The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) seeks an inaugural Executive Director for our new Forest and Climate Change Program to address the dual crises of climate change and biodiversity loss. This is a unique opportunity for an exceptional climate change leader to play a key role in addressing the greatest challenge facing our planet.
WCS is creating a new Forest and Climate Change Program to address the dual crises of climate change and biodiversity loss. The scope of WCS’ forest and climate change portfolio extends to the forests and ecosystems of every country where WCS works. Fifty-five of the long-term landscapes across 13 regions where WCS implements field conservation are forested. We work closely with national governments, private sector partners and multilateral agencies and agreements to advocate global policy changes toward a more sustainable development.
The goal of WCS’ Forest and Climate Change strategy is to maximize the contribution of NBS to meet global 1.5° and 2° targets set out in the Paris Agreement, and to develop and promote measures for adaptation to climate change. Intact forests are also critical for global biodiversity and achieving sustainable development – they are exceptionally resilient to fire, drought and storms exacerbated by climate change, sustain the livelihoods and cultures of many Indigenous Peoples, minimize extinction risk for huge numbers of wildlife and plant species and maintain regional rainfall patterns much more effectively than degraded forests.
