Udhayambika B

Development professional with 7+ years of experience in climate mitigation research, GHG inventory development, low-carbon transition strategies, and decentralized waste systems. Skilled in emission reduction modeling, stakeholder engagement, and aligning projects with public finance frameworks. Passionate about supporting equitable and just climate transitions at multiple governance levels.

Senior Officer – Climate & Waste Systems | PLAN Foundation, Chennai, Tamil Nadu| Feb 2024 – Present

• GHG inventories and emission profiles updates for decentralized waste systems covering 30+ tons of wet waste, utilizing findings to inform community-level emission reduction strategies and applying IPCC-aligned methodologies.
• Designed and conducted capacity-building workshops for SHGs on green entrepreneurship and low-carbon practices, enhancing community resilience to climate impacts. In addition, monitored project budgets and contributed to reporting.
• Built cross-sectoral partnerships with TTDC, BDO, ULBs, and Fisheries Department to collect data and validate emission scenarios across Kovalam Panchayat and Thiruporur block. villages. Streamlined technical reports into actionable insights, accelerating decision-making processes by 30%.
• Demonstrated team leadership by managing a 12-member cross-functional team, reducing project turnaround time by 25%.

Project Coordinator – Decentralized SWM & Climate Action | Saahas, Bengaluru & Tamil Nadu | Aug 2021 – Jan 2024

• Developed and implemented emission reduction frameworks through a 6 TPD biogas project under BBMP, contributing to measurable landfill diversion and methane emissions abatement, aligned with city-level climate action plans.
• Conducted sector-specific GHG emission assessments in management clusters, informing low-carbon transition strategies.
• Authored grant proposals integrating climate finance considerations, managed fund utilization, and submitted compliance-based reporting to CSR partners and municipal stakeholders.
• Led a GIZ-funded study on the informal waste sector's “Dry waste value chain study” in 4 districts of Tamil Nadu.
• Facilitated stakeholder consultations with municipal corporations, civil society, and local MSMEs, enabling inclusive scenario-building and data validation for emission inventories.

Project Officer – Solid Waste Management & Public Finance Interface | SBMA, Haridwar | Nov 2019 – Jul 2021

• Designed and operationalized a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model for decentralized solid waste management with District Administration and ULBs, improving service delivery and contributing to localized emissions reduction.
• Budgeted and tracked utilization of CSR and district-level public finance allocations, ensuring alignment with sustainable livelihoods and low-carbon transition goals.
• Piloted the "Green Temple" initiative across 8) major temples (2 Hub temples and 6 spoke temples), establishing circular economy practices and fostering SHG-led entrepreneurship models integrated with emissions mitigation strategies.

Project Lead – Community-Based Carbon Reduction Models | Exnora Green Pammal, Chennai | Jul 2018 – Oct 2019

• Coordinated SWM efforts across wards 4–6; operated 5 MRFs and bio gas unit in 1 temple, fostering carbon neutrality.
• Applied critical thinking to redesign internal workflow, cutting manual work by 30% and increasing efficiency.
• Managed public finance proposals and developed strategic plans for efficient waste diversion and community ownership.
• Conducted action research to assess the socio-economic impacts of climate change on fishermen communities in Ennore, applying both qualitative and quantitative methods for data triangulation.

Research Assistant Intern - Environment | Madras Institute of Development Studies, Chennai | Aug 2017 – Mar 2018

• Conducted action research to assess the socio-economic impacts of climate change on fishermen communities in Ennore, applying both qualitative and quantitative methods for data triangulation.
• Supported the design of community livelihood regeneration models considering environmental vulnerabilities and boundary-spanning stakeholder dynamics for urban coastal resilience.
• Contributed to baseline data collection, validation, and analysis critical for informing integrated climate adaptation and mitigation strategies at the community level.
  
   

Madras School of Social Work, M.A. in Development Management [Chennai]
Thiruthangal Nadar College, BCA Computer Application [Chennai]