New director Hans Bruyninckx starts work at the EEA
Belgian professor Hans Bruyninckx has taken office as of 1 June as Executive Director at the European Environment Agency (EEA) in Copenhagen. Before coming to the EEA, Dr Bruyninckx worked at Leuven University for several years. He was the General Director at the HIVA Research Institute [LINK], which specialises in policy research. He has lectured on environmental policy, sustainable development, European politics and international relations.
His recent research has spanned diverse topics including climate change policy, environment, international politics and governance. Dr Bruyninckx has conducted and managed research in more than a dozen countries. Alongside his native Dutch, he speaks fluent English, French and German. He replaces Jacqueline McGlade at the end of her second five-year term.
On taking up the position, Dr Bruyninckx said: “It is a great honour to be selected for this role. Many of the European Union’s great successes have been policies to protect our environment. Environmental issues are increasingly complex, interconnected and global, so the EEA needs to work to stay ahead and continue to provide effective information to policy makers. A healthy environment is essential for the security, health and prosperity of European citizens.”
PBL Netherland Environmental assessment Agency houses the ‘National Focal Point’ in The Netherlands for the European Environment Agency EEA. The NFP coordinates the national network in order to support the implementation of the EEA work programme.