Meet Siddharth Dasgupta from the Climate and Society Class of 2023
Siddharth Dasgupta joined the Master of Climate and Society program this fall. While at Columbia, he looks forward to connecting climate theory and research with practical solutions to impact change.
Columbia Climate School welcomes new class of students this fall MSc in Climate and Society. This 12-month interdisciplinary program trains students to understand and address the social and environmental impacts of climate change and climate variability.
The upcoming Class of 2023 includes 80 students with diverse backgrounds and career paths, impressive skills, and ambitious plans to help people and the environment.
Planetary Condition will be featured interview Join several of these extraordinary students over the next few weeks. In the Q&A below, you will meet Siddharth Dasgupta, who is drawn to the interdisciplinary nature of the program. His goal is to connect theoretical and complex research with practical solutions.
Can you tell us a little bit about your background and how you got interested in studying climate?
As an engineer and MBA, I have worked with the World Bank, the United Nations, the UK government, and most recently, leading the World Bank Group’s global strategy at Ernst & Young. Over the past 14 years, I have helped governments in 80 countries develop their policies.
Over the past 14 years, through my work as a global advisor, my views on climate and sustainable development solutions have changed significantly, involving a range of climate and environmental initiatives – e.g. climate finance, low carbon growth strategies/technologies , climate change, electric vehicles, air quality, sustainable cities, product design and evaluation, and policy/regulatory issues.
As a young recruit in the UK’s Department for International Development, I gained some exposure to ESG assessment under the tutelage of Lord Nicholas Stern. Since then, I have contributed to more than 25 ESG assessments in 19 low- and middle-income countries, gaining the skills to demonstrate complex results to influence policy decisions.
In the years since I worked with Lord Stein, I have kept his point in mind: “Science and policymaking thrive on challenge and questioning; they are vital to investigation and the health of democracy.”
Throughout my career, I have focused on solving some of the biggest existential climate challenges facing the world today. I thrive in a research environment where I focus on solving pressing problems while providing evidence-based research solutions for effective policy development.
What drew you to the Climate and Society program in particular?
Columbia Climate School is a unique and ideal place to pursue my career goals, as my understanding of energy and environmental policy is greatly influenced by the Earth Institute and the Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory. Columbia University’s world-renowned faculty, excellent resources, collaborative and interdisciplinary approach to the natural sciences, policy and technology, and academic autonomy make it my first choice.
What are you most excited about while you are here?
Columbia University’s 12-month Interdisciplinary Master in Climate and Society is a near-perfect mix of related courses led by experienced practitioners such as Dr. Ting and Dr. Orlove. I firmly believe that this program will provide me with the insights and exposure I need for the research I intend to undertake following the program on universally providing reliable energy, while minimizing negative impacts on the environment and human well-being.
How does the program align with your career goals?
In my current job, I translate research into actionable strategies. I find myself at the intersection of policy and technology, and where hypothesis meets application. I have executed multiple projects including but not limited to identification of policy measures, carbon neutral investment assessments, socioeconomic assessments and gender studies, technical business assessments of projects, and understanding of institutional and regulatory frameworks and a proven track record in delivery Projects related to climate change and climate resilience in the public and private sectors.
The opportunity to discover and develop concepts through a process of study and investigation really motivated me to pursue a Masters in Climate and Society. While I have a strong interest in each discipline, it is the connections between them that fascinate me the most. I am a firm believer that the people who can connect theory and complex research with practical solutions are the people who can bring about massive change, and I want to emulate these people. The MA will help me achieve my short and long term career goals.
