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/ Plenary Session 1

Plenary Session 1 | Speakers

Energy Transition Towards the End of Fossil Fuels Era

Shri. Atul Bagai

Country Head

United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), India

Shri Atul Bagai has a rich background in environmental governance and policy implementation. Before his role at UNEP, he served in various capacities within the Indian government and international organizations, contributing to significant environmental projects and policies. His work has been pivotal in promoting sustainable development, addressing climate change, and fostering international cooperation on environmental issues. Atul Bagai’s leadership and expertise have been recognized globally, making him a key figure in the fight against environmental degradation and climate change.

Shri. Bhaskar Jyoti Phukan

Managing Director

Numaligarh Refinery Limited (NRL)

Shri. Bhaskar Jyoti Phukan is the Managing Director (MD) of Numaligarh Refinery Limited (NRL). With a career spanning over three decades in the oil industry, he began his journey with Indian Oil Corporation Ltd in 1990 before joining NRL. Under his leadership, NRL has seen significant advancements and growth, particularly in the areas of refining and petrochemicals. His expertise and vision continue to drive the company towards achieving new milestones in the energy sector.

Dr. Vedran Mornar

Full professor

University of Zagreb, Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computing

Dr. Vedran Mornar is a distinguished Croatian engineer, renowned for his contributions to computer science and education. He has been a professor at the University of Zagreb’s Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computing since 1982, where he has held various leadership roles, including dean. Mornar also served as the Croatian Minister of Science, Education, and Sports from June 2014 to January 2016, during which he spearheaded significant educational reforms and promoted the digitalization of education in Croatia. He is a full member of the Croatian Academy of Sciences and Arts, reflecting his esteemed position in the academic community.

Dr. Rajendra Shende

Nobel Peace Prize Laureate (as part of IPCC team)

Founder Director, Green TERRE Foundation; Former Head, OzonAction Branch, UNEP

Dr. Rajendra Shende is a distinguished environmentalist and Founder Director of the Green TERRE Foundation. An IIT Bombay Chemical Engineering graduate, he led the OzonAction Branch at UNEP, significantly contributing to global ozone protection efforts. A key contributor to the Nobel Peace Prize-winning IPCC, his work has been recognized by the U.S. EPA and the President of India, notably for his development of a solar vaccine cooler. Dr. Shende continues to lead initiatives in sustainable development and climate change, including the Smart Campus Cloud Network (SCCN), inspiring many in the fight against climate change.

Prof. Konstantinos Tsavdaridis

Professor

Department of Civil Engineering, School of Mathematics, Computer Science and Engineering at City, University of London (UK)

Prof. Konstantinos (Kostas) Daniel Tsavdaridis is a renowned structural engineer at City, University of London. His research group, KDT, specializes in large-scale testing of steel and composite structures. He has published over 170 papers and holds several patents on innovative structural designs, including 3D-printed steel connections.

Prof. Tsavdaridis has received numerous accolades, such as a Senior Fellowship from the Royal Academy of Engineering. He is a Chartered Engineer and Fellow of multiple engineering institutions, actively contributing to international scientific committees and editorial boards. His expertise is frequently sought in major projects and media discussions on structural safety and disasters.

Prof. Dr. Sc. Gabrijel Ondrašek

Full Professor

Division for Agroecology, Department of Soil Amelioration, University of Zagreb Faculty of Agriculture

Prof. Dr. Sc. Gabrijel Ondrašek specializes in agroecology and soil amelioration. With over 20 years of experience, he has been involved in numerous research projects focusing on sustainable agriculture, water management, and the biogeochemistry of metals in soil.

His work includes teaching various courses related to soil and water management, irrigation systems, and the use of wastewater in agriculture. Prof. Ondrašek has also coordinated and participated in several international and national research projects aimed at improving agricultural practices and environmental sustainability.

Dr. Sonal K. Thengane

Associate Professor

Department of Hydro and Renewable Energy (HRED), IIT Roorkee

Dr. Sonal K. Thengane is an interdisciplinary researcher with a background in chemical engineering and a strong passion for teaching. His focus is on resolving energy and environmental issues through research on bioenergy utilization, biochar, and waste management. His expertise includes thermochemical processes such as gasification, pyrolysis, and torrefaction. Additionally, he is interested in wastewater treatment, life cycle and techno-economic analyses, and multi-criteria decision-making. His research also covers biomass conversion, biochar applications in soil amendment and wastewater treatment, carbon capture and storage, and hydrogen production.

Dr. Rajasekhar Balasubramanian

Professor

Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, National University of Singapore

Dr. Rajasekhar Balasubramanian’s research focuses on environmental sustainability, climate change, and urban air quality. His work advances understanding of the environmental and health impacts of air pollution, providing scientific insights for policy and technology development. He leads an international research program to improve urban air quality through global university alliances and is a Lead Author for the UN Environment Program’s Global Environment Outlook. A member of the Asia-Pacific Clean Air Partnership's science panel, he has received numerous awards, including the PROSE award, and is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry.

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