U.S.-India Emerging Climate Leaders

The U.S.-India Emerging Climate Leaders Program gathers a cohort of diverse, emerging climate and sustainability leaders from the United States and India to strengthen the energy and climate relationship between the two countries in 2024. This network will raise awareness of climate challenges, propose and develop joint climate solutions, and identify and elevate diverse voices.

Observer Research Foundation America (ORF America) will build a cohort of 10 promising young leaders from each country spanning multiple disciplines including government, civil society, business, academia, and media.

The nine-month professional development program will include: seminars with notable experts, writing workshops, as well as a five-day in-person study tour to India. Finally with the experiences and information gained, the Emerging Climate Leaders will co-author an edited volume of short working papers to develop ideas of climate collaboration and communication for the United States and India.

This program aims to advance U.S.-India climate and energy cooperation by:

  • Furthering people-to-people ties between the two countries in the climate space.

  • Elevating unique, diverse perspectives from each country.

  • Incorporating approaches into public policy from business, media, academia, and civil society.

2024 U.S.-India Emerging Climate Leaders

Consultant, Abigail Doerr Consulting

Founder, Terrarium

Stewardship Coordinator, The Morton Arboretum

Portfolio Lead, Rohini Nilekani Philanthropies Foundation

Finance Manager, Carbon, Amazon Web Services

Climate & Health Consultant, Asian Development Bank

Environmental Policy Analyst, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

Portfolio Analyst, Environmental Defense India Foundation

Editor, a data and intelligence company

Architect and Urban Designer, Mod Foundation

Research Analyst, Virginia Department of Energy

CEO, GramHeet

Senior Advisor, White House Office of Science and Technology Policy

Principal Consultant, S&P Global

Engineer, Brooksource

Digital Associate, CarbonCopy

Senior Research Associate, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory

Director of Agriculture and Climate Action, Mann Deshi Foundation

Program Manager, C40 Cities