Yeb has been working since 1997 on campaigns and programs to combat climate change. He has extensive experience in high-profile positions, both in public office and non-governmental organisations.
He is widely known for his work as Philippines’ Chief Negotiator in the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). His impassioned speech in Warsaw in 2013 on the effects of climate change following Typhoon Haiyan touched hearts and minds around the world.
Before his appointment as commissioner, he served as Director of the Climate Change Program at WWF-Philippines. For more than 14 years, he led local and international strategies to combat climate change, increase biodiversity, protect coastal and marine resources, and improve local governance. He also served as the National Director of the Earth Hour campaign in the Philippines from 2008-2010.
As Spiritual Ambassador for OurVoices, he leads call to people of faith and moral belief across the world to engage on the issue of climate change. He was the Pilgrim Leader of The People’s Pilgrimage, a special journey that highlights communities confronting climate impacts. It culminated in a 1,500 kilometre walk from Rome to Paris from September to December 2015.
Other notable positions include Global Ambassador of the Seize Your Power Campaign, and Ambassador for the Save the Arctic Movement. He also served as the independent Board Member in the International Board of Directors of Plan International and also serves as a Trustee for the Turtle Conservation Society of the Philippines and an Executive Trustee of the Inclusive Mobility Network of the Philippines. He is also an active individual member of the Philippine Movement for Climate Justice.
Yeb holds a bachelor’s degree in philosophy, a graduate diploma degree in community development, and was a Fellow at the Oxford Climate Policy Centre based in Oxford University under the European Capacity Building Initiative.
Yeb is married to Atty. Eunice Agsaoay, an environment, community, and academic lawyer. They have a 12-year-old son, Yanni, and eight-year-old daughter, Amira. He is also an avid scuba diver, soccer player, bird photographer, painter, peace activist, and an advocate for community empowerment.