Former U.N. climate chief to head GGGI

The Global Green Growth Institute on Monday tapped as its new director general Yvo de Boer, former executive secretary of the U.N. Framework Convention on Climate Change, the Seoul-based organization said.

He will replace Howard Bamsey, who plans to return to his native Australia after a one-year stint.

De Boer, currently the global chairman of climate change and sustainability services at KPMG International, one of the world’s largest accounting and consulting networks, is due to begin his four-year term on April 15.

Prior to joining KPMG, the Dutch environment expert led the global efforts to fight global warming as U.N. climate chief from 2006-10. He also served as deputy director general at the Dutch Environment Ministry, vice chair of the U.N. Commission on Sustainable Development and an adviser to the Chinese government and the World Bank.

The institution was set up in 2010 by the Korean government to bridge rich and poor countries to fund and share technological know-how for environmentally friendly development.

“The GGGI’s work can add value to creating prosperity at a time when humans are experiencing challenges such as climate change, energy, water, population growth and an increase in urbanization,” de Boer said in a statement.

By Shin Hyon-hee (heeshin@heraldcorp.com)