Prior to joining WRI, Esben had a political career in the Kingdom of Denmark as Member of City Council from 2006-2014, Deputy Mayor from 2010-2014, Member of the Danish Parliament from 2011-2018, and Cabinet Minister in Her Majesty the Queens Government from 2015-2018. First as Minister for Higher Education and Research and secondly as Minister for Environment and Food. Being a farmer's son, Esben always had an interest in food, forest and agriculture.
Esben holds a Masters in Theology from the University of Copenhagen and a PhD from the University of Copenhagen about freedom of speech and freedom of religion.