Jennifer Lenhart

Dr. Jennifer Lenhart serves as WWF's Global Cities Lead, overseeing engagement with over 700 cities across 70 countries. Through her Coursera course "Urban Climate Governance: Towards 1.5° Celsius Alignment" at Lund University, she helps students understand city-level climate action and sustainable urban development. Her academic credentials include a Ph.D. in Urban Climate Governance from Wageningen University and an Erasmus Mundus MSc from Lund University and Central European University. Her 15+ years of experience spans roles at UN-Habitat in Nairobi, the City of Malmö, and urban sustainability consulting in Seattle. Her research focuses on nature-based solutions, urban resilience, and climate adaptation strategies. Currently based in Santiago de Chile, she advocates for integrating nature into urban development to improve city resilience and livability. Her expertise combines theoretical frameworks with practical applications in urban sustainability, emphasizing the role of cities in addressing climate change while promoting biodiversity and human wellbeing.