Piyush Verma is a global expert on energy and climate governance, with over 17 years of experience in energy access, energy transition, and net-zero policy development. He serves as Senior Advisor on Energy Governance at the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in New York, where he leads a global energy governance portfolio supporting energy transitions in over 170 countries. Piyush has collaborated with major multilateral institutions, including the World Energy Council, Global Green Growth Institute, and the United Nations, contributing to the design and implementation of impactful energy policies worldwide.
He has authored over 40 publications, including policy reports, journal articles, and op-eds, and has represented international organizations at high-level forums in over 40 countries. From 2021 to 2022, he chaired the Joint Task Force on Digitalization in Energy at the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe, leading initiatives to harness digital technologies for accelerating energy transitions across 54 member states in Europe and Central Asia.
Introduction: In an era defined by complex global challenges—from climate change to public health and digital transformation—the ability to translate scientific knowledge into effective policy and meaningful societal impact has never been more critical. India, under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s unique development trajectory and deep-rooted commitment to innovation, offers important lessons on how this science-policy-society interface can be strengthened to drive inclusive and sustainable progress. Over the past decade, India
