Biography
Alex Doukas is a bold voice in the environmental and climate action sector, recognized for his strategic acumen and ability to build powerful coalitions. Until recently, as the Strategy Director for the Funder Forum on Oil and Gas, Alex played a pivotal role in crafting a strategic framework that helped 80 endowed foundations develop a more unified and impactful response to the climate crisis. This work has not only amplified financial commitments to climate action but also fostered unprecedented collaboration among key stakeholders.
Prior to this, Alex spearheaded the “Stop Funding Fossils” program at Oil Change International, where he led a global campaign that successfully pressured governments to cut billions in subsidies and investments in the oil, gas, and coal industries. His team’s relentless efforts redirected significant public finance from fossil fuels to sustainable energy solutions.
He holds a Master’s degree from the University of Oxford and a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Toronto, where he developed a strong foundation in environmental policy and sustainable development.
But his journey into environmental advocacy was deeply rooted in his childhood, sparked by a profound fascination with the natural world. Encouraged by his parents, who nurtured his curiosity about fossils, insects, and plants, Alex developed an enduring passion for environmental protection.
A defining moment in his life came as a youth delegate at the 2008 UN climate negotiations. It was here that he confronted the entrenched interests obstructing meaningful climate action. “I saw firsthand how fossil fuel interests, including those from my own country, Canada, did everything possible to derail the UN climate talks and water down ambition,” Alex recalled. “By the time the talks were done, I had resolved to fight those fossil fuel interests that have long prevented us from realizing the climate solutions that are well within our reach.”
Drawing strength and inspiration from his family, who constantly remind him of the importance of balancing his mission with personal well-being, Alex remains committed to his mission. In his downtime, he finds solace in the outdoors, often hiking or snorkeling to reconnect with the natural world that fuels his commitment to protecting it.
Breakthrough program
Alex Doukas was selected for the Climate Breakthrough Award program in 2024.
Alex proposes a groundbreaking initiative to hold the oil and gas industry liable for trillions of dollars in cleanup costs resulting from fossil fuel production. The industry’s “dine-and-dash” approach, he said, has left communities across the globe grappling with toxic legacies, where livelihoods—and lives—have been irreparably damaged.
Alex wants to build a global coalition to ensure that polluters bear the financial burden of decommissioning and cleaning up their extraction sites. He believes that imposing this liability can constrain their ability to expand capital expenditure, deter further expansion, and challenge their social license.
Alex is uniquely positioned to turn this underexplored concept into a formidable global movement, leveraging his extensive global networks and track record in mobilizing impactful campaigns. He is currently identifying key high-impact geographies and assembling a diverse ecosystem of partners to support this multifaceted effort.
For Alex, the “polluter pays” principle is more than a cornerstone of environmental law—it’s a matter of common sense. At its core, he asserted, this initiative aims to protect public health from oil and gas pollution and uphold the fundamental principle of ensuring that people clean up after themselves.
“There is no vital exhaust port on the Death Star that is the fossil fuel industry,” he said. “But it turns out that simply making the oil and gas industry clean up after themselves comes pretty close.”
