Ramesh Prateek R of ABB – Climate Professional Interview – Clidemy Careers
Clidemy Careers is a new section at Clidemy where we post inputs and insights on career opportunities opening up in the fast growing climate action sector.
The Climate Professional Interview is one avenue through which we provide the insight. In this, we interact with professionals working in the climate action domain to get answers to questions that will be of value to many others who are seeking a career in climate.
We are pleased to present the Climate Career Recruiter Interview with Ramesh Prateek R, Sustainability Engineer E-mobility and Environment Specialist at ABB, a technology leader in electrification and automation, enabling a more sustainable and resource-efficient future.
The company’s solutions connect engineering know-how and software to optimize how things are manufactured, moved, powered and operated. Building on more than 130 years of excellence, ABB’s 105,000 employees are committed to driving innovations that accelerate industrial transformation.
Team Clidemy thanks Ramesh for his insights.
Tell us a bit about your educational background
Higher secondary education: During my academic journey, I pursued the Sciences stream in school, focusing on subjects such as Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics.
Graduation: For my undergraduate studies, I attended Sri Venkateshwara College of Engineering, Chennai, where I earned a Bachelor’s degree in Electrical and Electronics Engineering.
Post-graduation: Driven by my passion for sustainable energy, I furthered my education by pursuing a master’s degree in the Netherlands. I successfully completed my studies in Sustainable Energy Technology, specialising in Electrical Energy Systems.
What is your current role?
I am currently employed as a Lead Sustainability Engineer & Environmental Specialist at ABB E-mobility, located in Delft, the Netherlands. In this role, I am responsible for spearheading sustainable energy initiatives and providing expertise in environmental matters within the field of electric mobility.
What are the different types of climate roles you have done so far?
- Junior Market Analyst: I embarked on my sustainability career as a Junior Market Analyst at Energy Alternatives India immediately after completing my undergraduate degree. My focus primarily revolved around Solar PV projects.
- Researcher: During my master’s program, I engaged in industrial training as a Researcher, specifically assessing the environmental impacts of Electric Vehicles and their influence on the electricity grid.
- Electrical Engineer/Designer: Following the completion of my master’s degree, I joined Mott MacDonald, Chennai, a reputable UK-based management, engineering, and development consultancy. In this role, I made valuable contributions as an Electrical Engineer, specialising in sustainable lighting design. These efforts played a significant role in obtaining LEED certification for multiple infrastructure projects.
- Researcher and Lecturer: Subsequent to my master’s degree, I undertook research projects related to Electric Mobility and Solar Energy under the Interreg Programme, co-funded by the European Union. In parallel, I had the opportunity to teach sustainability-related courses to undergraduate students at Hogeschool van Amsterdam (Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences).
- Sustainability Engineer & Environmental Specialist: Presently, I hold the position of Lead Sustainability Engineer at ABB E-mobility Global. In this role, I am responsible for devising and implementing sustainable principles and best practices, ensuring their integration throughout the organisation.
How does a typical week in your work look?
My work week is quite dynamic as I engage with various sustainability topics. The primary focus of my work lies in developing and implementing Sustainability strategies. Presently, I am actively involved in crafting a Sustainability Strategy for my company. This task entails extensive collaboration and dialogue with corporate C-executives, given the nature of corporate sustainability.
What are the components of your work that excite you the most?
- A sense of purpose and positive contribution for our planet: Creating positive impact on the environment and the society through sustainable practices and solutions.
- Dynamic: The dynamic nature of Sustainability makes it challenging yet interesting.
- Global perspective and systemic thinking: I enjoy contributing to global sustainability efforts and being a part of a larger movement to combat climate emergencies and protect Mother Earth.
- Sustainability in innovation and technology: Incorporating Sustainability principles (e.g.: Circularity, etc) in cutting edge technologies in Sustainable mobility; also finding innovative approaches to address environmental and societal challenges facing us.
- Collaboration and stakeholder engagement: Collaborating with internal and external stakeholders from multidisciplinary and multicultural backgrounds to drive collective action to achieving common sustainability goals.
- Strategic visioning: Developing sustainable strategies and roadmaps that integrate environmental, social, and economic aspects.
- Education and training: Raising awareness and training various technical and non-technical stakeholders and inspiring others to join the sustainability journey.
What types of skills are specifically required in your type of role?
Technical:
- Academic training in a scientific discipline
- Environmental and Sustainability knowledge
- Systems thinking
- Life Cycle Thinking and Life Cycle Assessment
- Data analysis and visualisation
- Circularity
- Policy and regulatory knowledge
- Basic knowledge of corporate finance and economics
Non-technical:
- High Emotional Intelligence
- Empathy and social & environmental awareness
- Proactiveness and a positive attitude
- Critical thinking
- Collaborative mindset
- Communication and engagement
- Ability to read, absorb and synthesise large amounts of relevant information
- Project management
- Curiosity
- Integrity and Respect
What types of educational background would roles such as yours require?
A background in science and sustainability-related education are important. Having an engineering mindset/thinking is crucial, and while having a relevant degree would be beneficial, it is not necessarily required.
What would your suggestions be for students or professionals keen to have careers such as yours?
- First, introspect and make sure you really want to pursue a career in this field – be true to yourself!
- Pursue educational programs in sustainability or allied subjects, followed by a relevant internship.
- Obtain sustainability certifications and follow MOOCs offered by universities.
