Our Approach

The FS-UNEP Centre adopts a distinctive approach, merging research and expertise to facilitate the financing of a transition toward a greener, climate-resilient future, fostering societal prosperity. Our goal is to attract diverse investors, particularly by stimulating private sector investment in sustainable, low-carbon economic endeavors. Private sector funding plays a pivotal role in addressing the challenges posed by climate change.

The FS-UNEP Centre endeavors to motivate and assist the finance community in amplifying current investments and venturing into new markets. A critical aspect of this endeavor involves empowering the public sector to implement policies, regulations, and initiatives that mitigate existing or perceived investment risks and other barriers identified by the private sector. Our objective is to bridge the gap between the demand and supply of sustainable financing by advocating for intelligent financial structures and mechanisms.

Our Vision

We aim to drive the global transition towards a clean and sustainable environment – an area driven by a low-carbon economy and environmentally conscious, empowered communities and businesses.

To realise this vision, we are committed to accelerating the necessary adaptations. This can only be realised through collaboration, engagement and strategic advice with financial stakeholders to encourage the development of innovative, smart and workable solutions.

Our Team & Expertise

The team at Frankfurt School – UNEP Collaborating Centre for Climate & Sustainable Energy Finance combines an in-depth knowledge of finance markets, particularly in developing and emerging countries, with extensive skills for the design of appropriate financial mechanisms and contractual arrangements for financiers under local conditions. It acts as a bridge-builder between the public and private sector, developing and developed countries, high-level climate policy negotiators and on-the-ground project developers. It generates a mutual benefit by bringing the demand for financing, with those able to supply it, together.

 

Management

Prof. Dr. Ulf Moslener

Head of Centre Research and Head of Finance

Carola Menzel-Hausherr

Head of FS-UNEP Centre

Fatma Dirkes

Director and Vice President Frankfurt School International Advisory Services

Climate Topic Leaders

Carola Menzel - Hausherr
Carola Menzel - HausherrHead of FS-UNEP Centre
Focus on essentials

Area of Expertise

  • Sustainable finance
  • Organisational development
  • Environment & social management systems
  • Climate & environment-related financial disclosure
  • Project cycle management
Dr. Christine Grüning
Dr. Christine GrüningDirector

Area of Expertise

  • Climate Finance
  • International Climate Policy
  • Green Climate Fund
  • Education
  • Global Trends in Renewable Energy Report
Dr. Jörg Oelschläger
Dr. Jörg Oelschläger Director

Area of Expertise

  • International Development Cooperation
  • Private Sector Development, Sustainable Energies, Public Finance, Aid Effectiveness
  • Global climate finance, banking as well as public promotional instruments
  • Regional focus on Africa (anglophone, francophone)
  • Management of complex programmes
Dr. Karol Kempa
Dr. Karol KempaDirector
I take it the odds are against us and the situation is grim. […] Sounds like fun! – James T. Kirk

Research Areas

  • Environmental and Energy Economics
  • Climate Policy
  • Climate Finance
  • Applied Econometrics

Team

Sophia Hörbelt
Sophia HörbeltProject Coordinator
Mathilde Bossut
Mathilde BossutResearcher
Sarah Appelt
Sarah AppeltProject Coordinator
Alokananda Nath
Alokananda NathProject Manager
Salma Ibrahim
Salma IbrahimProject Coordinator
Zühal Ürgüplü Sanal
Zühal Ürgüplü SanalSenior Project Manager
Dr. Christian Haas
Dr. Christian Haas Postdoctoral Researcher
Frederic Bettini
Frederic BettiniProject Manager
Each and every one of us can make changes in the way we live our lives and become part of the solution.
Pauline Delacoe
Pauline DelacoeExecutive Assistant to the Vice President
What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make. Dr Jane Goodall, Scientist & Activist
Iara Linz
Iara Linz Project Coordinator
Arturo Martinez-Oest
Arturo Martinez-OestProject Coordinator
When the winds of change blow, some people build walls, others build windmills – Chinese Proverb
Menglu Neupert-Zhuang
Menglu Neupert-ZhuangSustainable Finance Researcher
Research is to see what everybody else has seen, and think what nobody has thought. Research is formalised curiosity. It is poking and prying with a purpose – Albert Szent-Gyorgyi & Zora Neale Hurston
Saskia Peters
Saskia PetersProject Coordinator
There is no planet B. We must do what we can today to save our tomorrow.
Laura Kempa
Laura KempaProject Manager & Adaptation Finance Expert
Many individuals are doing what they can. But real success can only come if there is a change in our societies and in our economics and in our politics. – David Attenborough
Sebastian Rink
Sebastian RinkGreen and Sustainable Finance Expert
The climate crisis requires unprecedented action – mainstream finance needs to become a driving force.
Alexandra Kinywamaghana
Alexandra KinywamaghanaProject Coordinator
Michael König
Michael König Senior Project Manager
My house is your house.
Yamini Jain
Yamini JainProject Manager
Héctor Fabián Garavito Flórez
Héctor Fabián Garavito FlórezProject Assistant
Jayashiree Elango
Jayashiree Elango Project Manager
Martin Cremer
Martin CremerSeed Capital Assistance Facility
Today’s challenges require the mobilization of private capital through the smart use of public money, especially for de-risking early stage development activities. The SCAF is an example of such an approach, with a strong opportunity for replication.
Derek Campbell
Derek CampbellSeed Capital Assistance Facility
We all have a responsibility not only to address tomorrows challenges but yesterdays’ failures.