Dr. Rajendra Shende

Dr. Rajendra Shende is a distinguished expert in sustainable development, environmental protection, and climate change. Born on July 13, 1949, in Rahimatpur, India, he is an alumnus of the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT). Dr. Shende served as the Director of the OzonAction Branch at the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) in Paris until 2011 and currently leads as the Founder Director of the Green TERRE Foundation, focusing on global goals related to NetZero, Carbon Neutrality, and Climate Change. He is also the Chairman of TERRE Policy Centre, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to sustainable development.

Dr. Shende's efforts in protecting the ozone layer and climate have been widely recognized, earning him accolades including awards from the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and recognition from former President of India Dr. Abdul Kalam for developing a solar vaccine cooler for rural communities. He is the ideator and director of the Smart Campus Cloud Network (SCCN), which connects global universities in their pursuit of carbon neutrality and NetZero targets. Additionally, Dr. Shende has adopted his native village, Rahimatpur, to transform it into a model for sustainable development. His work continues to make a significant impact on environmental policy and sustainable practices worldwide.