“There is no future economy on a broken planet. The transition is not a cost. It is survival.”
Teresa Ribera Rodriguez was born in 1969 in Madrid, Spain. She holds a law degree from Complutense University of Madrid and a master's in international environmental law from Sciences Po Paris. A career climate diplomat, she led the IDDRI (Institut du Developpement Durable et des Relations Internationales) in Paris as Director before returning to the Spanish government.
She returned to Spanish government in 2018 as Minister for Ecological Transition — one of the most powerful environment portfolios in Europe. She shepherded Spain's National Energy and Climate Plan, accelerated Spain's renewable energy buildout to over 50% of electricity generation, and represented Spain as host of COP25 in Madrid in 2019.
The Green Deal is not a European project. It is a survival strategy for the planet.
In 2024 she was appointed Executive Vice President of the European Commission for the Clean, Just Transition — one of the most powerful climate policy roles in the world, overseeing the EU Green Deal's implementation across all 27 member states. Her portfolio spans the Fit for 55 legislation, the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), the European hydrogen strategy, and the social dimensions of the energy transition.
Ribera is widely regarded as the most consequential climate policy architect in Europe and one of the most significant globally, overseeing the $600 billion public clean transition investment framework — the most ambitious in history.
Career Milestones
Law degree from Complutense University; master's in international environmental law from Sciences Po Paris.
Led one of Europe's foremost climate policy institutes.
Appointed to one of Europe's most powerful environment portfolios.
Organised and hosted COP25 as Spain's minister.
Oversaw Spain's solar and wind buildout surpassing 50% of electricity generation.
Appointed to one of the world's most powerful climate policy roles.
Led implementation of the world's first carbon border tax.
Recognised by the Independent Global Council for outstanding climate policy leadership.
One of the most powerful climate positions in the world — overseeing the EU Green Deal across 27 member states.
Under her ministry, Spain became one of Europe's leading renewable energy producers.
Principal architect of the EU's most comprehensive climate law package — 55% emissions reduction by 2030.
Organised and hosted the 2019 UN Climate Conference in Madrid.
Led implementation of the world's first carbon border tax — a landmark in climate trade policy.
Recognised as Europe's most consequential climate policy architect and a globally significant force in the clean energy transition.
Oversees the $600B EU clean transition framework — the most ambitious public climate finance programme in history.
Principal architect of Europe's most comprehensive climate law package: 55% emissions reduction by 2030, carbon neutrality by 2050.
Led the world's first carbon border tax — rebalancing trade to incentivise clean production beyond EU borders.
Championed the social dimensions of climate transition — ensuring workers in fossil fuel industries are not abandoned in the shift to clean energy.
Teresa Ribera is doing something politicians rarely manage: making the long-term emergency feel urgent enough to act on today.— European Commission President von der Leyen, 2024
The Independent Global Council of ACCLAD recognises Teresa Ribera of Spain as an Honoree, Class of 2025, in Climate & Environment, in acknowledgement of her 27 years of sustained climate and energy policy leadership, her architecture of Europe's Fit for 55 legislation framework, and her stewardship of the world's most ambitious public clean transition investment programme as Executive Vice President of the European Commission.