Dr. Matt Kennedy
About Dr. Matt Kennedy
Dr. Matt Kennedy is the A. Director of Carbon, Climate & Sustainability at Arup and a member of the Horizon Europe Mission Assembly for Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities at the European Commission.
Current Roles at Arup and the European Commission
Dr. Matt Kennedy is currently serving as the Associate Director, Carbon, Climate & Sustainability at Arup since 2020. In this role, he leads the company's climate and sustainability efforts across the European region. Concurrently, Dr. Kennedy is a member of the Horizon Europe Mission Assembly for Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities at the European Commission since 2017. His work involves shaping and driving the decarbonisation roadmap and delivering a Net-Zero strategy by 2030, aligned with science-based targets.
Previous Positions and Experience
Dr. Matt Kennedy has an extensive background in sustainability and climate initiatives. He served as Head of Strategy and Business at the Tyndall National Institute from 2015 to 2020, focusing on the International Energy Research Centre's initiatives. Dr. Kennedy also worked with the International Energy Agency as Chair of the RETD Technology Collaboration Programme from 2013 to 2015. At the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland, he held the roles of Low Carbon Technologies Manager and Special Advisor from 2005 to 2015. Additionally, he was a member of the UNFCCC Technology Executive Committee and served as the EU Lead Technology Negotiator for COP21.
Educational Background
Dr. Kennedy holds a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Sustainable Energy & Environmental Engineering from Trinity College Dublin, achieved between 2010 and 2013. He also earned a Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Strategic Planning, Business Policy, and International Economics from University College Dublin from 2002 to 2004. Prior to that, he completed his Master of Arts (MA) in Development at the National University of Ireland, Galway, from 1996 to 1998, following his Bachelor's degree in Political Science from the same institution, completed in 1996.
Contributions to Sustainability and Decarbonisation Initiatives
Throughout his career, Dr. Matt Kennedy has been dedicated to promoting sustainability and decarbonisation. At Arup, he oversees the climate services plan globally, focusing on decarbonisation, resource efficiency, and sustainability. His efforts include developing local carbon action plans and total value assessments. As a thought leader, he engages with public and private clients linking sustainability initiatives with decarbonisation and digitalised, integrated city approaches. His work supports sustainable infrastructure, buildings, and transport initiatives.
Engagement with International Organizations
Dr. Matt Kennedy is actively involved with several international organizations. He serves on the Advisory Board of the UNEP/UNIDO Climate Technology Centre & Network, where he was previously the Chair. He is also a member of the Climate Change and Environmental Sciences Committee at the Royal Irish Academy. His involvement with global entities extends to significant roles in organizations such as REEEP - Investing in Clean Energy Markets and various activities within the United Nations framework. These positions underline his commitment to global climate strategy and policy development.