Peter Betts (civil servant)

Peter Betts (3 March 1959 – 21 October 2023) was a British civil servant. In 2015, he helped draft the Paris Agreement and acted as chief negotiator for the EU on it.

Early life and education
Betts was born in Battersea, London, to George, a member of the Fire Brigade Salvage Corps, and Joyce, a welfare worker. He attended Emanuel School and Mansfield College, Oxford, where he studied history.

Career
Upon graduating in 1982, Betts undertook various jobs, including a period at the East End News, before joining the Civil Service in 1984. His career progressed rapidly in the Department of the Environment, leading to a three-year assignment in Brussels from 1994.

In 2008, Betts transitioned to focus on climate change, becoming the Director of International Climate Change at Defra. Subsequent departmental reorganisations saw climate change responsibilities shift to the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) and later to BEIS.

During his tenure, Betts played a major role in the Paris Agreement negotiations, addressing complex issues such as precise wording and legal interpretations, which were critical to the agreement's success. After his civil service career, Betts took up advisory and academic roles, including a position at the Chatham House.

Personal life
Betts married Fiona McGregor, now a chief executive at the Regulator of Social Housing, in 2006. Betts is survived by his wife, parents, and sister Susan.

Awards and recognition

 * Companion of the Order of the Bath