Wopke Hoekstra

European Commissioner for Climate Action, Carbon Neutrality and Green Growth

 

Wopke Hoekstra is the European Commissioner for Climate Action, Carbon Neutrality and Green Growth, a position he has held since 2023. In this role, he is responsible for steering the European Union’s climate strategy, aligning it with the European Green Deal and the continent’s long-term goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.

 

Prior to his appointment at the European Commission, Hoekstra was a key figure in Dutch politics. A member of the Christian Democratic Appeal (CDA), he served as the Netherlands’ Minister of Finance from 2017 to 2022 and as Minister of Foreign Affairs until 2023. He played a crucial role in managing post-COVID economic recovery policies while advocating for responsible fiscal governance within the EU.

 

A graduate of Utrecht University and INSEAD, Hoekstra also worked in the private sector, holding positions at Shell and McKinsey & Company. His career bridges economic policy, political leadership, and strategic advisory. As Climate Commissioner, he is now committed to ensuring that Europe becomes a global champion in climate action—combining ecological ambition with economic resilience.