Ying Qiu
Senior Director, People and Nature
Description
Ms. Ying Qiu serves as the Senior Director of the People and Nature Program at EDF China, where she provides strategic leadership for two core initiatives: the Agriculture, Water, and Food Programs, and the Sustainable Fisheries and Oceans Program.
In her role overseeing agriculture, water, and food initiatives, Ms. Qiu is dedicated to advancing climate-smart agricultural practices across China—with a focus on reducing non-CO₂ greenhouse gas emissions and enhancing adaptive capacity to climate impacts. She also promotes policies and approaches that strengthen climate-resilient water resource management, supporting EDF’s goals of building sustainable and low-carbon food systems while fostering ecological resilience.
Through her leadership of the sustainable fisheries and oceans program, she focuses on protecting marine fishery resources, securing the supply of blue foods, and advancing research on ocean-based solutions—aligning with EDF’s global mission to safeguard marine biodiversity and support communities that depend on healthy ocean ecosystems.
Background
Prior to joining EDF, Ms. Qiu worked with internationally recognized consulting firms, where she led project management and team development efforts, delivering expert advisory services for environmental protection and sustainable development projects. Over the past decade, she has been engaged with international environmental organizations, spearheading policy research and advocacy in integrated natural resource management, climate change mitigation, and adaptation strategies.
Ms. Qiu holds a Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Engineering from Tsinghua University and a Master’s degree in Environmental Science from Yale University, specializing in environmental science and natural resources management.