World Resources Institute (WRI): Dr. Hans Bruyninckx appointed Regional Director of WRI Europe

Dr. Hans Bruyninckx was appointed as the new Regional Director of WRI Europe, announced the global research institute at The Hague, on 01 September 2026. At a time of growing environmental and political pressure in Europe, he will lead WRI Europe's work with governments, businesses and other partners to bring evidence-based solutions into these interconnected debates across food, land, water, cities, energy, as well as climate finance and governance.

Hans Bruyninckx most recently served as a Commissioner on WHO’s Pan-European Commission on Climate and Health. From 2013 to 2023, he led the European Environment Agency (EEA), overseeing its work to provide independent environmental evidence and analysis to policymakers across the European Union.

A Belgian national, Hans Bruyninckx studied political science and international relations at Antwerp University and KU Leuven, followed by a degree in development economics at the University of Louvain (UCLouvain). He earned his PhD in international environmental politics from Colorado State University in 1996.

Hans Bruyninckx will begin his…