Dr. Adelle Thomas is a Senior Scientist at Climate Analytics. Her areas of research focus on climate change adaptation, limits to adaptation, and loss and damage in the developing world, with a particular focus on small island developing states. A human-environment geographer, Adelle has over 16 years of practice in the intersections between climate action and development. Her research and policy experience have centred on conceptualising, assessing and responding to loss and damage at international, national and sub-national scales; assessing constraints and limits to adaptation; and investigating how climate change intersects with other development challenges. She has extensive experience in providing scientific advice at the climate-policy interface, including in the UNFCCC and in national and sub-national policy processes.
Adelle is currently Vice-Chair for Working Group Two for the International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and has served as a Lead Author for the IPCC Special Report on 1.5°C, Sixth Assessment Report Working Group II and Sixth Assessment Synthesis Report. She was also a Contributing Author and Chapter Scientist for the IPCC Fifth Assessment Report Working Group II. Adelle serves as a member of several groups, including the UNFCCC Technical Expert Group on Comprehensive Risk Management; the Liaison Committee of the Regional Focal Point for Latin America and the Caribbean of the International Science Council; and the Regional Advisory Committee for the Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund in the Caribbean. She has previously served as a member of the UNFCCC Technology Executive Committee and the National Sustainable Development Goals Committee for The Bahamas.
Adelle obtained a PhD and MS in Geography from Rutgers University, a BS in Civil Engineering from University of Minnesota and and BA in Engineering Science from Macalester College.
The page has been updated in May 2024.
