Sara Aagesen, a 48-year-old trained chemical engineer specialising in environment, became an adviser to Ribera in 2018 before being appointed secretary of state in 2020.

A graduate of Madrid's Complutense University, she has represented Spain at several international summits and has been a member of the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, whose reports represent global scientific consensus on the issue.

Ribera, one of Socialist Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez's most influential ministers, has been appointed vice president of the European Commission with responsibility over a vast environmental portfolio as well as competition matters.

The European Parliament still has to formally approve the new commission, with a vote expected November 27.