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Let’s face it: it is easy to give in to despair and cynicism in the face of the myriad challenges in our world today.
But Subhra Bhattacharjee sees cynicism and despair as luxuries that humanity cannot afford right now.
A firm believer in human agency and the power of solidarity, she chooses to confront them head on, with a commitment to amplifying the voices of the most marginalized groups and creating spaces for them to lead.
Driven by the understanding that the world’s most pressing challenges – climate change, deforestation, and social inequities, are inextricably interconnected, Bhattacharjee has dedicated her career to advancing policies and solutions that address these global crises by mobilizing a broad coalition of actors.
With forests as a critical line of defense against the climate crisis, Bhattacharjee, now director general of the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), is going all in for forests and those who depend on them.
“Forests are not just ecosystems; they are homes, livelihoods, and a lifeline for millions of people. They are also one of our most powerful natural solutions to climate change and biodiversity loss. FSC is not just another organization, it is a platform for dialogue among economic, environmental and social interest groups around forests.”
For Bhattacharjee, an equitable future hinges on protecting forests in ways that enable forest-dependent peoples and communities to thrive. It is a future where forests of the world are recognized as a global public good, with all countries taking responsibility to protect the health, resilience and integrity of forests.
Bhattacharjee’s approach is rooted in the belief that collaboration and dialogue are essential for real, lasting change. She has spent years forging partnerships across governments, non-governmental organizations, businesses and communities to find solutions that are both practical and impactful.
Her secret? Learning from the incredible diversity of people she’s met, and bringing them together to solve problems.
“Differences across groups, peoples and nations will need to be resolved through good faith dialogue that recognizes differences of opinions, interests and values and still seeks to build bridges – dialogue that is based on the value of stewardship for the Earth and its myriad inhabitants.”
