As climate challenges grow more complex, a new generation of professionals is stepping forward to bridge the gap between research, policy, and on-ground action. Among them is Sanjena Narayanasamy Damodaran, an Ashoka–Environmental Defense Fund Climate Corps Fellow whose work reflects both academic depth and practical engagement with climate solutions.
With a PhD in Environmental Engineering from Tsinghua University and experience spanning China, Cambodia and India, Sanjena has worked on issues ranging from urban water resilience to sustainable development. Her fellowship with the Ashoka–Environmental Defense Fund Climate Corps further expanded her engagement with climate policy, carbon markets and large-scale sustainability initiatives.
In this interview with TheCSRUniverse, she reflects on her journey from academic research to real-world climate action, while offering thoughtful insights on policy, nature-based solutions and collaboration. Her perspective highlights the growing role of women leaders in shaping practical and inclusive climate solutions.
Scroll down to read the full interview.
Q&A
Q. What inspired you to move from academic research in environmental engineering to working on climate policy and on-ground implementation?
A. During my time in academia, especially during my master’s, I was working on water systems and got the opportunity to work on a project on household drinking water filters in an arsenic-contaminated rural village in China. The project involved helping villagers use DIY water filters that had been designed by students from my university. Although the research had already been published, when we went to the field to teach villagers how to use the filters covering around 2,000 households the satisfaction I experienced was far greater than what I felt from academic publications. That experience made me realize that working on the ground was something I truly wanted to pursue.The project was later taken to other countries as well, and we tried to scale it up. During this process, I understood that while working directly with communities is important, creating large-scale impact requires being in a position where your voice can influence systems and decisions. That is when I realized that working in policy would be the right space for me.
Q. You have worked in both China and India. What key lessons from your international experience can help strengthen climate action in India?
A. From an international perspective, one thing that worked well in China is the presence of a single, clear thread—a top-to-bottom approach when it comes to climate action. Decisions are made at the central level and then implemented until the provincial level, largely due to the way the country’s governance structure is designed. While this exact model may not be possible in countries with different administrative and political systems, the key lesson is the importance of a unified approach: one that is integrated, complementary, and aligned with the country’s overall climate goals. It is also important to ensure that climate actions are technically robust, periodically monitored and verified, and designed to safeguard the well-being of all stakeholders involved.
Q. China’s Sponge City Program is often seen as a strong model for urban resilience. What elements of this approach could be adapted for Indian cities?
A. The concept behind China’s Sponge City Program is to treat the city like a sponge - one that can absorb, store, and reuse rainwater instead of allowing it to run off and cause flooding. The program was implemented across multiple cities, with a primary focus on improving urban water resilience. One principle that stood out to me is that the site’s hydrology after development should resemble, or ideally be better than, its hydrology before construction. This approach emphasizes restoring natural water balance through measures such as permeable surfaces, urban wetlands, green roofs, rainwater harvesting, and decentralized stormwater management.
For Indian cities, the most relevant elements would be integrating nature-based solutions into urban planning, reducing excessive concretization, and promoting local water retention instead of relying only on drainage infrastructure. Given India’s recurring issues with both urban flooding and water scarcity, planning cities to capture and store rainwater locally could significantly improve resilience. Equally important is embedding these principles into building regulations, urban design standards, and city-level planning rather than treating them as isolated pilot projects.
Q. During your fellowship with the Tamil Nadu Green Climate Company, you worked on mangrove afforestation, seagrass restoration, and solar-powered climate-smart villages. Which of these solutions do you believe has the greatest potential for scale and long-term impact?
A. In terms of scalability, solar-powered climate-smart village interventions are the easiest to expand. Solar technologies are modular, the implementation processes are well established, making them relatively straightforward to replicate across geographies. Mangrove afforestation would be the next most scalable option, particularly along India’s extensive coastline where suitable conditions exist. However, seagrass restoration is more location-specific, as it requires very particular ecological conditions. Because of this, it cannot be implemented everywhere, which makes large-scale expansion more challenging.
