Petra Schwager is chief of the climate and technology partnership division in the Directorate of SDG Innovation and Economic Transformation of the UN Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO). Ms Schwager has more than 20 years of experience in building up global and national programmes for inclusive and sustainable industrial development. She has worked closely with governments, financial institutions, universities and industries in more than 40 countries in Asia, Africa, Central and Eastern Europe, and Latin America.
Her field of expertise covers the promotion of innovative and circular economy approaches, green hydrogen, resource- and energy-efficient solutions, renewable energy, sustainable/eco-industrial parks, green chemistry and sustainable performance-based business models. In her projects she pays special attention to gender parity, supporting women’s participation and leadership. In her current position at UNIDO, she develops and manages strategic partnerships and technical co-operation on climate and technology innovation.
Ms Schwager heads UNIDO’s global programme and partnership promoting green/renewable hydrogen in industry to support net zero industrial and economic transformation in developing and transition countries. She co-ordinates UNIDO’s engagement at high-level climate-related policy events and is a regular speaker at high-level events such as G20 and COP27. She studied economics at the Vienna University of Economics and Business Administration and environmental management at the University of London.
