An Indian banker and long-time environmental economist Pavan Sukhdev is the latest goodwill ambassador for the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).
He joins noted celebrities like Brazilian super model Gisele Bundchen, French photographer Yann Arthus-Bertrand, American actor Don Cheadle and Chinese actress Li Binging in raising awareness and support for environmental causes.
UNEP Executive Director Achim Steiner today announced the name of Pavan Sukhdev, who is the Founder-CEO of GIST Advisory, a specialist consulting firm which helps governments and corporations on environmental issues, at the ongoing global summit on biodiversity here.
With 30 years experience in banking, markets and valuing natural capital, Sukhdev is strongly positioned to generate considerable support and publicity in business and finance for UNEP’s work, he told newspersons.
A visiting fellow at Yale University, Pavan Sukhdev had a stint of 20 years at ANZ Bank and Deutsche Bank. He is the author of Corportion 2020 , which again was released by the UNEP Chief at the meeting.
He is also the head of UNEP’s green economy initiative and lead author of their report Towards a Green Economy .
“Governments and business need to understand that our ecosystem, biodiversity and natural resources prop up our economies and their value should be integrated into decision making,’’ Pavan Sukhdev said.
Somasekhar.m@thehindu.co.in