James Thornton is the founding CEO of ClientEarth.

He launched ClientEarth in 2007, sparking fundamental change in the way environmental protections are made and enforced across Europe. Now operating globally, ClientEarth uses advocacy, litigation and research to address the greatest challenges of our time – including nature loss and climate change.

In the years since founding ClientEarth, James has developed an ever-growing team of environmental lawyers following his innovative approach to defend the oceans, protect forests and the people who depend on them, and tackle the climate crisis at its root.

With his leadership, ClientEarth has made air pollution one of the major issues of the day and brought successful actions protecting the health of citizens across Europe. Its work is always built on solid law and science. In 2017, James co-authored a book with his husband Martin Goodman, telling the fascinating story of ClientEarth since it was founded. The book won the judges category in the Business Book of the Year Awards in 2018..