Honoring the Life and Legacy of Dr. Toufiq A. Siddiqi

Dr. Toufiq A. Siddiqi (1937–2023), the founder of GEE-21, was a trailblazing environmental scientist and policy expert whose work bridged energy, climate change, and sustainability. A respected voice on the global stage, Dr. Siddiqi was a Lead Author for the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Report, whose collective contributions to climate science were recognized with the Nobel Peace Prize in 2007. He also consulted for numerous United Nations agencies, the World Bank, and the Asian Development Bank. His leadership extended to his tenure as Past-President of the Hawai‘i Academy of Science, where he championed scientific inquiry and innovation.

Toufiq and Ulrike
Ulrike and Toufiq Siddiqi

As Chairman of the Board of GEE-21 (Global Environment and Energy in the 21st Century) and Adjunct Senior Fellow at the East-West Center in Hawai‘i, Dr. Siddiqi dedicated his career to addressing some of our most pressing environmental challenges. GEE-21 held its first full board meeting in Honolulu in August 1998. He also served as Affiliate Graduate Faculty in the Geography Department at the University of Hawai‘i, nurturing the next generation of scholars in the fields of energy policy and environmental science.

Dr. Siddiqi’s career spanned decades of impactful contributions, including serving as the Regional Advisor on Energy for the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP). Starting at the East-West Center in 1979, he built the first environmental research projects between China and the USA, a lasting relationship he carried over into GEE-21. During his 18 years at the East-West Center in Honolulu, he pioneered a groundbreaking program in 1979 on “The Environmental Dimensions of Energy Policies,” one of the first in Asia and the Pacific to explore the critical intersections between energy and environmental concerns.

As a trusted leader and mentor, Dr. Siddiqi’s legacy endures through the countless lives he touched and the initiatives he spearheaded to advance environmental stewardship. His pioneering spirit and dedication to a sustainable future will be remembered and celebrated for generations.

Toufiq A. Siddiqi
Toufiq A. Siddiqi
Toufiq A. Siddiqi
Toufiq A. Siddiqi
Toufiq A. Siddiqi

Beyond Paris – The Science and Implementation

How will the Paris Climate Agreement fare when it comes to implementation? Toufiq Siddiqi and Anukriti Lirio Hittle discuss the next steps for climate change mitigation after COP21 in Paris.

Publications

Dr. Siddiqi’s publications, aside from the Nobel Prize-winning IPCC report, include seminal works on energy policy, climate change, and sustainability and have had a lasting impact on the field. His work influenced international climate policies and fostered collaboration across diverse sectors and disciplines.

Highlights

Books

  • Toufiq A. Siddiqi, World Energy, Sydney, published by Holt, Rinehart and Winston, 1976
  • Toufiq A. Siddiqi and Shirin Tahir-Kheli, project managers, Water Conflicts in South Asia: Managing Water Resource Disputes within and between Countries of the Region, Honolulu: Global Environment and Energy in the 21st Century, and Washington DC: Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies, 219 pp. 2004
  • Toufiq A. Siddiqi and Shirin Tahir-Kheli, project managers, Water Needs in South Asia: Closing the Demand-Supply Gap, Honolulu: Global Environment and Energy in the 21st Century, and Washington DC: Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies, 2004
  • Toufiq A. Siddiqi, Enhancing Clean Energy Supplies for Development: A Natural Gas Pipeline for India and Pakistan, Washington DC: BALUSA Inc, 2003
  • Toufiq A. Siddiqi, Wiebe John D. Environmental Guidelines for Coal Port Development, Bangkok: United Nations Environment Programme, 1988
  • Toufiq A. Siddiqi, Education, and Development: Life and Work of M. Raziuddin Siddiqi, Anwar Dil, Editor, San Diego: Intercultural Forum, 2002
  • Toufiq A Siddiqi, The Bumpy Path to Climate Change: Pioneering for a Sustainable World, 2025

