EU Scientific Advisory Board on Climate Change elects new Chair and Vice-Chairs for second mandate

From left to right: Suraje Dessai, Ottmar Edenhofer, Laura Díaz Anadón

The European Scientific Advisory Board on Climate Change has elected Professor Ottmar Edenhofer as Chair, together with Professors Laura Díaz Anadón and Suraje Dessai as Vice-Chairs, marking the start of its second mandate.

Following the launch of the new term on 24 March 2026, the Board’s leadership will guide its work in providing independent scientific advice to support the European Union’s climate objectives.

The Chair of the Advisory Board, Ottmar Edenhofer, Professor at Technische Universität Berlin and Director and Chief Economist at the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research, commented: “We are operating in a very different context from four years ago. With growing economic and geopolitical pressures, the Advisory Board will ensure its advice remains firmly grounded in science and supports Europe’s broader strategic priorities.”

The Vice-Chairs bring complementary expertise in climate mitigation and adaptation. Laura Díaz Anadón is Professor at the University of Cambridge and Director of the Centre for Environment, Energy & Natural Resource Governance. Suraje Dessai is Professor at the University of Leeds.

Professor Díaz Anadón, Vice-Chair of the Advisory Board, commented: “The Advisory Board will continue to serve as a key scientific reference for EU climate policy. A first priority will be to define our work programme for the year ahead.”

Professor Dessai, Vice-Chair of the Advisory Board, commented: “Our strength lies in our multidisciplinary expertise. By bringing together leading perspectives on mitigation and adaptation, we help strengthen the scientific basis of EU climate policy.”

All three are serving a second term as members of the Advisory Board. Their biographies and high-resolution photos are available on the Advisory Board website:

Ottmar Edenhofer, Chair of the Advisory Board
Laura Díaz Anadón, Vice-Chair of the Advisory Board
Suraje Dessai, Vice-Chair of the Advisory Board

In the coming months, the Advisory Board will define its priorities for 2026 and continue to deliver recommendations on key aspects of EU climate policy.

About the Advisory Board
The European Scientific Advisory Board on Climate Change is an independent body established by the European Climate Law in 2021. It provides scientific advice to support the achievement of the EU’s climate objectives, and comprises 15 independent senior experts.

The current members were appointed by the Management Board of the European Environment Agency on 4 December 2025 for a four-year term (2026-2030).