Karl Hamilton

Head of Digital Department

European Environment Agency

GovTech & Public sector

About Me

Karl Hamilton is Head of the Digital Department at the European Environment Agency (EEA), a decentralised agency of the European Union delivering knowledge and data to support Europe’s environment and climate goals. He leads the agency’s digitalisation strategy, overseeing technology, innovation, data management and Earth observation services, including Copernicus Land and In Situ, supporting their adoption in the domains of environment, climate and sustainability. With over 20 years of experience across the public and private sectors, Karl has led diverse teams to foster innovation, implement digital change strategies, enhance digital capabilities and deliver data-driven transformation initiatives. Prior to joining the EEA, he held roles at the European Medicines Agency, the Royal Bank of Scotland Group and Microsoft. Karl holds a BEng in Computer Science from Queen’s University Belfast and an MSc in Technology Management from The Open University.

Hear My Insights

How Can Tech Help Us Preserve the Natural Environment?

Climate change and biodiversity loss are inseparable challenges — we cannot address one without tackling the other. Yet for over a decade, ecosystems on land and in water have faced unprecedented pressure, from intensifying wildfires to rising ocean temperatures, driving a steep decline in species and natural habitats. While the tech sector undeniably contributes to environmental strain, from high energy demands to e-waste, it also holds immense potential to drive solutions. From cutting-edge innovations to frugal, nature-inspired technologies, bold initiatives are already reshaping how we protect and restore our planet. This session will spotlight actors and technologies working to preserve biodiversity, sustain ecosystems, and harness tech’s transformative power to safeguard our natural world.