Defra has appointed World Bank chief scientist and former White House adviser Robert Watson as its new chief scientific adviser.

Watson leaves his role at the World Bank in September to join the government department. At Defra his position will be to advise ministers on scientific issues and build on existing measures to ensure that science and technology are used to inform policy.

Watson, who has also worked at NASA, undertook a similar role at the White House as associate director for environment.

In particular, Watson will be charged with supporting the UK government’s scientific work on minimising the effects of climate change and improving sustainability by promoting coherence across Defra and working together with other government departments, Defra explained.

Watson explained: “During my five years as chair of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, I have worked closely with Defra in such areas as climate change. Defra has a wide portfolio including biodiversity and tackling animal disease and in other roles I’ve been involved with the Millenium Ecosystem Report and the International Assessment of Agricultural Science and Technology Development.”