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Events

Public Event Wed, March 6, 2024 • 9:00 am ET

The International Women’s Day forum: How women are tackling global challenges
Africa Americas Europe & Eurasia Israel
Flagship Event Tue, December 5, 2023 • 5:00 am ET

Global Energy Forum at COP28

The eighth Forum will be held in Dubai as energy and climate decision-makers converge for COP28.
Energy & Environment Energy Markets & Governance Energy Transitions Geopolitics & Energy Security

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EnergySource

Aug 11, 2024

Japan’s economic revitalization requires nuclear energy

By Lauren Hughes, Maia Sparkman

Japan's economy is recovering, with government efforts to boost population growth and expand energy-intensive industries like AI and semiconductors. However, current energy policies may not meet rising demand. Restarting nuclear reactors under enhanced safety measures is key to Japan’s energy security and climate goals. To sustain growth, Japan must continue restarting its nuclear fleet and invest in next-generation reactors, addressing workforce and supply chain challenges.

Japan Nuclear Energy

Issue Brief

Mar 5, 2024

Cleveland, Ohio: Promoting a local and just energy transition

By Peter Engelke, Joseph Webster, Maia Sparkman

The issue brief focuses on the decarbonization pathway of Cleveland, Ohio. Cleveland's history shows that a concerted, collaborative effort can accomplish major conservation and decarbonization goals.

Energy Transitions Geopolitics & Energy Security

EnergySource

Nov 29, 2023

How COP28 can help cities drive climate action

By Willow Fortunoff, Maia Sparkman

Centering cities as enablers of both climate adaptation and mitigation is absolutely critical. In light of this, COP28 will include, for the first time, a summit dedicated to localized efforts to curb climate change.

Africa Americas
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Maia Sparkman was an associate director for climate diplomacy, with the Atlantic Council Global Energy Center (GEC), where she focused on energy and climate policy. She supported the GEC’s research on energy access and energy system transformation in Africa; city-level climate action; and industrial decarbonization.

Sparkman also supported the GEC’s Women Leaders in Energy and Climate Fellowship and the execution of the Center’s global convenings, including the annual Global Energy Forum held in the United Arab Emirates. Beyond the GEC, Sparkman co-chaired the Atlantic Council’s Women Employee Resource Group to support and enhance the experience of female-identifying employees at the Council.

Prior to joining the Council, Sparkman served in the Peace Corps as a sustainable agriculture specialist in Zambia, where she worked closely with small-holder farmers and liaised with Zambia’s Ministry of Agriculture and the US Forest Service to promote climate-smart agriculture practices and diversify household nutrition.

Sparkman brings an interdisciplinary background to the energy sector from her field experience in the Peace Corps, as well as her work at the Environmental Defense Fund supporting the Climate Corps Fellowship, advising breweries in implementing emissions reductions practices, and supporting InterAction’s climate working group to mainstream climate adaptation into international development projects.  

Sparkman holds a BA in environmental studies with a specialization in ecological systems from Seattle University and a MS in environmental science and policy with a concentration in climate change impacts and adaptation from Clark University.