Lead of Climate Action - China

Job title: Lead of Climate Action - China

Duration: Fixed-term contract by 31 August 2024 (with possibility to extend)

Location: Beijing, China

The World Economic Forum, committed to improving the state of the world, is the International Organization for Public-Private Cooperation. The Forum engages the foremost political, business and other leaders of society to shape global, regional and industry agendas.

As China is delivering towards the 2030 carbon peaking and 2060 carbon neutrality targets, the Forum sees an opportunity to support key government and business partners in reaching the ambitious goals. The Forum leveraged its presence in China and expertise within our centres to have created a dedicated China Climate Action team in the country.

The Forum’s Centre for Nature and Climate (CNC) is a multistakeholder platform to safeguard our global commons. It catalyses partnerships in order to fast track industry and government towards net zero, nature positive transformation.

Industry Decarbonization for Net-Zero

Net-Zero pillar focuses on Industry decarbonisation by scaling climate ambition, governance and fiduciary duties, decarbonisation pathways, greening value chains, innovating on finance, digitization and technology including carbon markets.

We listed a few potentials here below for illustration of the scope of work for this position. There might be changes to which initiatives to be further designed and developed in Greater China. The actual work scope will be subject to further adjustment. The existing initiatives are:

• Alliance of CEO Climate Leaders: CEO-led community globally committed to reach net-zero emissions by 2050 at the latest. This group currently comprises CEOs who disclose their companies' emissions and who are focused on shaping 2030 delivery plans.
• Climate Governance Initiative: The Network of 26 CGI Chapters in 57 countries engage more than 200K chairs and boards of directors to make sure climate is adequately and effectively considered in boardroom priorities.
• Carbon Markets: A community of business leaders, governments, and experts that engage in dialogue to better understand the challenges and opportunities of both voluntary and compliance markets.

Through its Beijing office, the Forum leverages its established presence in China to drive impact in building & strengthening the initiatives for Greater China and global by building knowledge and insights, and building & curating communities, strengthening existing, developing flagship net-zero initiatives in China.

Breakdown of main responsibilities

Stakeholder engagement

• Plan and execute China-based climate engagements with relevant senior stakeholders in government, business, and civil society, in partnership with the forum leaders, and in collaboration with the Forum’s Government and Business Engagement teams
• Collaborate with leading organizations locally and globally to share high ambition guidance
• Collaborate with the Business team to grow and deepen engagement with the Forum’s existing and potential partners

Project management

• Scope for global initiatives that can localize in China and initiate China-dedicated initiatives as needed to define a strong value proposition
• Lead programmatic planning and curation of net-zero events in China
• Collaborate with other Centres colleagues across the Forum in line with China’s carbon neutrality priorities

Community building

• Building and curating a community of high ambition actors across corporates drawn from the Forum’s CEO Climate Leaders Community and solution providers
• Shape a communications plan to highlight the role of leaders to accelerate the transition to net zero

Reporting lines and interactions

The Lead will report to the Head of Climate & Resources at the Forum’s China office in Beijing, with a matrix reporting line to the Net Zero Pillar Head, Centre for Nature and Climate in Geneva.

Preferred requirements and experience

• 7-10 years of professional experience in areas such as project management, international business and stakeholder engagement, social development and political economy issues. Fundraising experience is strong advantage
• Has a master’s degree or equivalent experience in industry decarbonization, community resilience, environmental economics, finance, economic policy and/or business strategy
• Understanding of industry issues and relevant government policies around of decarbonization, energy and circularity. Knowledge or experience in carbon market is asset.
• Has experience working in relevant business, or non-profit, SOE or government departments
• Has an excellent command of written and spoken English and Mandarin
• Possesses excellent communication, interpersonal and networking skills; a positive team player
• Willingness to travel, and work in a highly demanding environment juggling multiple priorities and being self-directed
• Ability to work flexibly across changing and diverse priorities

Why work at the Forum:

The Forum believes that progress happens by bringing together people from all walks of life who have the drive and the influence to improve the state of the world by building awareness and cooperation, shaping mindsets and agendas, and driving collective action. Join us and become a driver for positive change!