Paul Fleming manages the climate resiliency program for the Seattle Public Utilities (SPU), where he is responsible for leading climate research initiatives, assessing climate risks, developing adaptation and mitigation strategies and establishing collaborative partnerships. SPU provides a reliable drinking water supply to 1.3 million people in the Seattle metropolitan area and provides essential sewer, drainage and solid waste services to City of Seattle customers.

He is also an active participant in several national and international efforts focused on water and climate change. He was appointed by then U.S. Commerce Secretary Locke to the National Climate Assessment Development Advisory Committee, which is overseeing the development of the 2013 U.S. National Climate Assessment (NCA) for the federal government. He is a Convening Lead Author of the Water Resources chapter and a Lead Author of the Adaptation chapter of the NCA. He is Chair of the Water Utility Climate Alliance (WUCA), an alliance of ten U.S. water suppliers focused on providing leadership in assessing and adapting to the potential effects of climate change through collaborative action, and is involved in the International Water Association’s Water, Climate and Energy Program.

Mr. Fleming is a frequent speaker on water and climate change issues at national and international conferences and is at the forefront of water utility leadership on issues such as adaptation, climate risk and infrastructure management.