Sebastian König

Head Science-Policy ¦ Ph.D. ¦ Representing Switzerland in IPCC & IPBES (Weltklima- & Weltbiodiversitätsrat) ¦ Education and Research ¦ Sustainability ¦ ESG

Bern, Berne, Switzerland

About

My focus is on connecting policy and implementation, improving transparency, and finding the right levers for action on climate and sustainability. Deeply committed to strengthening the foundations of education and research/science. I am a Senior Policy Advisor with more than a decade of experience developing and implementing environmental and sustainability policy at national and international levels. My work spans government coordination, diplomatic work, multilateral negotiations, and stakeholder engagement. I am a Certified Sustainability Reporting Specialist, with an interest in supporting organizations in producing credible and transparent ESG reports that meet evolving standards and stakeholder expectations. I am passionate about communications, ensuring the right information reaches the right audiences and making complex policy and sustainability issues accessible and actionable. I hold a PhD in climate and environmental sciences and a Management Certificate in Project Management from Cornell University, which strengthens my ability to deliver effective projects. At the core of my interest is a commitment to combining policy expertise, ESG knowledge, and communication to drive progress in sustainability across public and private sectors.

Experience

  • IPBES (Part-time · 2 yrs 10 mos)
    • Vice Chair
      Jan 2026 - Present · 6 mos

      Bureau member representing the United Nations Western Europe and Others Group in the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES). The IPBES Bureau is a subsidiary body established by the Plenary which carries out the governance functions of the Platform. It is made up of 10 representatives nominated from each of the United Nations regions, and is chaired by the Chair of IPBES.

    • Alternate Bureau Member
      Sep 2023 - Dec 2025 · 2 yrs 4 mos

  • Federal Office for the Environment FOEN (Bern, Berne, Switzerland)
    • Head Science-Policy (Chief Scientist Environment International)
      Sep 2021 - Present · 4 yrs 10 mos

      Representing Switzerland in the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC, Weltklimarat) and the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES, Weltbiodiversitätsrat), including serving as head of delegations. Responsible Science-Policy interface, including partnerships with academies & educational institutions;

    • Senior Policy Advisor
      Aug 2015 - Aug 2021 · 6 yrs 1 mo

      Environment and sustainability policy and implementation at the international and national levels: - Member of the Swiss National Committee for the Implementation of the Agenda 2030 in Switzerland: Development of the Sustainable Development Strategy Switzerland (Strategy Nachhaltige Entwicklung Schweiz) - Member of the Swiss Delegation to the UN with respect the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development: Development of the Swiss Voluntary National Review Reports (SDG-Länderberichte der Schweiz) - Swiss Focal Point for Sustainable Consumption and Production Patterns (SDG12) of the UN (One Planet Network) - Swiss Focal Point for the UN Environment Programme (UNEP)

  • Science Officer and Project Manager at Federal Office of Meteorology and Climatology MeteoSwiss
    Aug 2012 - Jul 2015 · 3 yrs

    Leading a large capacity building project in 10 developing and emerging countries in Africa, South America, Central and Southeast Asia Leading role in national coordination of climate relevant / environmental observations in Switzerland Supporting and representing Swiss delegations at national and international panels, includes UNFCCC and WMO Supporting MeteoSwiss in WMO-led Global Framework for Climate Services

  • University of Massachusetts Amherst (4 yrs 6 mos)
    • Research and Teaching Fellow
      Sep 2007 - Feb 2012 · 4 yrs 6 mos

      Dissertation: Numerical modeling of climates, ice sheets, oceans and vegetation dynamics: Quantifying extreme states of the Greenland Ice Sheet in a warmer then present world. Among others publications in Science and Climate Dynamics. Co-initiated international model intercomparison project (Co-PI) Lectured graduate and undergraduate level students

    • Isenberg School of Management Scholar
      Apr 2010 - Sep 2011 · 1 yr 6 mos

      Entrepreneurship/Incubator/VentureLab: Led a team of scientists and managers to develop a innovative services to quantify risk and losses from climate extremes, including temperature, drought/rainfall, or wind. The service was intended for policymakers and insurance professionals working at the city and state levels.

  • Graduate Research And Teaching Assistant at Universität Bern
    Sep 2005 - Mar 2007 · 1 yr 7 mos

    Contributed to scientific publications Supported weekly labs on meteorology and climate fundamentals