Yoko Alender
Estonian Reform Party
In undertaking to perform the duties of a member of the Government of the Republic, I am aware that I shall bear responsibility in this office before the Republic of Estonia and my conscience. I solemnly swear to remain faithful to the constitutional order of the Republic of Estonia and to devote my strength to securing the welfare and future of the people of Estonia.
23 July 2024, Tallinn
Minister of Climate of the Republic of Estonia from 23 July 2024
Yoko Alender was born on 13 June 1979 in Tallinn. She is married and a mother of four. She joined the Estonian Reform Party in 2014 and is a member of its board. In 2013–2014, she was a member of the Pro Patria and Res Publica Union.
Career
- 2021–2024 Member of the Supervisory Board of the State Forest Management Centre
- From 2021 Member of the Supervisory Board of the Sweden-Estonia Cooperation Fund
- 2019–2024 Member of the 14th and 15th Riigikogu, Chair of the Cultural Affairs Committee (2019), Deputy Chair (2019–2021) and Chair (2021–2022) of the Environment Committee
- 2018–2019 Member of the Supervisory Board of the National Library of Estonia
- 2015–2016 Member of the Supervisory Board of Riigi Kinnisvara AS
- 2013–2015 and 2017–2018 and 2021 Member of the Tallinn City Council
- 2012–2014 Adviser on architecture and design in the Ministry of Culture
- From 2012 Member of the Board of Yoko Oma OÜ
- 2008–2012 Chief Specialist of the Heritage and Environmental Areas Unit of the Tallinn Culture and Heritage Department
- 2006–2007 Architect and project manager at Urbanmark OÜ
- 2005–2006 Member of the Board of ZiZi YoYo OÜ
- 2001–2004 Member of the Board of Kultorg OÜ
- 2001–2015 Member of the Board of the Estonian Institute of Buddhism
Education
She studied at Hugh Christie Technology College in 1996–1997 and graduated from the Estonian Academy of Arts in 2010 with a master’s degree in architecture and urban planning. In 2022, she started her doctoral studies at the Estonian Academy of Arts. She speaks Estonian as her native language, and also speaks English, Swedish and German.
Awards and acknoledgements
In 2023, she was awarded the Commander Cross of the Swedish Royal Order of the Polar Star.
Other
Her interests include architecture, music, and travelling.
About the job of the Minister of Climate
The Minister of Climate chairs the Ministry of Climate and is responsible for its area of governance.
The minister is appointed and released from office by the President of the Republic on the proposal of the prime minister. The minister will assume office by taking an oath of office before the Riigikogu.
The Minister of Climate is responsible for:
- the comprehensive implementation of the climate reform and the climate policy, including the design, implementation, and monitoring of climate plans for different sectors, steering businesses towards cleaner technologies, organising transport for a cleaner environment, accelerating the development of renewable energy, and coordinating the implementation of renewable energy projects;
- organising policies on the circular economy and waste management, organising the environmental protection and conservation of nature, organising the use, protection, recovery, and accounting of natural resources, organising environmental monitoring, meteorological observation, policies on natural and marine research, water protection and use, policies on the protection and use of the marine environment, policies on the protection of the ambient air and radiation and nuclear safety, and environmental monitoring.
Ministry of Climate
The Ministry of Climate of Estonia focuses on enhancing the living environment while taking into consideration environmental protection. The Ministry’s work ensures sustainable development and responsible economic growth, considering both current and future generations.
Organisation of work of the Government of the Republic
The government implements the state’s domestic and foreign policy. The government makes decisions on a collegial basis on behalf of the executive. The competence of ministers in managing ministries and the areas of responsibility of ministers are determined with an order of the prime minister.
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