Achim Halpaap has more than twenty-five years of leadership experience in international environment and sustainable development research, capacity development, policy-making and management in public, academic, private, and non-governmental organizations. Achim's areas of expertise include: green and circular economy, chemicals and waste management, environmental governance, and capacity development.
At UN Environment, Achim served until October 2017 as Head of the Chemicals and Health Branch. Prior roles include Senior Manager, Environment and Green Development, and Associate Director of Training at the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR). Academic experiences include research and teaching appointments at the University of Cape Town (South Africa), Yale University and the University of Oregon. Professional career commenced in the private sector at the Bayer Corporation, Germany working on chemicals and waste management legislation and regulation in the early 90’s.