Julian Kraus-Polk

Julian Kraus-Polk works with business partners to map high-impact opportunities for the private sector to accelerate the adoption of climate solutions. He mobilizes Project Drawdown’s research to inspire and enable businesses to go beyond “net zero.” He tracks financial and political levers for gigaton-scale emissions reductions, and spotlights regenerative economic activity and business models. Kraus-Polk is committed to a just transition, prioritizing social and racial justice as requisite components within climate solutions. He comes to Drawdown Labs with a background in life-cycle analysis, climate-smart agriculture and institutional food procurement policy. Previously, he worked with Friends of the Earth U.S. to develop its Healthy, Climate-Friendly Food program; engaging with universities, K-12 school districts and municipalities on multi-benefit food shifts. Kraus-Polk has consulted multiple NGOs on food carbon footprinting, including the Center for Good Food Purchasing and the Real Food Challenge. Prior to that, he worked on institutional sustainability at Colorado College, where he received a Bachelor’s degree in Environmental and Political Science. Outside of work, Kraus-Polk is an active organizer with the Sunrise Movement, where he supports grassroots mobilization to elect climate justice champions. He is also a passionate rock climber, who loves to explore the Sierra Nevada mountains or the coastal crags near his home in Berkeley, CA.