Mario Cavolo

Climate and energy transition enthusiast, with a solid grasp on energy subsidies reform and carbon pricing. Studying energy and climate policy since 2021, advocating for positive actions for the earth, with experience in academia, international organizations, and think tanks. Looking forward to learning how to support the sustainable transition in the business sector.

Every day, I bring with me the passion and enthusiasm of a pragmatic idealist and the teachings of my experience as a former full-time tennis player: discipline, calm, and perseverance.

Consultant at UNECE (2026-01 – Present)

Consultant for the Transport, Health and Environment Pan-European Programme (THE PEP).

• Prepared and presented to the Bureau the proposal for a symposium with youth participation on Child- and Youth-friendly Mobility for the 24th session of THE PEP Steering Committee
• Worked on fundraising activities, including mapping potential donors and drafting a fundraising letter
• Prepared communication materials, such as an advocacy toolkit for Bureau members and the promotion of recent publications
• Drafted policy papers and articles

Environmental Division Intern at UNECE (2025-09 – 2025-12)

Supporting three programs within the Operational Activities & Review Section: THE PEP, Environmental Performance Reviews, Environmental Monitoring and Assessment.

• Supported the organization of the 23rd session of THE PEP Steering Committee, including the preparation of the symposium on clean, healthy and active mobility
• Supported the organization of the 22nd Session of the Joint Task Force on Environmental Statistics and Indicators
• Supported the organization of the Regional Training on the production and use of biodiversity statistics and indicators
• Supported the organization of the CEP side event on Nature-based solutions and infrastructure
• Contributed to review the climate change and energy chapters of the 4th EPR of Uzbekistan and Tajikistan

Research Assistant at Moerenhout Consulting (2024-07 – 2025-02)

Assisting Professor Tom Moerenhout in his research for the World Bank on energy pricing reform episodes.

• Conducted a comprehensive analysis of energy pricing reform episodes in the MENA region from 2010 to 2023 to provide policymakers and internal World Bank teams with actionable insights
• Helped design and implement more effective and resilient energy pricing reform strategies
• Compiled, organized, and calculated quantitative data for each of the 67 episodes related to fiscal savings and the reallocation of those savings to mitigation measures and/or cash transfers

Research Assistant at Moerenhout Consulting (2025-06 – 2025-08)

Second phase of energy pricing reform research for the World Bank.

• Compiled, organized, and calculated quantitative data for each of the 67 episodes related to fiscal savings and the reallocation of those savings to mitigation measures and/or cash transfers

Research Assistant at Geneva Graduate Institute (2025-07 – 2025-08)

Writing a policy paper for the Sustainability Initiative upon request from Prof. Joëlle Noailly.

• Writing a policy paper on the possible strategies for a net-zero university
• Focused on Duke's University Community Carbon Offset Program and the campus-based energy community of the Aarhus University

Research Assistant at Geneva Graduate Institute (2025-03 – 2025-07)

Assisting Professor Joëlle Noailly in machine learning research project.

• Labeled 300 newspaper articles used to train a Large Language Model to track perceptions of uncertainty regarding future US climate and environmental regulations

Energy Program Intern at IISD (2025-01 – 2025-05)

Working within the IISD Energy International Strategy team, supporting the activities of the COFFIS secretariat.

• Conducted literature reviews
• Analyzed case studies
• Supported the drafting of COFFIS documents
• Supported logistical aspects of COFFIS meetings

Student Researcher at Globethics (2023-10 – 2024-06)

Applied Research Project on the contestation of hydropower development in the Lower Mekong Region.

• Worked in a team with three other students
• Built an intercultural team
• Managed communication between the researchers, Globethics, and the Graduate Institute

Team Leader of the Youth Group of Research and Study at International School of Negotiation (2020-01 – 2024-07)

Leadership and organizational role at the International School of Negotiation.

• Contributed to the management of the organization with the other partners
• Co-ideation and support in the organization of events
• Preparation of University students on multilateral and environmental negotiation
• Design and coordination of study activities and teaching programs
• Network development activities and liaising with companies, business associations, and universities
• Research activity for the new initiatives and events

Junior Partner at International School of Negotiation (2019-01 – Present)

Junior Partner at the International School of Negotiation.

Full-time tennis player at Vavassori Tennis Academy (2015-01 – 2019-12)

Competitive national-level tennis player.

• Training full-time 8 hours per day

Master in International and Development Studies (Environment and Sustainability Track) – Geneva Graduate Institute (2023-01 – 2025-12)

BA in Philosophy, International Studies and Economics – Ca' Foscari University of Venice (2020-01 – 2023-12)