Since joined the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) in 2002, Jingjing Qian has worked on research and promotion of clean energy and sustainable urbanization policies related to China, specifically on urban smart growth, green buildings, and carbon capture and storage. Her current research focus is on city walkability, green and smart urban development, and building energy efficiency. She has been NRDC’s China Country Director since 2009, now leading a China staff of over 30 people.

Prior to joining NRDC, Jingjing worked at the United Nations Children’s Fund and the United Nations Development Programme to manage technical assistance to developing countries for projects on clean water, sanitation, children’s environmental health, and environmental impact assessment. She holds an M.Sc. in environmental technology from Imperial College of Science and Technology and an M.Eng. in chemical engineering from California Polytechnic University at Pomona.