Study Guides

  • Lynton K. Caldwell, co-author Toufiq A. Siddiqi. – Science, Technology, and Public Policy: A Selected and Annotated Bibliography, Vol. I, Indiana University, Political Science Department. 1972.
  • Lynton K. Caldwell, co-author Toufiq A, Siddiqi A Guide to Advanced Study- National Science Foundation Grant, Indiana University, School of Public and Environmental Affairs. 1974,1976.
  • Lynton K. Caldwell, co-author Toufiq A. Siddiqi, Environmental Policy, Law, and Administration: Supplement, Indiana University, School of Public and Environmental Affairs, 1976.
  • Toufiq A. Siddiqi, Energy Use on an Individual, National (U.S.) and International Basis” Fourth Annual Conference on Instructional
  • Computing Applications, Michael Stenta and Linda Motsinger Editors, Indiana University and Purdue University Press, 1977.

Selected Journal and Project Reports

  • Lynton K. Caldwell, co-authored by Toufiq A. Siddiqi, “The Environmental Studies Program at Indiana University,” James L. Aldrich and Edward J. Kormondy Editors, Washington, DC: Commission on Undergraduate Education in the Biological Sciences, 1972
  • Toufiq A. Siddiqi, “Technology Assessment for the Developing Countries”, Working Paper for the UNESCO Conference on Science, Ethics, and Aesthetics, Paris, 1974
  • Toufiq A. Siddiqi, “A Systems Dynamics Approach to Energy- Environment Interactions”, Bulletin of the American Physical Society, Vol. 19, 1974
  • Toufiq A. Siddiqi, “Reconciling Energy and Environmental Demands”, Humboldt Journal of Social Relations, Vol. 2. pp1, 1974
  • Toufiq A. Siddiqi, “Parameters of Technological Growth: What Makes An Optimist?”, Astronautics and Aeronautics, Vol. 12, 1974
  • Toufiq A. Siddiqi, “Prospects for U.S. Self-Sufficiency in Energy,” Proceedings of the American Institute for Decision Sciences Midwest Conference, Purdue University Press, 1975
  • Toufiq A. Siddiqi, Robert Marlett, Editor, “Energy Conservation and Changing Lifestyles”, in Current Issues in Environmental Education, Select Papers from the Fifth Annual Conference of the National Association for Environmental Education, 1976
  • Toufiq A. Siddiqi, “Climatic Implications of Fossil-Fuel Combustion” presented at Annual Meeting of the International Studies Association at St. Louis, Missouri, March 1977
  • Toufiq A. Siddiqi, “Science and Technology (in German Speaking Countries”, Philadelphia: American Association of Teachers of German, Philadelphia, 1977
  • Toufiq A. Siddiqi and Gerald F. Hein, “Energy Resources of the Developing Countries and Some Priority Markets for the use of Solar Energy”, report: NASA, Cleveland. Ohio. Journal of Energy and Development, Vol.3, pp 164-189, 1977
  • Toufiq A. Siddiqi, “Environmental Considerations in Energy Policies,” Proceedings of the Seminar on Ecology and Development held in New Delhi, September 23-26, pp 164- 189,1978
  • Toufiq A. Siddiqi, Arthur Sacks, editor, “Energy Policy Issues and the Environmental Agenda for the 1980’s”, Current Issues VI: Yearbook of Environmental Education and Environmental Studies, Madison, Wi: National Association for Environmental Education, 1980
  • William H. Matthews and Toufiq A. Siddiqi, “Energy and Environment in the Developing Countries”, Manas Chatterji Editor, London: John Wiley and Sons, Ltd., 1981
  • Toufiq A. Siddiqi, Richard A. Carpenter, and Maynard Hufschmidt, “Environmental Standards and Energy Policies”, Report based on the Workshop held at the East-West Center, Honolulu, 1981
  •  Toufiq A. Siddiqi, “Some Environmental Implications of Reducing Petroleum Dependence in the Asia-Pacific Region,” Proceedings of the Second ASEAN Council on Petroleum Conference and Exhibit. Metro Manila: ASCOPE Organizing Board. Manila October 7-11, 1981
  • Toufiq A. Siddiqi, “Counting the Costs of Asia’s Coal Boom”, Asia 2000, Vol 1. 1982
  • Fesharaki Fereidun, Harrison Brown, Corazon M. Siddayo, Toufiq Siddiqi, Kirk R. Smith, and Kim Woodard, “Critical Energy Issues in Asia and the Pacific: The Next Twenty Years”, Boulder, Colo, Westview Press, 314 pp, 1982
  • N.L. Ramanathan, J.M. Dave, and T.A. Siddiqi, “Air Quality Management and Energy Policies,” report based on the International Conference held at Baroda and Bombay, India, February 1981, New Delhi, Department of Environment, Government of India, 1983
  • Toufiq A. Siddiqi, and Zhang Chong-Xian, “Ambient Air Quality Standards in China”, Environmental Management, Vol. 8, pp 473-479, 1984
  • Toufiq A. Siddiqi, “Environmental Standards and National Energy Policies”, Annual Review of Energy, Vol.9, 1984
