Hamsa Cárdenas Moreno, LL.M., MSc., MSc.
Thematic Area Environment and Society
Department of Environmental Politics
Helmholtz Centre
for Environmental Research − UFZ
Permoserstr. 15
04318 Leipzig, Germany
phone: ++49 - 341 - 235
hamsa.cardenas@ufz.de
Research Interests
- Biodiversity, sustainability transitions and sustainability finance including nature-based solutions (NbS) governance
- Multi-layer environmental governance, linking community-based, sub-national, national, and global decision-making
- Community-based and multi-level environmental governance
- Indigenous peoples’ rights, territorial governance, and protection of cultural heritage and traditional practices
- Socio-environmental conflicts, land-use change, and community–state–corporate dynamics
Curriculum Vitae
Professional Experience
Frankfurt School of Finance & Management – UNEP Collaborating Centre for Climate & Sustainable Energy Finance
Consultant in sustainable transformation, nature-based solutions NbS and Biodiversity Finance.
Helmholtz Center for Enviromental Research (UFZ)
Researcher in environmental policy, sustainable consumption, biodiversity finance, rights of nature, nature-based solutions NbS, regenerative agriculture, science–policy processes.
2020 − 2022
Burg-Schloss Mühlberg an der Elbe (Brandenburg)
Project Coordinator. Multinational cultural heritage restoration project, legal, financial, and stakeholder processes.
2018 − 2019
NGO - Collective of Lawyers José Alvear Restrepo
Led strategic environmental and human rights litigation, environmental compliance analysis, and advocacy before national and international judicial bodies.
2015 − 2017
University del Rosario – Interdisciplinary Environmental Studies
International Environmental Law Researcher.
2015 − 2019
Humus Sapiens
Co-founder. Development of integrated composting systems and environmental education projects.
2015
Macías Gómez & Lawyers
Corporate Environmental Law Intern.
Education
2021 − 2024
MSc in Sustainable Development (Double Degree, Erasmus Mundus), Universität Leipzig (Germany) & University of Graz (Austria)
2022 − 2024
MSc in Natural Sciences, Ca’ Foscari University of Venice (Italy), specialization in climate impact, vulnerability, and adaptation
2018 − 2021
LL.M. in Law (Human Rights), Universidad del Rosario (Colombia) & Universität Augsburg (Germany)
2011 − 2017
Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.), Universidad del Rosario (Colombia), Major in International Public and Private Law
Current Projects
- State of Finance for Nature – Nature Transition Colombia Case Study
Reducing Consumption and Production Action Proposals / Integrated Framework Assessment
Nature Transition X-curve and Transition Pathways to Nature-Positive Outcomes
Nature-Based Solutions (NbS) for Industry Adaptations - Paisajes Futuros / Future Landscapes: Implementation and Financing of Ecosystem-based Adaptation (EbA) by the Food and Agriculture Sector to Reduce Climate Risk and Environmental Impacts in Latin America Paisajes Futuros / Future Landscapes
Publications
König-Sykorova, M., Olsen, N., Grimm Bertello, M.H., Menzel-Hausherr, C., Tyagi, A., Förster, J., Rode, J., Cardenas Moreno, H., Mulder, I., Smith, J., Mitchell, A. (2026): Nature in the red: Powering the trillion dollar nature transition economy 978-92-807-4258-9 United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), Nairobi, 89 pp. here
Cárdenas Moreno, H. (2021). “Democapitalism – democracy, capital and technology.” Democapitalismo, Democracia, Capital y Tecnología. Revista de la Academia Colombiana de Jurisprudencia (ACJ), 1(373), 323–356. here
Cárdenas Moreno, H. (2018). “Silent Genocide – Wastes, hazardous chemicals and forbidden pesticides in Colombia and the world.” Genocidio silencioso: Desechos, químicos peligrosos y pesticidas prohibidos en Colombia y el mundo. Editorial Universidad del Rosario. here