Divya Nawale

Divya Nawale is a climate advocate and 2016 GSPIA alumna whose global impact in sustainability has earned her international recognition working across five continents,including Antarctica. With a background in Mechanical Engineering and extensive experience in areas of climate policy, Divya has held pivotal roles, including serving as a Sustainability Fellow in the Mayor’s office in Pittsburgh, Policy Engagement Officer at the United Nations Climate Change Secretariat (UNFCCC) in Germany, and as Climate Change Specialist at Asian Development Bank in the Philippines. She has shared stage with several top climate leaders including UK’s ex-Minister of Clean Energy Chris Skidmore, Polar explorer Robert Swan OBE, and as a trained Climate Reality Leader with Nobel Laureate Al Gore. She had been instrumental in launching the Climate Reality Chapter of Southwestern Pennsylvania during her time in Pittsburgh, which continues to be active today. 

In 2020, she was recognised as one of Asia’s Top 20 Superwomen in Sustainability by CSRWorks International, and was chosen as an Arctic Youth Fellow in 2017 to present her work at the Arctic Circle Assembly in Reykjavik, Iceland. She also sits on the Advisory Board for several non-profits worldwide including Nirmaan (India), where she has helped launch projects that trains young children to become climate champions, and with Global Choices (US), advocating for protection of the global commons. As an ardent ocean explorer, she has dived in places like the Great Barrier Reef and served as advisor for Woman in Ocean Science (UK) to inspire young women to embrace careers that can help protect the oceans, the polar regions, and our planet.

Her advocacy spans global platforms, and while working directly with governments and policy makers, she is deeply passionate about representation of women, youth, and marginalized communities. Through her work, Divya has become a prominent advocate for sustainable development, inspiring others to join the fight against climate change.