  • Toufiq A.Siddiqi, Herbert H. Webber, and Elizabeth Winternitz- Russell, editors, “Coal Transportation in Asia and the Pacific: Infrastructure and Environmental Considerations”, Pasha Publications, Arlington VA. 1985
  • Toufiq A. Siddiqi, “Impact of New Technologies on Development Strategies”, presented at the International Political Science Association 13th World Congress, Paris, July 15-20, 1985
  • Toufiq A. Siddiqi and Shen Shihua, editor, “Newer Coal Technologies: Implications for Energy and Development Policies in Asia and the Pacific”, New York: Pergamon Press, 391 pp., 1986
  • Toufiq A. Siddiqi, “The Pacific Rim: Investment, Development, and Trade”, Peter N. Nemetz, Editor, University of British Columbia Press, Vancouver, BC, 1986
  • Toufiq A. Siddiqi, O.P. Dwivedi editor. “Perspectives on Technology and Development”, Gitanjali Publishing House, New Delhi, 1986
  • Toufiq A. Siddiqi, “The Pacific Rim: Investment, Development, and Trade”, Peter N. Nemetz, Editor, University of British Columbia Press, Vancouver, BC, 1986
  • Toufiq A. Siddiqi, O.P. Dwivedi editor. “Perspectives on Technology and Development”, Gitanjali Publishing House, New Delhi, 1986
  • Toufiq A. Siddiqi, Jin Xiaoming, and Shi Minghao, “The S & T Connection”, The China Business Review, November-December pp 50-54. 1987
  • Toufiq A. Siddiqi, Jin Xiaoming, and Shi Minghao,” China – U.S.A. Governmental Cooperation in Science and Technology”, East- West Center, Environment and Policy institute, Honolulu, Hawaii, Paper No. 1. 1988
  • Toufiq A. Siddiqi, “A Comprehensive Law of the Atmosphere as a Framework for Addressing Carbon Dioxide and Climate Change Issues,” Steps Toward an International Convention Stabilizing the Composition of the Atmosphere, Proceedings of the Workshop held at the Woods Hole Research Center, September 13-14, pp 59-65, 1988
  • Wiebe, John D., Toufiq A. Siddiqi,” Environmental Guidelines for Overland Coal Transportation”, Bangkok: United Nations Environment Programme, 1988
  • Toufiq A. Siddiqi, “Towards a Law of the Atmosphere: Using Concepts from the Law of the Sea”, EAPI Working Paper No. 12, 61 pp. 1988
  • Toufiq A. Siddiqi, “Some Factors Affecting the Transfer of High- Technology to the Developing Countries,” in Technology Transfer to the Developing Countries, Manas Chatterjie, Editor. London: Macmillan, 1989, pp 152-165, 1989
  • Toufiq A. Siddiqi, edited by Elisabeth Mann Borgese, Norton Ginsburg, and Joseph R. Morgan “Coal Ports and the Environment,” The University Press, Chicago Il. pp 196-218, 1989
  • Toufiq A. Siddiqi, “Implications of Climate Change for Energy Policies in Asia”, ESCAP Environmental News, Vol. 7, pp 6-11, June 1989
  • Neelo Bhatti, David G. Streets, and Toufiq A. Siddiqi “Responding to the Threat of Global Warming: Options for the Pacific and Asia, Environmental Perspectives Toward the Year 2000 and Beyond, Asian Institute of Technology, pp 1-23, 1990
  • Toufiq A. Siddiqi, “Global Environmental Concerns: The Role of Geothermal Energy in Asia and the Pacific,” Proceedings of the 1990 International Symposium on Geothermal Energy, Kailua- Kona, Hawaii August 20-24, Geothermal Resource Council, Davis, California, 1991
  • Toufiq A. Siddiqi, “National Environment Energy Policy”– Environment Issues in Asia, East-West Center Reprints, Environment Series, No. 13, 1991
  • Wu Zongxin and T.A. Siddiqi, “The Role of Nuclear Energy in Reducing the Environmental Impacts of China’s Energy Use”, Energy: The International Journal vol. 20, pp 777-783, 1994
  • Toufiq A. Siddiqi, Working Group Chair, “Project Proposal on Natural Gas Pipeline in South Asia,” Stockholm, Stockholm Environment Institute, July 7 – 9, 1996
  • Toufiq A. Siddiqi, “The Clean Development Mechanism: Some Implications for the Global Environment Facility”, as Senior Fellow, Global Environment Facility, 1999
  • Toufiq A. Siddiqi, “Moving Forward with the Clean Development Mechanism,” United Nations Environment Programme: Centre on Energy and Environment, Risoe National Laboratory, Denmark, June 13, 2000
  • Toufiq A. Siddiqi, “Natural Gas Reserves/Total Energy Consumption: A useful new rationale for addressing global climate change concerns,” Energy Policy, 30, pp 1145-1149, 2002
  • Toufiq A. Siddiqi, “Asia’s Changing Role in Global Climate Change,” Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, 1140:22- 30, 2008
  • Toufiq A. Siddiqi, “Climate Change and Lower Oil: Prices as Competing Factors in Developing Solar PV and Wind Energy Technologies,” Global Environment and Energy in the 21st Century (GEE-21), Honolulu Hawaii, September, 2015

