WINNIPEG — The International Institute for Sustainable Development is pleased to announce that. John Drexhage will be assuming the position of Director, Climate Change on January 8, 2001.

"I am especially pleased to have John join IISD," said David Runnalls, IISD President. "He has been working at the highest levels of the climate change negotiation process for the past seven years and he brings to the Institute a wealth of experience and insight."

Drexhage comes to IISD from Environment Canada where he held the position of Associate Director, Climate Change International, International Relations Directorate. In this position he was responsible for the coordinating the Government of Canada's policy positions in formal negotiations. Drexhage is one of the key negotiators for the Canadian delegation participating at the Sixth Conference of the Parties negotiations on climate change from November 13 to 24, 2000.

Prior to holding the Associate Directorship position, Drexhage held the following Environment Canada positions: Manager, Climate Change - International, Global Air Issues Branch, and Senior Policy Advisor, Domestic Climate Change Program, representing Environment Canada in federal- provincial negotiations on domestic actions on climate change.

Drexhage holds a M.A. in International Affairs from the Norman Paterson School of International Affairs, Carleton University, a B. Ed. from the University of Toronto (Canadian History/Political Science), and a B.A. from Calvin College, Grand Rapids Michigan (Political Philosophy and History).