John Thompson

About

John Thompson leads Clean Air Task Force’s Complex Systems Portfolio on an interim basis. The portfolio works across land systems, transportation, and industry, with a focus on driving practical, high-impact solutions in sectors that are difficult to decarbonize and deeply connected to global economic systems.

For over 25 years at CATF, John has directed major programs on industrial innovation, carbon capture and storage, and clean hydrogen, shaping policies that enable industrial and power sector decarbonization. His work brings together policy design, economic analysis, and coalition building, with past efforts ranging from U.S.–China technology partnerships to advancing climate and air quality policy.

Before joining CATF, he led a Midwest nonprofit supporting grassroots organizing and technical analysis for rural communities addressing waste challenges. John holds a B.S. in Chemical Engineering from the University of Illinois and an M.B.A. from Washington University’s Olin Business School.