’s Green Growth Strategy.

The team he leads recently released the Environmental Outlook to 2050 – a model-based analysis of the environmental consequences of business-as-usual growth at the global level.  The Directorate is now working to develop a better understanding of the economic costs of environmental damage and the benefits of taking pre-emptive action to limit that damage.

Mr. Upton is a former New Zealand Parliamentarian whose political career, between 1981 and 2000, included nine years as a Minister.  His portfolios included Environment, Research, Biosecurity, Health and State Services.