- Gain hands-on experience by working on sustainability-related projects, even on a volunteer basis.
- Engage in networking and building strong connections with former classmates and professionals in your industry (very important! This is what will mostly lead to finding a suitable foothold in the industry).
- Develop technical skills related to sustainability (data analysis, Life cycle assessment, renewable energy technologies, sustainability reporting, circularity, etc)
- Identify a suitable mentor who can provide personal (e.g., feedback) and professional guidance, and valuable insights into this field.
- The reputation and size of the company you start at is not important; the project and nature of the work is key.
- Create a portfolio listing your relevant projects and case studies (use LinkedIn). Prepare a brief, professional-looking CV.
- Be curious, keep yourself updated with current developments in sustainability, and be open to learning. Do good for the planet. Have empathy. Look for the big picture.
What are your suggestions for professionals from sectors unrelated to climate tech to get a foothold in your sector?
- Being passionate about sustainability is most important.
- Sustainability can be achieved in everything we do – be it environmental, societal or economic sustainability. One can try to incorporate sustainability in their regular work/industry, without needing to change industries.
- If one is looking to make a full shift to the sustainability sector, try to gain an additional degree (part-time is also fine) in sustainability.
- Obtain sustainability certifications and follow MOOCs offered by universities.
- Develop technical skills related to sustainability (data analysis, Life cycle assessment, renewable energy technologies, sustainability reporting, circularity, etc.)
- Gain hands-on experience by working on sustainability-related projects, even on a volunteer basis.
- Be curious, keep yourself updated with current developments in sustainability, and be open to learning.
- Do not forget to network!
What are your perspectives on the future business trends and career opportunities in your sector?
Sustainability considerations will continue to grow in all aspects of our society – corporate, government, as well as academia. This will create a demand for professionals who can implement sustainable practices and technologies.
- Political: Regulatory and legislative policies will be the primary driver for sustainable development – this requires sustainability-related policy-makers, strategists, ministers, researchers, environmental lawyers, etc.
- Environmental: Climate change mitigation and adaptation will require environmental engineers, climate resilience planners and engineers, biodiversity experts, LCA experts, water experts, circularity professionals, etc.
- Sociocultural: Career opportunities include sustainable Product Development and Marketing, opportunities in community development, sustainability and social entrepreneurship, and Corporate Social Responsibility managers to address social inequalities, human rights, labour issues, etc.
- Technological: Sustainability engineers for sustainable urban planning and infrastructure- e.g., Smart Cities, smart mobility, smart grids, sustainable digital solution experts, data analysts, climate analysts & modellers, Life Cycle Assessment experts, etc.
- Legal: Environmental Compliance and Risk Management (including environmental law, sustainability auditing, environmental impact assessment, etc,) and Sustainability Reporting and Standards.
- Economic: Experts and consultants related to sustainable finance, carbon credits, supply chain optimisation, and green projects to finance the transition to a low-carbon economy.
- Academia: All the above careers need extensive academic training and skill development, along with high-quality research & development facilities. This creates opportunities for teachers, lab professionals, curriculum developers, etc.
What are your future aspirations in your climate tech career?
My ultimate goal is to play a significant role in formulating and implementing sustainability policies and plans at a national level. Specifically, I would like to contribute my expertise and efforts towards shaping India’s sustainability roadmap.
What other interesting career roles are opening up in your domain?
- Corporate Sustainability Manager
- Minister of Sustainable Development and the Environment (Government related)
- Sustainability Specialist
- Environmental Specialist
- Environmental, Social and Governance Expert/Consultant
- Chief Sustainability Officer (CSO)
- Life Cycle Assessment Engineer/Expert
- Circularity Engineer/Expert/Consultant
- Circular Economy Specialist
- Sustainability Business Development Manager
- Sustainability Researcher
- Sustainable Supply Chain Engineer/Manager
- Climate Risk Assessment Manager/Expert
- Green investment Manager/Advisor
- Climate Policy Developer/Analyst
- Renewable Energy Engineer/Specialist
- Sustainability/Climate Data Analyst
- Sustainability Strategist
- Sustainability Project Developer
- Climate Entrepreneur
- Climate Communication Manager/Specialist
- Sustainability and Carbon Accounting Auditor
- Green/Sustainable Finance Specialist
- Lecturer/Professor in Sustainability
Have there been some really satisfying events or moments in your career?
- In my former role as a lecture, I found joy and purpose in teaching my students (the next generation) about sustainability and climate change.
- In my current role, I take pleasure in conducting Sustainability training programs and raising awareness among internal and external stakeholders in the corporate sphere.
- In my current role, implementing circularity in our electric mobility products is a techno-economic challenge. Thus, I thrive on finding solutions to these problems and look for ways to integrate principles of resource efficiency, product lifecycle management, and circular design to implement & foster the circularity culture into our organisation.
- Lastly, it has been a satisfying experience to spearhead the development of a global sustainability strategy and roadmap for ABB E-mobility, setting ambitious targets and outlining a clear path towards a sustainable and resilient future.
If you were to start with your college education all over again, what changes would you have made?
I deeply appreciate and feel a sense of contentment for the academic choices I have made throughout my life.
What are your other interests and hobbies?
Due to my naturally curious nature, I have a wide range of interests that span across various fields. The list of my interests is extensive.
- Drumming
- Basketball
- Cooking
- Travelling
- Mountain Biking
- Bartending
