Erik Ness's work focuses on expanding the use of renewable and energy efficiency technologies in the Asia-Pacific region. He has a background in policy analysis, business development, finance and technology analysis. Erik currently manages Clean Energy Solutions Center (CESC) activities funded by the Australian government. Since 2012, Erik has worked with island nations to develop strategies to reduce their consumption of fossil fuels. He has worked on wind and waste-to-energy studies in Haiti and has consulted with several Pacific island countries and territories to develop strategic energy plans and policy implementation strategies.

Erik has also had an interest in promoting tribal energy development since the 1990s, when he worked for a consortium of tribes with fossil fuel and uranium resources. He worked with DOE's Tribal Energy Program from 2004 to 2012. In 2011, he worked with DOE's Office of Indian Energy to develop a training curriculum in energy project development and finance. From 2010 to 2011, Erik co-managed the U.S. Department of Treasury's "1603 Program" (part of the American Recovery Act).