Climate change affects everyone, and industries are responsible for a large share of emissions. Businesses can create value while also benefiting society and the environment.
Shreeya Shukla, our next pathbreaker, works at Pi Green Innovations , a company that develops technologies to reduce industrial emissions and support decarbonisation.
Shreeya talks to Shyam Krishnamurthy from The Interview Portal about her diverse roles sharing a common mission of solving environmental and social challenges, whether it was restoring mined land, improving waste management, helping industries reduce pollution, or supporting cleaner technologies.
For students, careers often grow through curiosity, trying new things, and being open to learning from every experience.
Shreeya, Tell Us what were your growing up years like?
Growing up, I was never focused on only one thing. I enjoyed science, but I was also deeply interested in music and the arts. Along with school studies, I trained in classical singing and tabla. At that time, I never imagined that music would help me in my career, but today I realise it taught me many important skills like discipline, patience, confidence, and communication. These skills later helped me in leadership, public speaking, and working with different people.
As a student, I was curious about the world around me. I often wondered why cities had so much pollution and waste, why environmental problems continued, and why solving these issues seemed so difficult. I did not know exactly what career I wanted, but I knew I enjoyed asking questions and understanding how systems worked. Looking back, I think curiosity was the biggest thing that shaped my career.
I did not grow up planning to work in climate change or ESG because these careers were not commonly discussed when I was in school. My journey started with simply wanting to understand problems and find better solutions.
What Did You Study After School?
After school, I studied Life Science and Environmental Science at Fergusson College in Pune. During graduation, I learned about nature, biodiversity, pollution, and ecosystems.
At first, I thought environmental careers mainly meant working in research or conservation. But during college I realised environmental problems are connected to much more than science. They involve governments, industries, cities, laws, and people’s behaviour.
This pushed me to continue my studies and pursue a Master’s degree in Environmental Science and Resource Management at TERI University.
Studying at TERI opened my eyes to new areas like climate change, sustainability, renewable energy, waste management, and environmental policy. I began to understand that environmental work could involve business, technology, and public policy, not only science.
I also continued learning music alongside academics because I always believed learning should not be limited to one field.
What Made You Choose such an offbeat, unconventional and uncommon career in Environmental Sustainability?
I did not choose this career because of one single moment. It happened gradually through experiences.
One of the biggest reasons was seeing environmental problems in real life. Reading about pollution or climate change in books is different from seeing how waste, damaged land, or poor environmental systems affect people and communities.
During my studies and early work, I met teachers and professionals who showed me that sustainability is a very wide field. You can work with businesses, governments, investors, and technology companies while still helping solve environmental problems.
An important experience for me was working on a project with TERI and Bharat Coking Coal Limited, where we worked on restoring damaged mining land. This project was not only about the environment. We also thought about local communities and livelihoods. That taught me that sustainability is about people and development too.
Another major learning experience came while working with Agra Municipal Corporation on waste management. I realised that environmental problems are not solved by technology alone. You need cooperation between governments, citizens, businesses, and local authorities. That understanding strongly shaped my career path.
How Did You Build Your Career?
My career did not follow a straight line. Each step taught me something new and prepared me for the next opportunity.
I started with research and field projects during and after university. Working with TERI and BCCL helped me understand how sustainability projects work on the ground. I learned about planning, working with different stakeholders, and solving practical problems.
My first major project was with TERI and Bharat Coking Coal Limited (BCCL), which comes under Coal India. Coal mining is important for India’s energy needs, but after mining is completed, large areas of land often become degraded and unsuitable for farming or other uses. The challenge was to find ways to restore these areas so that they could provide environmental as well as economic benefits to local communities.
Our work focused on restoring more than 635,000 square feet of mined land. But restoration did not simply mean planting trees. We studied how the land could support biodiversity and also create livelihoods for local communities. For example, we looked at opportunities like forestry, fisheries, horticulture, and other economic activities that could generate income while improving the environment. My work involved field visits, research, budgeting, stakeholder interactions, and studying how environmental restoration could also become economically sustainable.
After that, I worked with Agra Municipal Corporation on waste management projects. This taught me how city systems and public policies actually work.
We studied the gap between the Solid Waste Management Rules and how waste was actually being handled in the city. On paper, policies and regulations existed, but implementing them in real life was much more complicated.
Part of the work involved understanding local realities through field interactions with citizens, businesses, and different stakeholders. At the same time, we analysed government policies and looked at ways to improve waste management systems. The work helped me understand that policies alone cannot solve problems.
After completing my Master’s from TERI and after my work with Agra Municipal Corporation, I joined UltraTech Cement, which is part of the Aditya Birla Group.
Many people do not connect cement with sustainability, but this role changed my thinking. I worked on alternative fuels and circular economy projects where waste materials could be reused instead of being discarded. These projects helped industries reduce waste and create business value at the same time. I also worked with government agencies and managed teams, which taught me leadership and communication.
Later, I moved to ISS ESG, where I worked on global ESG research and ratings. This gave me international exposure and helped me understand how investors and companies think about sustainability.
It is part of Institutional Shareholder Services, a global firm that provides research and ESG data to investors and financial institutions. Many large investors use ESG information to understand risks and opportunities before investing in companies.
