OrganizationPublished on 21 November 2025

Sector Biological Diversity

The Sector Biological Diversity comprises the divisions Biodiversity and Landscape, Soil and Biotechnology, and the Water division.

Biodiversity and Landscape Division

This division is the federal authority responsible for biodiversity and landscapes, their ecosystem services, conservation, promotion and development, and sustainable use and hunting.

Soil and Biotechnology Division

The division is responsible for the protection of our soils, for the remediation of contaminated sites and for biotechnology and genetic engineering

Water Division

The Water Division is responsible for the protection of surface water, groundwater and drinking water in accordance with the Water Protection Act. It represents Switzerland in international boundary water and fisheries commissions.

Direction

Carlo Scapozza has been Vice Director of the Federal Office for the Environment (FOEN) since 1 october 2025. He heads the sector Biological Diversity and is member of the management board of the FOEN.

Carlo Scapozza (1971) grew up in Olivone/Blenio (TI). He completed his baccalaureate (Type C, mathematics track) before enrolling in civil engineering at ETH Zurich. After graduating in early 1996, he worked in research and development of wood technologies and products and and managed specialised foundation and geotechnical engineering projects. He returned to ETH Zurich in 2000 to pursue a doctoral thesis on natural hazards and a postgraduate degree in business administration, both of which he completed in 2004.
In early 2005, he moved to the private sector, where he worked with public authorities at communal, cantonal and federal levels, developing and managing projects relating to flood protection, renaturalisation, utilities and waste disposal facilities.
In September 2015, he joined the Federal Office for the Environment (FOEN) as head of the Flood Protection Section, where he was responsible for oversight and funding of flood protection and renaturalisation projects, as well as advising cantonal authorities. In October 2019, he was promoted to head of the Hydrology Division, where his tasks included monitoring the quality and quantity of surface water and groundwater, assessing the effects of climate change on Swiss waters and providing flood warnings and drought information. In 2022, he also became deputy head of sector.
Carlo Scapozza was appointed FOEN vice director in October 2025. He heads the Biological Diversity Sector.

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Contact

Daniela Bodmer
Position: assistente di direzione
Tel.: +41 58 484 94 00
E-mail: daniela.bodmer@bafu.admin.ch