Honorary Professor – International Climate Change, Energy & Trade, Dhirubhai Ambani University – School of Law
Mr. George David Banks is a distinguished economist, policy strategist, and global advisor now serving as Honorary Professor in International Climate Change, Energy and Trade at Dhirubhai Ambani University – School of Law. He has served in senior advisory roles across multiple U.S. administrations, including as Special Assistant to the President for International Energy and Environment at both the National Economic Council and the National Security Council, as well as strategist for the House Select Committee on the Climate Crisis.
Mr. Banks has also held leadership positions in leading think tanks and academic institutions, including Executive Vice President at the American Council on Capital Formation, Non-Resident Fellow at Columbia University’s Center on Global Energy Policy, and Senior Fellow at both the Atlantic Council and the Bipartisan Policy Center. His career reflects deep engagement at the intersection of climate diplomacy, energy policy, and international trade.
His contributions have been widely recognized, and he has been awarded the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Climate Protection Award for Diplomacy. For his work under President George W. Bush, he received the Joint Civilian Service Commendation Award from the Department of Defense as well as the State Department’s Superior Honor Award. Under President Barack Obama’s administration, he was honored with the Meritorious Honor Award for his contributions to climate and energy diplomacy.
Mr. Banks holds a Juris Doctor from George Mason University, a Master’s in Economics, and Bachelor’s degrees in History, Economics, and Political Science from the University of Missouri–St. Louis.
At Dhirubhai Ambani University – School of Law, he will contribute to advancing research, executive education, and policy dialogue in climate law, energy transition, and global trade, helping prepare the next generation of leaders to shape a sustainable and resilient future.