My role involved evaluating chemical companies from around the world based on more than 200 ESG indicators. For example, if an investor wanted to know whether a company had strong climate policies, managed pollution well, or had good safety systems, our research helped provide those insights.
Our clients included global investors and financial institutions who used ESG research to support investment decisions.
This role was very different from my earlier field-based work because it focused more on strategy, data, global regulations, and understanding how sustainability affects financial markets.
After that, I joined CareEdge Group, where I worked on ESG consulting and strategy. I helped companies improve sustainability reporting and understand changing environmental expectations.
CareEdge is an Indian research, ratings, and advisory organisation. Unlike ISS ESG, which primarily provides ESG research to investors globally, CareEdge works closely with Indian companies and institutions.
At CareEdge, I moved closer to consulting and strategy. We helped companies understand sustainability requirements and improve their ESG performance. We also helped companies prepare for regulations and reporting requirements.
The biggest difference was that at ISS ESG I was analysing companies, whereas at CareEdge I was helping companies improve and build their sustainability strategies. So the work was a precursor to what I did at ISS ESG.
Today, I work with Pi Green Innovations, where I focus on climate technology and reducing industrial emissions like CO2. My work includes collaborating with industries, policymakers, and climate experts to explore cleaner technologies and sustainability solutions. I also speak at conferences and publish research and thought leadership pieces.
Looking back, every role taught me different skills and helped me understand sustainability from a new angle.
How Did You Get Your First Break?
My first break came through projects and internships rather than a famous company or dream job.
Early research and field opportunities helped me build confidence and experience. Looking back, I think many students wait for perfect opportunities, but careers usually grow through small steps.
Each project I worked on taught me something useful and helped me move toward larger opportunities later.
I would suggest finding companies who are doing good work and reach out to the people there through Linkedin or attend conferences where you meet the people who can get you the first break.
What Challenges Did You Face? How did you address them?
One challenge was that sustainability and ESG careers were still new when I started. Many people did not fully understand these roles. I dealt with this by constantly learning and improving my skills.
Another challenge was changing between very different sectors like research, municipal work, industry, ESG research, and climate technology. Every field had different expectations, and adapting was not always easy. But these experiences made me more flexible and confident.
A third challenge was working with many stakeholders who often had different priorities. Climate and sustainability work involves governments, industries, investors, and communities. I learned that solving problems requires listening, patience, and communication as much as technical knowledge.
What Do You Do Today?
Today, I work in climate technology and sustainability, focusing on reducing industrial emissions and supporting cleaner solutions.
Pi Green Innovations is a climate technology company. The company develops technologies to reduce industrial emissions and support decarbonisation.
It operates mainly in sectors like cement, steel, thermal power, chemicals, and manufacturing. The goal is to help industries become cleaner and move toward net zero.
My role today is mostly focused on strategy, policy, business development, and stakeholder engagement rather than field work. I work with industries, government stakeholders, researchers, and climate experts to support the adoption of clean technologies. Although I still visit plants and interact with customers, most of my work involves solving problems at a strategic level.
My work involves thinking about how industries like cement, steel, and power can grow while becoming more environmentally responsible.
No two days are the same. Some days involve meetings, research, writing, or presentations. Other days involve strategy discussions and learning about new technologies.
What I enjoy most is that this field combines science, business, policy, and real-world impact. It keeps changing, which means I am always learning something new.
I am also a freelance advisor at Ethical Capitalist (Non-Profit Awareness Initiative). The Ethical Capitalist started from a simple belief that economic growth and ethics do not have to be opposites. Many people think capitalism and sustainability are contradictory, but I believe businesses can create value while also benefiting society and the environment.
Through articles, talks, and advisory work, I try to create awareness about sustainability, climate change, ESG, and responsible business. One of the goals is to make these topics easier to understand and encourage more people, especially young professionals and students, to think about long-term impact.
How does your work benefit society?
Every role I have had has been connected in some way to solving environmental and social challenges. Whether it was restoring mined land, improving waste management, helping industries reduce pollution, or supporting cleaner technologies, the larger goal has always been the same.
Today, much of my work focuses on reducing industrial emissions and supporting cleaner growth. Climate change affects everyone, and industries are responsible for a large share of emissions. If we can help industries become cleaner while remaining economically strong, society benefits through better air quality, reduced environmental damage, and a more sustainable future.
Tell us an example of a specific memorable work you did that is very close to you!
One project that remains very special to me is my work with Bharat Coking Coal Limited during my early career. Many people see mining areas only as damaged land. But during this project, I saw how restoration could bring life back to these places.
What made it memorable was that the work was not only about ecology. We were thinking about biodiversity, livelihoods, and how communities could benefit in the long run. It taught me that sustainability is not simply about protecting nature. It is about improving the relationship between people, the economy, and the environment.
So, seeing that ‘Recovery Is Possible’. I have seen that firsthand. That gave me the most important thing when you want to do good- HOPE.
Advice to students?
The biggest lesson I would share with students is this: you do not need to have your entire future planned when you are in school. Careers often grow through curiosity, trying new things, and being open to learning from every experience.