Jennifer Morgan to Lead WRI’s Climate Team

The World Resources Institute (WRI) has named Jennifer L. Morgan as director of its Climate and Energy Program. 

Morgan will join WRI next month after working in distinguished roles at a variety of organizations, including E3G, the Worldwide Fund for Nature, and the U.S. Climate Action Network. At WRI, she succeeds Jonathan Pershing, now the deputy special envoy for climate change under U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

WRI President Jonathan Lash said, “At this crucial time in the climate change and energy challenges, we are fortunate to have someone as experienced and talented as Jennifer. She will be a strong leader for WRI’s top-notch team of climate experts.”

Morgan added, “This is a pivotal moment in time to avoid the worst impacts of climate change. I think WRI can play a key role in transforming the conventional debate and building new coalitions. We can map a pathway to a prosperous future for the people and the planet.”

For the past three years, Morgan was director of the Climate Change Program at E3G (Third Generation Environmentalism), a London-based think-tank. During this time, she has been a key advisor to the German government and advised former U.K. Prime Minister Tony Blair on his Breaking the Climate Deadlock project.

E3G’s CEO Nick Mabey said, “Though we are of course sorry to lose someone with Jennifer’s unique talents, we are also proud to see her move to back to the U.S. to take such  an important role at WRI. E3G and WRI have a longstanding organizational relationship, and Jennifer’s move will help strengthen our collaboration in the common goal to fight climate change.”

Prior to working at E3G, she led the Global Climate Change Program at WWF and acted as chief spokesperson for the organization on climate change. As director, she doubled the size of WWF’s climate team and established a presence in several new countries, especially in the Asia Pacific region.

Morgan has also worked on city planning for the International Council for Local Environmental Issues, international trade for the Natural Resources Defense Council, and World Bank policy for the National Audubon Society. She has served on a number of boards, including the Climate Action Network, the Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Partnership, and REN21. Morgan will continue to serve on E3G’s board.

WRI’s Climate and Energy Program has recently grown to more than 40 people, and has a 2009 budget of more than $6.5 million. The program conducts independent policy research and analysis, and works with partners around the world to advance effective international and U.S. responses to climate change.