Publication in Physics

  • T.A. Siddiqi, K. Stelzer, and N. Fiebiger, Institut fuer Kernphysik, Universitaet Frankfurt/Main, “The Nuclear Level Structure of 76As etc.“ NUCLEAR PHYSICS Vol. 1 A 101,673-687 (1967).
  • T.A. Siddiqi, H.H. Hsu, and G.T. Emery.”Decay of B$212 to Po212.” BULLETIN OF THE AMERICAN PHYSICAL SOCIETY, Vol. 13, No. 11, (1968)
  • T.A. Siddiqi, R.C. Carlson, and G.T. Emery, “Beta-Band to Ground- Band Transitions in Hf178,” BULLETIN OF THE AMERICAN PHYSICAL SOCIETY, Vol. 14, No. 12, (1969)
  • P.P. Singh, L.A. Beach, C.R. Gossett, R.C. Carlson, G.T. Emery, L.R. Medsker, T.A. Siddiqi, and W.T. Sloan, “A Program for (a,xny) Studies: Ta181 (a,nxy) Re183, 181”, BULLETIN OF THE AMERICAN PHYSICAL SOCIETY, Vol. 15, No. 4, 645, (1970)
  • T.A. Siddiqi, F.P. Cranston, and D.H. White, “Gamma-Ray Transitions in 156 Gd,” NUCLEAR PHYSICS, Vol. A 179,609 (1972)
  • T.A. Siddiqi and G.T. Emery, “Gamma-Ray Intensities and Branchings in Hf 178 Following Decay of Ta178 (9.3m),” PHYSICAL REVIEW, Vol. 6, No. 3 1009. (1972)
  • D.H. White and T.A. Siddiqi, “Gamma-Ray Spectra and Positive Parity Bands in Gd158,” NUCLEAR PHYSICS, Vol. A 217,410 (1973)