Jochen Flasbarth Leaves German Environment Ministry to Lead European Climate Foundation

Jochen Flasbarth, who has served as State Secretary in the Federal Ministry for the Environment, announced his departure to assume the chief executive position at the European Climate Foundation. The foundation’s board approved his appointment on Monday evening, naming him successor to Laurence Tubiana, a key architect of the 2015 Paris climate agreement. Flasbarth plans to leave his ministerial post at the start of November, with Heike Henn slated to take over the secretarial duties.

His career includes leadership of the German Nature Conservation Union, a stint as head of the Federal Environment Agency, and eight years as State Secretary, during which climate and biodiversity were top policy priorities. After a period in the Development Ministry, he now returns to climate work on the international stage, a move he has long sought. The transition may raise questions about potential conflicts of interest, as German regulations require reporting of post-government jobs linked to former duties.