Who we are

Our story

Established in October 2021, we’re a young organisation, but we’re proud of what we’ve achieved in a short time thanks largely to our collaborative nature and nimble approach.

Our CEO, Aoife O’Leary, is a lawyer and economist with extensive environmental expertise. Having experienced firsthand how climate funding often favoured easily measurable “wins,” and left hard-to-decarbonise sectors like aviation and shipping overlooked, she set out to change this.

In 2021, she launched Opportunity Green with the goal of elevating these sectors by bringing legal, economic, and policy expertise together to find innovative climate solutions.

From the outset, Aoife was equally committed to building an organisation where talented, mission-driven people could thrive. As Opportunity Green has grown to around 30 staff in just four years, she has championed a supportive, progressive workplace, with an organisational objective of being ‘a great place to work where great staff are valued and treated well’.

Our approach

It’s our mission to close the gaps in global climate action.

We do this by raising the profile of high-polluting sectors that traditionally fly under the radar of climate action, such as shipping, aviation, steel, agriculture and finance. This works in three ways:

1. Supporting climate-vulnerable countries to make their voices heard in key international climate negotiations.
2. Using strategic legal actions to hold polluters and governments to account, clear the way for greater ambition, and ensure investment goes to positive climate solutions.
3. Connecting innovative companies offering true zero-emission solutions with policymakers to encourage forward-thinking regulation.

This strategic approach – working from multiple angles to create systemic impact in overlooked sectors – sets us apart from other NGOs and is where we deliver exceptional impact.

Read more about our work.

Our values

We believe in the principles of global equity and sustainable development and we champion climate solutions that are fair for everyone. Our work focuses on equity, justice, and accountability, and ensures no one is left behind on the journey to global decarbonisation.

OG’s values are:

• Honesty 
• Good governance
• Brave
• Reliable
• Cooperative
• Approachable
• Motivating

Our culture

Our team works hard to achieve our goals, but personal wellbeing and equality are also at the heart of our working culture. Our team works a four-day week (for no less pay) and has flexible working arrangements and progressive family leave policies so they can also focus on what matters to them outside of work.

Opportunity Green’s strong focus on workplace wellbeing and culture was recognised in the 2025 Global Good Awards as we were awarded joint leader in the ‘Employer of the Year’ category.

Find out more about our working culture.