Robert K. Dixon


Robert K. Dixon is an energy, environment, and economic expert at the Office of International Affairs, US Department of Energy headquarters in Washington, DC, USA.

Biography

Dixon is a native of Lee's Summit, Missouri. He graduated from Lee's Summit High School in 1973, and attended the University of Missouri, earning his Bachelor of Science in 1977, Master of Science in 1979, and Ph.D. in 1982.
Early in his professional life, he was a professor at the University of Minnesota and Auburn University.
Dixon is married to Anita L. Dixon, and has two children: Caitlin S. Dixon and Colin A. Dixon.

Career

He has been an adjunct and visiting professor, guest lecturer, executive in residence, and member of the university advisory boards at West Virginia University. He is currently an adjunct professor at American University in Washington, DC.
He led an industrial chemistry research and development program sponsored by Allied Chemical Corporation and co-authored a U.S. patent for fertilizer formulation and applications. He was a principal scientific advisor to, and startup investor in, Mycorr Tech, Inc., a biotechnology firm subsequently acquired by Plant Health Care, Inc.
Dixon is Editor-in-Chief of the international scientific journal, Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies for Global Change since 1997. He was Guest Editor of Climatic Change and Energy Policy and currently serves on the CRC Press Sustainable Energy Development Editorial Board. He has authored, co-authored, or edited more than 125 journal articles and several books on energy and environment science and policy topics, such as Adapting to Climate Change: An International Perspective, The U.N. Framework Convention on Climate Change Activities Implemented Jointly Pilot: Experiences and Lessons Learned, Energy Technology Perspectives, Scenarios and Strategies to 2050, and others.

Government

For nearly three decades, Dixon has led U.S. government energy and environment science, technology and policy programs at three federal agencies:
Dixon has worked with organizations across the globe, and for Presidential councils and executive offices. He led two Presidential Initiatives, the U.S. Country Studies Program, and the Initiative on Joint Implementation.

White House

During the Administration of President G.W. Bush, Dixon served as Senior Director, White House Task Force on Energy Security and Climate Change, jointly implemented by the U.S. Council on Environmental Quality and the National Security Council. He was a key contributor to the G-20 Major Economies Process and deliberations on the Energy Security Act of 2007. He was Associate Director at the CEQ and professional staff in the Office of Science and Technology Policy.
Dixon was founding Executive Director, Secretariat for the International Partnership for the Hydrogen Economy
At the International Energy Agency of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, he was Head of Energy Technology Policy Division, strategizing and directing technology policy analyses for clients such as the G-20 Heads of State.
For the Global Environment Facility of The World Bank Group, Dixon was Team Leader for Climate Change and Chemicals, overseeing a multibillion-dollar portfolio of energy, environment, public health, infrastructure, and transportation projects in developing and transition countries.

International Agreements

Dixon has been a delegate to intergovernmental negotiating committees and subsidiary bodies of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer, Minamata Convention on Mercury, the Asia-Pacific Partnership on Clean Development and Climate, the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants, and United Nations Conference on Environment and Development.
Dixon was a member of the United Nations Transitional Committee for the Green Climate Fund, advisor to the U.S. National Academy of Sciences and National Academy of Engineering on energy and environmental projects, delegate to the Renewable Energy Policy Network for the 21st Century , Commissioner General of the China World EXPO 2010 “Better City, Better Life", and Vice Chairman of the IEA Working Party on Renewable Energy Technologies.
He has briefed and testified before committees of the U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate on a wide variety of energy science and research issues, including U.S. energy technology transfer and climate change and technology policy options.

Philanthropy

Dixon has been a strategic and tactical advisor aiding in the implementation of energy, environmental, and economic development and transition programs worldwide for Catholic Relief Services, the Open Society Foundation, the International Foundation for Science, CARE, and others.

Honors and awards