Andris Piebalgs is a Professor at the European University Institute. He is the Chairman of the Implementation Committee of the International Methane Emissions Observatory. Before joining the EUI, Andris Piebalgs was EU Commissioner for Energy and EU Commissioner for Development. He is a key figure in the formation of the EU's renewable energy and energy efficiency policies and made a crucial impact in the creation of the European energy market. Andris Piebalgs has a distinguished carrier as Latvian politician and diplomat. As Latvia's Ambassador to EU he played an important role in Latvia's accession to the EU.