Ian is currently an independent advisor on climate change and energy, a senior advisory board member of the Breakthrough Centre for National Climate Restoration, a Director of Australia 21, a Fellow of the Centre for Policy Development, a board member of the Centre of Excellence for Climate Extremes at UNSW, and a Member of the Club of Rome.

Previously, Ian has worked in oil, gas and coal exploration and production, and in scenario and long-term energy planning. He was a senior executive of Royal Dutch Shell for many years and CEO of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (1997-2001). He chaired the Australian Coal Associations (1987-88) and the Australian Greenhouse Office Experts Group on Emissions Trading which developed the first emissions trading system design for Australia (1998-2001).