Bernard Mathieu

Bernard Mathieu has 20 years industrial experience in the energy intensive industrial sector (till end 2017), with direct responsibility for climate strategies, greenhouse gases emission mitigation plans, CO2 trading, biodiversity, circular economy, social responsibility and related public affairs activities. He was directly engaged in various associations and project groups addressing the climate challenge, including with the International Energy Agency and the World Business Council for Sustainable Development. He was representing his former company or country during UNFCCC COP18, COP21, COP22, COP23 conferences.

Thanks to his chemical engineering background, he has a good understanding of greenhouse gas mitigation technologies.

His recent role within the cross-sectorial SPIRE Public Private Partnership (European Process Industries – EU Commission) demonstrated his ability to support the definition of a common vision and position across energy intensive sectors. His role as Climate Programme Director for the World Cement Association where he developed a Climate Action Plan for WCA member companies from all over the world also proved his capacity to reach global consensus and act effectively towards a common objective of “tackling transition towards low carbon societies”.

In 2019, Bernard was also selected to assess the ‘LC3 cement’ innovation project by the financing institution of the project (the Development and Cooperation Agency of the Swiss Confederation). The LC3 cement project develops and promotes new cements with low clinker content and low CO2 emissions, using calcined clay as clinker substitute.

Bernard’s “hands-on” experience and ability to build agreements make a clear difference.

Positions

• Sustainable Development Director of large international industrial companies over the last 10 years (HeidelbergCement, LafargeHolcim).
• Lecturer at ICHEC Business School (Brussels) and ULiège.
• President of ‘Engineers Without Borders Belgium’.
• Former Chairman of several trade associations and working groups at Global, European, Belgian and Regional level (WBCSD, CSI, EUCOPRO, FEB-VBO, Greenwin, Impact Valuation Roundtable).

Expertise

• Various experiences in Mergers & Acquisitions, technical marketing, operational management.
• Development of strategies, internal processes, reporting tools, partnerships.
• Strong background in Public Affairs.
• Development of partnerships with BirdLife International, GiZ (German Technical Cooperation), UN Habitat, Fauna & Flora International, WWF, Swiss Technical Cooperation.
• Management of teams from 2 to 24 people, animation of international networks (up to 450 people).
• Active participation and speeches at COP18, COP21, COP22, COP23, World Resources Forum, conferences in China/India/Brazil/London/Paris…
• GRI certified training.

Languages

French mother tongue, fluent in English and Dutch, good knowledge of German.

Assets

• In-depth “real world” understanding of the processes and constraints of the industry – as well as of the opportunities offered by the low-carbon transition;
• Excellent written and spoken communication skills;
• Facilitation and negotiation skills.