Mahesh Harhare

Throughout my 20-year career in the advisory field, I have refined my expertise in urban development and climate change, with a focus on urban resilience, climate change adaptation, sustainable mobility, water and sanitation, clean mobility, urban governance, and sustainable finance. My two decades of experience can be divided into two distinct periods. In the first decade, I focused on advisory in urban development and infrastructure, leading teams in business development, project planning, implementation, budgeting, and client reporting. During the following decade, I focused on climate change and urban resilience, representing international agencies in senior positions. I worked in various roles on 20 climate action plans for cities in different formats. I have previously held director-level senior positions with international agencies, including C40, WRI, GIZ, and The Rockefeller Foundation, where I focused on climate change and urban resilience. Throughout my career, I have independently led diverse teams on multi-sectoral advisory assignments for clients from the private sector, government agencies, and international financing institutions. My key clients include – IFC, WB, ADB, GIZ, the European Union’s IUC-India, Bloomberg Philanthropies, C40, The Rockefeller Foundation, The Circulate Initiative, Shakti Energy Foundation, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF), CIFF, and the Departments of the Government of India and more than 30 Indian Cities. Apart from India, I have worked on assignments in Ghana, Mozambique, Botswana, Sri Lanka, and Senegal. My unique ability to foster collaboration among multidisciplinary teams, combined with my strong analytical skills, has consistently ensured the successful execution of projects within budget and timeline constraints. I have led numerous assignments, from policy and strategy work to project development, demonstrating my comprehensive understanding of the field. Currently, I am working as an Independent Consultant in urban development and climate change, undertaking a short assignment on climate adaptation that focuses on wastewater recycling and reuse in Jaipur with the ADB. I worked as Director of Implementation for South West Asia at C40 Cities. I led multiple projects, including the transition of electric freight under the Laneshift program funded by The Climate Pledge and Amazon, climate mainstreaming in nine Indian cities with a million-plus population, a municipal waste management project under Global Methane Hub, the implementation of high-impact climate action pilots in Bangalore and Chennai cities, and climate mainstreaming in the Master Plan of Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority. Previously, I served as the Program Head of Climate Action Planning within the Urban Development sector at WRI India. I managed various projects to develop climate action plans and integrate climate action into Indian cities. I also worked with GIZ on India’s National Clean Air Program, providing technical assistance to the city of Pune, India. As part of this initiative, I played a key role in facilitating a partnership between Pune and BOSCH to install 25 air quality monitoring sensors, funded by the German Government. As an Urban Development and Climate Change Expert for the EU's IUC-India program, I reviewed and updated Sustainable Energy and Climate Action Plans (SECAPs) for seven Indian cities. I was also a consultant for the Resilient Cities Network, bringing Pune City (India) into the Urban Ocean programme, with a focus on plastic waste management for The Circulate Initiative and Urban Ocean. As the Chief Resilience Officer for Pune City under The Rockefeller Foundation-supported global program, 100 Resilient Cities, I had the privilege of leading the development of a Resilience Strategy for Pune City. I have led several advisory assignments and acquired valuable expertise in engaging with high-ranking government officials, such as principal secretaries, commissioners, and mayors of cities. I have consistently demonstrated excellent skills in managing relationships, collaborating with others, and delivering effective presentations, which have significantly impacted my work. I am deeply inspired by your organisation's reputation for innovation and its commitment. The opportunity to contribute to your ongoing efforts to create innovative, inclusive, and resilient communities is a compelling reason for me to join your team. My strategic vision and leadership abilities align perfectly with your organisation's goals. I am eager to bring my unique perspective and experience to the table.