If we look at long-term impact from the perspective of carbon permanence, there are ongoing debates, especially around nature-based solutions and the risks associated with permanence. In the long run, what becomes critical is establishing strong baselines, MRVS and ensuring clear additionality for these projects. Currently, blue carbon credits from ecosystems like mangroves and seagrass often command a higher price in voluntary carbon markets compared to solar credits. However, from an implementation and scaling perspective, solar projects remain the most practical, while nature-based solutions offer strong long-term co-benefits when implemented in ecologically suitable areas.
Q. Nature-based solutions like mangroves and seagrass are gaining attention. How important are these ecosystems for India’s climate adaptation and coastal resilience efforts?
A. In addition to their carbon sequestration potential, these ecosystems play a critical role in coastal resilience. Mangroves and seagrass beds act as natural buffers against cyclones, storm surges, floods, and even tsunamis, helping reduce damage to coastal communities and infrastructure. At the same time, they support marine biodiversity, strengthen local fisheries, and provide livelihood opportunities for coastal populations making them critical components of India’s long-term coastal climate strategy.
Q. You have worked on assessing carbon credit potential for Indian states. How can voluntary carbon markets support climate action at the state level in India and what challenges need to be addressed?
A. Whether through voluntary demand or future compliance mechanisms, carbon projects contribute to emissions reduction or removal. This makes them a useful tool for states looking to accelerate progress toward their climate targets. In addition, some states, such as Tamil Nadu, have announced their own net-zero ambitions. Carbon projects developed within the state can generate revenue through the sale of credits, particularly when implemented by state agencies or public entities. This income can then be reinvested into other climate initiatives, helping to finance and strengthen broader state climate action plans. Challenges include ensuring alignment with national climate accounting frameworks to avoid issues such as double counting, especially as India develops its domestic carbon market mechanisms.
Q. How did the Ashoka EDF Fellowship help you build practical skills in areas like carbon markets, climate risk and working with the government and industry?
A. I would describe the Ashoka ADF Fellowship as an immersive experience. It begins with a structured program that builds a strong foundation across the climate landscape, covering topics ranging from ESG and carbon markets to nature-based solutions. This provides a broad overview of the key areas and helps participants understand how different aspects of climate action are connected. The second important aspect is the deputation to a host organization, where you get the opportunity to apply these skills in practice. Being placed within an institution working in this space allows you to develop practical experience. In my case, I chose to work on carbon markets. While I may have heard about the topic earlier, this was my first hands-on experience working on it.
Q. In your view, how can stronger collaboration between academia, government, industry and the developement sector help turn climate research into effective action on the ground?
A. I strongly believe that collaboration across academia, government, industry, and the development sector is essential to bridge the gap between research and implementation. Academia can generate evidence and innovative solutions, but partnerships with government and industry are critical to translate these insights into policies, pilot projects, and large-scale deployment. At the same time, such collaboration helps build the next generation of the climate workforce. These partnerships open doors for young professionals, increase their curiosity, and expose them to real-world challenges and opportunities.
Q. Climate action is a growing priority, yet ecosystems like mangroves, forests, and hills often face pressure due to infrastructure and urban development. How can policy frameworks better balance development needs with long-term environmental protection and climate resilience?
A. I think the key is to ensure that climate awareness becomes a part of every development decision. Development cannot be treated as separate from environmental protection - there is no real development if it is not clean, resilient, and sustainable in the long run. Policy frameworks need to move toward planned and climate-informed development, where ecological sensitivity is considered from the beginning rather than as an afterthought. This includes protecting critical ecosystems such as mangroves, forests, and hills, while planning infrastructure in a way that minimizes ecological damage and maintains natural resilience. The focus should be on balancing growth with long-term environmental stability, so that development today does not increase vulnerability or resource stress in the future.
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