Mark N. Templeton is Clinical Professor of Law and Director of the Abrams Environmental Law Clinic at the University of Chicago Law School. Immediately prior, Templeton served as Executive Director of the Office of Independent Trustees for the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill Trust. In this role, Templeton helped to ensure that the $20 billion pledged by BP is available to address the claims of those affected by the 2010 Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill. Previously, Templeton served in the cabinet of Missouri Governor Jay Nixon as Director of the Department of Natural Resources, leading the State’s efforts in energy, environmental protection, state parks, and water resources. He managed approximately 1750 FTEs, oversaw a $310 million annual budget, and directed an additional $350 million of one-time American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds.

From 2005 to 2009, Templeton served as Associate Dean and COO at Yale Law School. From 2001 to 2005, he developed environmental and sustainability strategies at McKinsey & Company, among other projects. Prior to joining McKinsey, Templeton was special assistant and senior adviser to the U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Democracy, Human Rights and Labor and an adviser to the U.S. Delegation to the U.N. Commission on Human Rights. He was a Financial Analyst at Goldman Sachs from 1994 to 1996. Templeton earned a bachelor’s degree, magna cum laude, in social studies from Harvard College in 1994 and a JD from Yale Law School in 1999.

Areas of Focus: Climate Change
Definition
Climate Change
Climate change is an urgent global challenge. EPIC research is helping to assess its impacts, quantify its costs, and identify an efficient set of policies to reduce emissions and adapt...
Climate Law & Policy
Definition
Climate Law & Policy
As countries around the world implement policies to confront climate change, EPIC research is calculating which policies will have the most impact for the least cost.
Environment
Definition
Environment
Producing and using energy damages people’s health and the environment. EPIC research is quantifying the social costs of energy choices and uncovering policies that help protect health while facilitating growth.
Environmental Health
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Environmental Health
Energy and industrial processes introduce toxins into the environment. EPIC research is helping to educate policymakers and consumers on the social and economic costs of this pollution, and the potential...
Air Pollution
Definition
Air Pollution
Air pollution from fossil fuel combustion poses a grave threat to human health worldwide. EPIC research is using real-world data to calculate the effects of air pollution on human health...
Abrams Environmental Law Clinic
Definition
Abrams Environmental Law Clinic
Social Cost of Carbon
Definition
Social Cost of Carbon
The social cost of carbon is an essential tool for incorporating the cost of climate change into policy-making, corporate planning and investment decisionmaking in the United States and around the...
Accelerating and Smoothing the Transition Away from Coal
Definition
Accelerating and Smoothing the Transition Away from Coal
Regulators should consider coal’s full social costs when deciding whether to approve new mines and power plant emissions limits and address legacy environmental issues at sites while giving coal workers...
Definition
Air Pollution
Definition
Air Pollution
Air pollution from fossil fuel combustion poses a grave threat to human health worldwide. EPIC research is using real-world data to calculate the effects of air pollution on human health...