Ritu Bharadwaj

Ritu Bharadwaj has extensive work experience in the field of climate change, natural resource management, and sustainable development. Ritu has held various roles in different organizations over the years.

Starting in 2000, Ritu worked as a State Project Officer at the Department of Rural Development in the Government of India for six years. During this time, they were responsible for managing and implementing program activities related to rural development.

From 2006 to 2008, Ritu served as a State Coordinator at the Rural Livelihoods Mission, also in the Department of Rural Development in the Government of India. In this role, they developed policies and strategies for promoting forest and watershed management, renewable energy, and biofuels. Ritu also played a key role in implementing the National Rural Employment Guarantee Act and the Rural Livelihoods Mission.

In 2008, Ritu joined Winrock International India as a Program Manager for Natural Resource Management and Climate Change. Ritu led action research projects in the field of natural resources management, clean energy access, and climate change. Ritu also advocated for policy changes and provided recommendations for the design and development of policies and programs.

From 2011 to 2013, Ritu worked as a Climate Change and Environment Advisor at the Energy Climate and Growth Unit in the Asia Region Team of the Department for International Development (DFID). Ritu was responsible for designing and managing climate resilience and adaptation programs in South Asia. Ritu also provided advice on the implications of climate policy developments and research findings on DFID projects.

In 2013, Ritu joined the Knowledge Partnership Program at the Department for International Development (DFID), Government of UK. Ritu served as the Policy Lead for Food Security, Resource Scarcity, and Climate Change. Ritu'sresponsibilities included promoting sustainable and efficient use of natural resources, producing knowledge products to influence policies and practices in low-income countries, and developing project pipelines for support and buy-in from stakeholders.

From 2015 to 2019, Ritu was the Chief of Program at the Institute for Industrial Productivity, Climate Works Foundation. Ritu'srole involved leading and managing initiatives focused on enhancing adaptation and resilience in agriculture, food systems, and natural resources. Ritu also played a key role in policy reform and development, supporting the private sector in meeting environmental and energy regulations, and maintaining strategic partnerships and fundraising.

Most recently, since 2019, Ritu has been working at the International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED) as the Team Leader and Principal Researcher of the Climate Change Group.

Ritu Bharadwaj completed their Masters in Forest and Environmental Management from the Indian Institute of Forest Management from 1998 to 2000. Prior to that, they earned a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in Chemistry from Patna Science College, Patna University, between 1992 and 1996. Additionally, they hold a certification in Project Management and is a Certified Project Management Professional (PMP) from the Project Management Institute, obtained in 2017.