Patrick Clerens studied law at the University of Saarbrucken and the University of Mainz. Since 1996, he has worked as a consultant for a private company specialising in European Affairs in Brussels. In his capacity as Brussels Representative of different European associations, he has been involved in the energy and climate field since 2003. He is the Secretary General of ESWET – the association of the European Suppliers of Waste-to-Energy Technology since February 2008.