Jennifer Rietbergen-McCracken

Jennifer Rietbergen-McCracken has over 30 years’ experience in research, policy analysis, project planning, monitoring and evaluation, and training in the fields of sustainable development, responsible business, and conservation. Her areas of expertise include analysis of economic development, environmental, governance issues, and social issues related to mining; analysis for strategic spatial development planning; researching social and participatory development issues; developing and applying assessment and planning methodologies; and providing policy analysis and advice on the integration of poverty reduction and conservation.

Jennifer has worked in over twenty countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America. As an independent consultant, her clients have included international organizations such as IUCN, UNEP, the European Commission, the World Bank and the International Finance Corporation, as well as bilateral development agencies, international NGOs (e.g., WWF, IIED, ActionAid) and mining companies. Jennifer was Head of Research for the Responsible Mining Foundation (RMF) from 2016 to 2019 and currently serves as a Senior Advisor to RMF.

She has authored a wide range of publications, most recently co-authoring a forthcoming World Bank publication on spatial planning for resilient economic diversification. Jennifer was Editor of Arborvitae, the IUCN/WWF newsletter on forest conservation for ten years. Other publication credits include co-editor of three Earthscan books on forest landscape restoration, economic instruments for environmental management, and environmental valuation.

Jennifer holds a Master of Science degree in Environmental Technology from Imperial College London, a post-graduate diploma in Agricultural Development from the University of London, and a Bachelor of Science degree in Zoology from the University of Aberdeen. She is currently based in France.