Iyad Kheirbek is the Director of Air Quality at C40 Cities, where he oversees the organisation’s global Air Quality Program and Ports and Shipping Program. He brings more than two decades of experience in environmental policy, public health, and urban sustainability, with a focus on translating science into action to deliver urban climate and clean air solutions. He leads a team of global experts who design and implement policy and partnership programs that help cities advance climate and public health initiatives worldwide.
Iyad has led the establishment and growth of C40’s clean air and ports and shipping decarbonization portfolios, including the C40 Air Quality Network, the Breathe Cities partnership with Bloomberg Philanthropies and the Clean Air Fund, and C40’s efforts to advance green shipping corridors. These initiatives now assist more than 50 cities, helping them reduce major public health burdens while accelerating the emissions reductions needed to meet global climate goals.
Before joining C40, Iyad directed major air quality initiatives at the New York City Department of Health, where he led the United States’ largest ongoing urban air monitoring network and helped shape policies that significantly improved citywide air quality. His work contributed to regulations on heating oil emissions and commercial cooking operations, the development of sectoral climate action plans, updates to the citywide air pollution control code, and supported the city’s sustainable transportation agendas. He received the agency’s Distinguished Service Award for his contributions to environmental health.
Iyad holds a BA from Tufts University in Chemistry and Environmental Science and an MS in Environmental Health from the University of Washington.