Emani Kumar has been the Executive Director of ICLEI South Asia since its founding in 2005. He was also appointed as Deputy Secretary General of ICLEI in the year 2013 and is the First Asian to occupy the position in ICLEI. With degrees in Environmental Management from Bradford University, UK; Environmental Planning from School of Planning, CEPT, Ahmedabad and Civil Engineering from Delhi University, Mr. Kumar has more than twenty-five years of professional experience on issues related to climate change policy and planning, water conservation, local governance, renewable energy and energy efficiency, social accountability, systems management, and auditing.

Previously Mr. Kumar has worked with the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and with the National Institute of Urban Affairs (NIUA). Apart from overseeing the organization’s strategic development, he also coordinates various multi-year & small-scale projects and research work supported by various donor and UN agencies; State and National governments of India and Research Organizations. He also liaises for various projects such as Asia LEDS Partnership, CapaCITIES, INTERACT-Bio, Climate Development and Knowledge Network and more.

In his role as ICLEI Deputy Secretary General, Emani Kumar works with all the offices in Asia, to ensure cohesion in implementation of ICLEI’s agendas and spearhead advocacy activities in the region; he also supports the Secretary General in representing ICLEI at all international forums.