Manohar Namasivayam of EAI – Climate Professional Interview – Clidemy Careers
Clidemy Careers is a new section at Clidemy where we put 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 this Climate Career Professional Interview with Manohar Namasivayam, Co-Founder at Energy Alternatives India, a leading business catalyst for the climate tech sector – clean energy, low carbon mobility, sustainable materials and clean environment.
EAI has been providing support to the Indian climate tech sector since 2008. Through their offerings in strategic & market intelligence, critical support for the climate startup & innovation ecosystem, and geo-focussed decarbonization implementation assistance, they hope to become a vital contributor to India’s climate action & sustainable growth.
Team Clidemy thanks Manohar for his insights.
Tell us a bit about your educational background
I am a chemical engineer from A.C.Tech, Chennai and a management graduate from IIM Calcutta
What is your current role?
I am a cofounder of Clixoo/ EAI/ Climafix etc along with Narsi. I am at present playing the role of an advertiser. I am a chess player and am pretty creative – or atleast, so say the colleagues. So, i get jobs and responsibilities to strategize. I enjoy such work.
What are the different types of climate roles you have done so far?
“Climate is the long-term weather pattern in a region, typically averaged over 30 years. More rigorously, it is the mean and variability of meteorological variables over a time spanning from months to millions of years.” I cant imagine playing any role there.
How does a typical week in your work look?
As I have a lot of time, I read up a lot on climate change and decarbonisation avenues. One whole day is not enough to complete reading daily events and articles. I then forward with / without comments to our own whatsapp groups as well as other groups , I take trouble of calling my classmates who are chemical engineers and have deep dived into technology, about the decarbonisation innovations that i read that week . Linked in posts are also important to me. End of the week, on sunday mornings Narsi and i have breakfast regularly and discuss the weeks progress and the challenges in the following week. Largely we discuss only strategy.
What are the components of your work that excite you the most?
I am really happy with what i am doing now. Reading regularly, strategizing and discussing.
What types of skills are specifically required in your type of role?
Exactly what type of skills i possess. To be a good chess player. To be able to think beyond the obvious. What if you sacrifice your rook, bishop or knight or the queen? What if the opponent sacrifices the Queen and rooks to mate you ? Its only that kind of thinking that can bring about a great idea. Have i come up with such a great idea for clixoo/ eai/ Not exactly. But am confident i will do it sooner than later.
What types of educational background would roles such as yours require?
Engineering background will help a lot to understand the start up ideas.
What would your suggestions be for students or professionals keen to have careers such as yours?
They should realise that they are the last generation who can do something to mitigate climate change disaster.
What are your suggestions for professionals from sectors unrelated to climate tech to get a foothold in your sector?
Start reading up all news regarding climate change. Join groups like “Chennai Climate change consortium” and such other groups. Interact with startups, industry pioneers, academia etc.,
What are your perspectives on the future business trends and career opportunities in your sector?
Carbon trading will emerge as the most important part of mitigating climate change disaster.
What other interesting career roles are opening up in your domain?
The syllabus in chemical engineering needs to be modified, to take care of decarbonisation in most manufacturing processes. ie cement, petroleum, fertiliser, Plastics, textiles, etc
Have there been some really satisfying events or moments in your career?
Climafix being conducted by IITM and eai is a great satisfying moment for me.
If you were to start with your college education all over again, what changes would you have made?
Revised syllabus to take care of decarbonisation
What are your other interests and hobbies?
- Chess
- Table tennis
- Darts
- Badminton
