Jeff Horowitz

Jeff Horowitz is the founder of environmental advocacy group Avoided Deforestation Partners. Horowitz is a leader in the effort to shape energy policy that creates a carbon credits market for forest conservation.. The policy, called REDD, or Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Degradation, is a mechanism that would compensate tropical countries for safeguarding their forests.. REDD provided the basis for the tropical forest provisions in the American Clean Energy and Security Act that passed the House of Representatives in 2009. Horowitz is leading the effort to have these provision included in the Senate's version of energy legislation, which did not include such provisions upon introduction in the Spring of 2010.

Horowitz and Avoided Deforestation Partners have played a significant role in forging consensus on U.S. climate-forests policy. In May of 2009, groups ranging from the Sierra Club and National Resource Defense Council to Duke Energy and American Electric Power signed "The Tropical Forest and Climate Unity Agreement," a set of 14 specific principles endorsing market and non-market mechanisms to protect tropical forests as part of U.S. climate policy. The agreement was drafted and coordinated by Horowitz.

Under Horowitz's leadership, ADP has published several major studies which promote the idea that preserving tropical forests is one of the most affordable ways to reduce pollution and strengthen U.S. domestic agriculture.

Prior to founding ADP, Horowitz was the Vice-Chair of Equator Environmental LLC, a New York based for–profit company engaged in the development of forest–carbon projects. He also served as Chairman of the Planning Commission of Berkeley, California, developing master plans for the city including a Civic Center Plan, a Housing Districts Plan, and Berkeley's Downtown Revitalization Plan, and streamlining the building approvals process with the creation of a "One Stop Permit Center."