Steve Swan

Steve Swan has over 20 years’ experience in forest biodiversity management, governance and financing with a geographical focus on Southeast and East Asia. Nearly 15 of these years have been spent developing, coordinating and managing complex multidisciplinary projects and programmes financed both by public and private sectors. His technical expertise includes: environmental and social frameworks and indicators for impact investment; environmental and social safeguards; payments for ecosystem services including REDD+; low-emissions development planning; sustainable livelihoods; national policy, legislative and regulatory reform. Steve is currently the UN-REDD Programme Safeguards Coordinator and Land-Use Finance Programme Environmental & Social Impact Coordinator. Prior to joining UN Environment five years ago, Steve served as a Senior Technical Advisor on the SNV-Netherlands Development Organization REDD+ programme, in addition to providing freelance advisory services to several REDD+ interventions. Steve holds a Master’s degree in Biodiversity Conservation & Management from the London University’s School of Oriental and African Studies. Steve also has a first-class bachelor’s degree in Zoology and Marine Zoology.