Vinayak Rao, Ph.D.

Vinayak Rao, Ph.D.

Dr. Vinayak Rao is the Founder and Chief Executive of the Climate Change and Environmental Leadership Network (CEL-NET). He received his Ph.D. in Diplomatic Studies and International Relations from Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), where he also designed, introduced, and taught courses on International Environmental Negotiations and International Business Negotiations.

Dr. Rao has an extensive experience in the field of climate change over the last two decades at various levels – the United Nations, academia, strategic consulting and grassroots organizations. He has worked at the United Nations University in Japan and Jordan, Centre for Science and Environment, and The Energy and Resources Institute in New Delhi. He is a Fellow of the London-based LEAD (Leadership for Environment and Development) International since 1998. He has consulted with international organisations, industry, universities and influential NGOs in India and abroad.

He was selected as an International Visitor to Germany in 1997 to study environmental protection in Germany and also held a Visiting Fellowship at the Geneva-based Centre for Applied Studies in International Negotiations.