Jeffrey Qi
Policy Advisor
Jeffrey is a policy advisor with IISD’s Resilience Program. Based in Vancouver, his work focuses on Ecosystem-based Adaptation, the National Adaptation Plan (NAP) process, and multilateral environmental negotiations related to climate change adaptation and biodiversity.
Jeffrey has represented environmental non-governmental organizations in the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) negotiations since 2017. He has also participated in the Paris Agreement Work Programme negotiations on common timeframes, the Global Stocktake, and the transparency framework. In Canada, he worked on sustainable development policy research and advocacy and has experience engaging with all levels of government.
Jeffrey holds a master’s degree in political science from the University of British Columbia, specializing in global environmental politics and global health diplomacy. He holds professional certificates in project management and health emergency disaster risk management.
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Contact details
Additional information
- Areas of expertise
- Climate Change Adaptation
- Nature-Based Solutions
- Governance and Multilateral Agreements
- UNFCCC Processes
- National Adaptation Plans
- Global Health
- International Relations
- Education
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Master of Arts in Political Science, University of British Columbia, Canada, 2021Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Environment Studies, University of British Columbia, Canada, 2020
- Languages spoken
- English, French, Mandarin Chinese
Contributions
Publications
Effectively Delivering on Climate and Nature: Policy analysis to maximize synergies and co-benefits in Mongolia
A review of Mongolia’s climate and biodiversity policies to assess synergies, gaps, barriers, and opportunities to improve alignment and coordination.
Report
April 27, 2026
What Does the International Court of Justice Advisory Opinion on Climate Change Mean for Climate Adaptation?
States cannot continue to view climate change adaptation as voluntary. How can they demonstrate they are doing their best to meet international obligations?
Brief
March 17, 2026
Delivering Transformative Change and Multiple Benefits
This brief outlines the potential for nature-based solutions to deliver transformative change and multiple benefits to enhance biodiversity, strengthen climate resilience, and contribute to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.
Brief
October 22, 2025
What Does the First Global Stocktake Mean for the National Adaptation Plan Process?
This report summarizes the key messages on adaptation from the outcomes of the first global stocktake and provides recommendations and actionable steps on how countries can implement the decisions as part of their national adaptation plan (NAP) processes.
Report
July 24, 2025
Articles
What's at Stake for Climate Change Adaptation at COP 30?
Adaptation is in the spotlight at COP 30. Our experts explain why this COP is so important for adaptation efforts, and where we need to see progress.
Explainer
November 3, 2025
Historic International Court of Justice Opinion Confirms States’ Climate Obligations
The International Court of Justice has delivered its much-anticipated advisory opinion on states’ obligations to tackle climate change, confirming that international law requires states to prevent significant harm to the climate—and failure to do so can trigger legal responsibility.
Deep Dive
July 28, 2025
What Needs to Happen at Bonn Climate Talks: Our experts weigh in on key issues
From climate adaptation to climate finance and nationally determined contributions, our experts outline which priorities must be advanced at climate talks in Bonn to deliver results this November.
Deep Dive
June 4, 2025
Comparing Guidance Documents for Nature-Based Solutions
With increased interest in nature-based solutions has come criticism and debate, sparking the need for standardized safeguards. Two existing pieces of guidance stand out. How do they compare?
Policy Analysis
June 2, 2025
What’s Next After UNEA-6: Why “synergies” is more than a buzzword
In an era marked by escalating environmental challenges and geopolitical tension, the Sixth United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA-6) called for more cooperation to tackle the triple planetary crisis.
Policy Analysis
April 4, 2024
The Global Stocktake Needs to Send a Strong Message on Adaptation
Concluding at COP 28, the inaugural global stocktake sheds light on our collective progress toward reaching the Paris Agreement’s goals. What signals should it send to countries to strengthen adaptation and resilience in the next 5 years?
Insight
November 21, 2023
From Sharm el-Sheikh to Montreal: Seizing the moment for the biodiversity–climate nexus at COP 15
The Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework negotiations at the UN Biodiversity Conference in Montreal represent a once-in-a-decade moment to set an ambitious agenda for biodiversity conservation.
Deep Dive
December 9, 2022
What We Heard From the Global Stocktake's First Technical Dialogue on Adaptation
The Global Stocktake under the Paris Agreement is now underway. At its first Technical Dialogue in Bonn in June 2022, what did participants say about climate change adaptation and what does it mean for global adaptation ambition?
Deep Dive
August 11, 2022