Lakshmi Venugopal Email & Phone Number

India, Asia Pacific

As an independent consultant, engage in policy level advocacy, project management, negotiation, stakeholder engagement, facilitation, training, research and documentation for projects focusing on Climate Change mitigation, adaptation and/or management. Contracting agencies have included both Indian and international organizations such as Pitchandikulam Forest Consultants, Asia Pacific Forum on Women, Law and Development, World Resources Institute, etc.

Auroville, India

Inner Climate Academy (ICA) provides spaces for inner reflection & inquiry, collaborative research & dialogue, and facilitated explorations that lead to personal and societal transformation of our relationship with the living Earth.At this time of climate and ecological emergency, and unprecedented crises of multiple dimensions in global human systems, ICA‘s vision is to bring forth an Earth honoring, life-affirming human presence on this planet, which will enable us to adapt and build regenerative cultures for the future beings of all species.

Auroville, India

Key Aspects: Environmental education, Sustainable living alternatives, Climate resilience in economically disadvantaged women.A social enterprise that seeks to address the environmental impact of sanitary waste by developing sustainable menstrual products. As the Coordinator of the Pads for Sisters Program, developed educational material and strategies to collaborate with organizations and government departments that work directly with economically disadvantaged women to disseminate information about Climate Change and environmental health impact of sanitary waste. Responsible for communication with various stakeholders, distribution and dissemination of menstrual hygiene education and subsidised pads to rural women, and developing and facilitating educational sessions in Tamil and English.

India

Investigating matrifocal ways of social organisation (in humans and Elephants) as a means to discover principles that could contribute to a philosophy of Eco-Civilisation. Old civilisations of the world, whose philosophies of engagement with the living Universe were developed far before industrialisation may still hold clues to principles of biomimetic engagement with the universe. These principles, when recovered, could be used to lay the foundational philosophy for an Eco-Civilisation. This requires an inter-civilisational dialogue - to remember and renovate old ideas in new forms that will contribute to a re-awakening of human civilisations through a re-engagement with the living Universe, each through their own unique narratives, yet, together in their goal of Eco-Civilisation.

Melbourne, Australia

Key Aspects: Evironmental Education, Community level solutions to Climate change; resilience, response and community action from marginalized groupsA project developed in collaboration with, and sponsored by the Melbourne City Council as a response to Climate change. It sought to build climate resilience amongst the residents of the city by developing climate change response in specific suburbs. As the project officer, managed the project from concept to delivery. Delivered public community education program in sustainable living and ‘One Planet Living’ principles. The training used Eco-Foot printing methodologies at a community level. And recruited Eco-Champions who developed and delivered local projects that helped lower the combined eco-footprint of the suburb of Carlton as a local solution for global environmental problems. Another component of the project was placed in Melbourne public housing estates in Carlton. Managed stakeholder engagement and conducted workshops to introduce the issue of Climate Change to a volatile population of one of Melbourne’s most disadvantaged community in a multi-lingual, multi-cultural setting.

Bundoora, Victoria

Key Aspects - Energy Performance Contract, Energy Efficiency, Clean Energy technology, Facility audits – energy and waterA Project developed by the Department of Treasury and Finance as a financial pathway to reduce Green House Gas emissions in the state of Victoria through an Energy Performance Contract. The project sought to move away from coal generated energy while also focusing on achieving maximum energy efficiency in facilities and buildings. Developed and delivered a program of energy and water environmental audits (level 2&3) of four major campuses of the University. Responsible for liaising with contractors and internal stakeholders to develop a plan of energy efficiency retrofit works for over hundred buildings in four locations across Victoria. Responsible for aligning the retrofit program with the University's ten year capital development plan. Developed project plan, stakeholder engagement strategy, risk register and mitigation strategy. Developed and managed a governance structure, Project Development Group, involving internal and external stake holders. Responsible for project reporting, documentation and communication, including quarterly reports to the University's Vice President and Chief Financial Officer . Coordinated a highly competitive tender processes involving energy and water audits conducted by three different companies on four different campuses. The role involved liaison with a varied array of internal and external stakeholders from contractors, government officials, consultants, auditors, banks, academics, to different departments of the university. Managed the project budget and periodic financial reporting. Implemented four stages of the Project within stipulated time-line, while engaging and informing all relevant stakeholders of any unexpected delay. Also supported the development of an Environmental Management System for the University.

Melbourne, Australia

Managed the initial Integration of three different community projects into one communityenvironmental enterprise as a climate change adaptation strategy for small towns; consistingof constructed wetland for waste water treatment, energy and bio diesel production and theuse of mushrooms for bio remediation. Responsible for mapping an integrated designwhich produced a closed loop system (energy and waste) to help built community resilienceto Climate Change. The role involved liaising with the local council, water corporation,environmental engineers, horticulturists, entrepreneurs and community members.Responsible for development of an implementation plan for construction of the wetland, inaccordance with relevant environmental legislation. Wrote proposals to different fundingagencies and conducted in-depth research on the implementation of the environmentalproject. Assisted in submitting an Australian Research council linkage research grant tohelp conduct action research on the project.

Melbourne Cbd

The position involved conducting in-depth research into issues of community sustainabilityand environment. Administered research applications and assisted senior researchers toaccess grants and other funding, including Australian Research Council (ARC) Grants.Undertook literature and project reviews on Climate Change and Community Sustainability.Undertook background research and produced literature and book reviews, assisting in thewriting of journal articles. Attended regular research meetings; recorded, organised anddisseminated meeting minutes and other records of projects. Organised and managedRMIT community sustainability seminars.

Melbourne, Australia

Conducted Environmental audits (Energy, Waste & Water) of several pubs and restaurantsin and around Melbourne and submitted detailed reports to clients about the currentenvironmental performance of the buildings and processes. The report also includeddetailed instructions and practical ways to improve environmental performance along withcostings and procurement suggestions.

All Campuses

Performed waste audits of different buildings of Monash University campuses andgathered data that helped the Office of Environmental Sustainability arrive at informedwaste management solutions. Categorised and quantified different types of waste,following standard industry protocols, which led to the compilation of meaningful statisticaldata that informed the behaviour change strategies specific to each university building.Assisted in the implementation of environmental behaviour change programs at MonashUniversity which helped students and staff reduce their waste and manage waste better.

Melbourne

The position was a two month work-placement as a part of Green Steps EnvironmentalTraining Program. Conducted energy, waste and paper audits of the Department of Justiceoffice and submitted a detailed report, including practical suggestions and behaviour changestrategies to improve the environmental performance of the office. Undertook rating of allthe buildings of the Department of Justice Victoria, according to NABERS rating methodand compiled the information to maintain ongoing improvements of environmentalperformance of their buildings.

Master Of Environmental Sustainability, Environmental Sustainability

Diploma, Training And Assessment

Bachelor Of Technology, Technology