Peter Betts (3 March 1959 – 21 October 2023) was a British civil servant. In 2015, he helped draft the Paris Agreement and acted as chief negotiator for the EU on it. [1] [2] [3]
Betts was born in Battersea, London, to George, a member of the Fire Brigade Salvage Corps, and Joyce, a welfare worker. [1] He attended Emanuel School and Mansfield College, Oxford, where he studied history. [1]
Upon graduating in 1982, Betts undertook various jobs, including a period at the East End News, before joining the Civil Service in 1984. [1] His career progressed rapidly in the Department of the Environment, leading to a three-year assignment in Brussels from 1994. [1]
In 2008, Betts transitioned to focus on climate change, becoming the Director of International Climate Change at Defra. [1] Subsequent departmental reorganisations saw climate change responsibilities shift to the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) and later to BEIS. [1] [4]
During his tenure, Betts played a major role in the Paris Agreement negotiations, addressing complex issues such as precise wording and legal interpretations, which were critical to the agreement's success. [1] After his civil service career, Betts took up advisory and academic roles, including a position at the Chatham House. [1]
Betts married Fiona McGregor, now a chief executive at the Regulator of Social Housing, in 2006. [1] Betts is survived by his wife, parents, and sister Susan. [1]
Peter Betts (3 March 1959 – 21 October 2023) was a British civil servant. In 2015, he helped draft the Paris Agreement and acted as chief negotiator for the EU on it. [1] [2] [3]
Betts was born in Battersea, London, to George, a member of the Fire Brigade Salvage Corps, and Joyce, a welfare worker. [1] He attended Emanuel School and Mansfield College, Oxford, where he studied history. [1]
Upon graduating in 1982, Betts undertook various jobs, including a period at the East End News, before joining the Civil Service in 1984. [1] His career progressed rapidly in the Department of the Environment, leading to a three-year assignment in Brussels from 1994. [1]
In 2008, Betts transitioned to focus on climate change, becoming the Director of International Climate Change at Defra. [1] Subsequent departmental reorganisations saw climate change responsibilities shift to the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) and later to BEIS. [1] [4]
During his tenure, Betts played a major role in the Paris Agreement negotiations, addressing complex issues such as precise wording and legal interpretations, which were critical to the agreement's success. [1] After his civil service career, Betts took up advisory and academic roles, including a position at the Chatham House. [1]
Betts married Fiona McGregor, now a chief executive at the Regulator of Social Housing, in 2006. [1] Betts is survived by his wife, parents, and sister Susan. [1]