With two decades of experience in international and domestic executive policy making, Ms. Connie Hedegaard today assumes several key positions in support of a low-carbon and green economy. These include Chair of the Board for the EU Commissions Mission Board on Adaptation to Climate Change, Chair of OECD’s Round Table for Sustainable Development, and membership of the Sustainability Council of Volkswagen AG.
Connie Hedegaard has had climate action as a centrepiece of her political effort since she was appointed Minister of Environment to Denmark in 2004. Her political career she initiated in 1984 when she was elected to the Danish parliament as the youngest ever to exercise the mandate. In 1990 she decided to leave parliament and focus on a career in journalism, achieving 14 years in the print press, as TV anchor and as head of Danish Radio News (DR), respectively. Hence, she has a very elaborate engagement in issues concerning the interplay between media, the public and democracy.
Connie Hedegaard was the European Commissioner for Climate Action from 2010 to 2014, during which she led the negotiations towards the adoption of the EU 2030 Climate and Energy Framework. As EU Commissioner, she was also responsible for the 2050 Roadmap for moving to a low carbon economy and represented the EU in the international climate negotiations.