Dr. Karsten Sach

Karsten worked for the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, and Nuclear Safety for more than three decades. From 2016 to 2022, he was Director General of the Department “International and European Policies, Climate Protection.” He also served as Germany’s Chief Negotiator on Climate Change at the UNFCCC Conference of the Parties from 1999 to 2021 and was closely involved in the negotiations of the Paris Agreement. In addition, Karsten represented the German government in numerous international organisations and initiatives and worked closely with leading think tanks in the fields of climate, energy, environment, and international governance. 

Karsten was also strongly involved in the establishment of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA). He has worked for decades on the development of EU legislation on environmental and climate protection, including the European Green Deal. Between 2008 and 2014, he chaired the Management Board of the European Environment Agency (EEA).  

After his retirement in 2022, he now works as a freelance consultant on climate protection and chairs the International Advisory Board of GINGR.