Tessa joined UNEP in 2000 to work on the third Global Environment Outlook and has since focused on strengthening the science-policy interface, environmental assessment, emerging issues, and programme development and management.
She was deeply involved in the development of the third and fourth Global Environment Outlook, UNEP’s flagship reports on the state of the environment, and provided project oversight for the Global Environment Facility in the areas of land degradation, biodiversity and international waters. She also led the emerging issues unit and served on several task teams on internal management processes, preparations of major intergovernmental events and sustainable development goals.
Goverse also served as the coordinator of the Environment under Review programme and as UNEP's Global Environment Facility task manager.
Tessa’s focus turned to chemicals, waste and pollution, where she worked as Chief for the Source to Sea Pollution Unit in the Ecosystems Division, and finally as Head of the Interim Secretariat of the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Panel on Chemicals, Waste and Pollution (ISP-CWP).
Before joining UNEP, Tessa worked on a range of international research projects in the field of ecology, technology development and life cycle analysis. With a Master of Science degree in biology and a Doctor of Philosophy degree in industrial innovation and climate change, she has a strong multidisciplinary background in environmental science and sustainable development.
