Christophe A.G. Tulou

Since May 2010, Christophe A. G. Tulou has served as Director of the District Department of the Environment (DDOE), the leading authority on energy and environmental issues affecting the District of Columbia. In this capacity, he leads a workforce of approximately 300 environmental professionals and oversees the operations of four administrations, 13 divisions, and 14 branches that work collaboratively to protect the environment and conserve the natural resources of the District of Columbia.

An experienced environmental advocate and professional, Director Tulou has developed a national reputation in environmental, energy, natural resource, and climate policy. As the head of DDOE, Director Tulou has presided over multi-million dollar settlement agreements to clean up contamination along the Anacostia River, worked with city officials to pass legislation to promote revitalization and economic development of “brownfield” sites, and helped to expand programs and authority to protect children from lead-based paint. He finalized and released a draft climate action plan for the District and has begun a broad effort to engage the community on climate mitigation and adaptation issues. Director Tulou has served as DC government’s primary green advocate, dedicating new green buildings and green roofs, promoting energy conservation, and initiating river restoration efforts to position the District as a national leader in sustainable practices.

Prior to his position at DDOE, Director Tulou served as principal of Christophe Tulou Associates, an organization that advised clients on the implications and opportunities at the intersection of global change and public policy. There, he co-directed the H. John Heinz III Center for Science, Economics and the Environment/Ceres Resilient Coasts Initiative, a ground-breaking collaboration of private, public, scientific and nonprofit-sector leaders tasked with developing and implementing a “blueprint” to make coastal communities more resilient to existing hazards and avert the worst consequences of climate change.

In 2003, Director Tulou founded the non-profit Center for Sea Change to advance reform of US ocean laws and policies. Prior to that, as Executive Director of the Pew Oceans Commission, he guided a three-year, $6 million initiative to develop policies to restore and protect living marine resources in US waters, which culminated in publication of “America's Living Oceans: Charting a Course for Sea Change.”

Between 1993 and 1998, Director Tulou served as cabinet secretary for Delaware's Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control, the state’s primary environmental protection, public lands preservation, and natural resources conservation agency. He spent over a decade working for the US Congress, serving in several capacities, including staff director to a subcommittee of the US House Committee on Banking, Finance and Urban Affairs.

Director Tulou earned a bachelor’s of science degree from the College of William and Mary and two master's degrees - one in Zoology and the other in Marine Affairs - from the University of Rhode Island. He also earned a law degree from Georgetown University. He is a member of the Virginia and District of Columbia Bars.

A native of Geneva, Switzerland, Director Tulou and his wife are 30-year residents of Washington, DC.