Sebastian Duque Rios

Sebastian Duque Rios joined the Environmental Law Institute as a Research Associate in August 2024. At ELI, he serves as the host of the People, Places, Planet podcast and coordinates the work of the Center for State and Local Governance, with a focus on food waste reduction and sustainability in municipalities. Additionally, Sebastian currently supports ELI’s Indoor Air Quality team in workshop planning and database upkeep as well as the Ocean Program’s research on Marine Protected Areas and its sustainable fisheries work in the Caribbean. Sebastian previously contributed to the Environmental Law Reporter’s federal updates and the Local Government Environmental Assistance Network (LGEAN).

Sebastian was born in Pereira, Colombia but grew up in Miami, FL, where his everyday experiences led him to develop an interest and passion for both the environment and social justice. In May 2024, Sebastian earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Environmental Studies and Political Science from Yale University. As an undergrad, he was honored to be a Director’s Fellow at the Institution of Social and Policy Studies, a President’s Public Service Fellow, and a Center for Latin American and Iberian Studies Fellow. He also served as the President of the Yale Student Environmental Coalition; during his tenure, he co-led a delegation of students to COP28, supported local and campus advocacy efforts, and coordinated educational campaigns. For his senior thesis research, Sebastian explored the linkages between environmental justice and peacebuilding in post-Agreement Colombia as well as the geopolitical implications of Chile’s domestic lithium policies.