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Varad Pande is a leader in Boston Consulting Group’s Climate & Sustainability (C&S) and Social Impact (SI) practices with a focus on emerging markets. He is part of BCG’s Asia leadership team for social impact, climate finance, and adaptation and resilience. He has over 20 years of global experience as a senior ministerial advisor, an impact investor, and strategy consultant.

Varad’s work has spanned UN Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) domains such as financial inclusion, agriculture and livelihoods; and he has helped shape the global discourse on the role of digital public infrastructure (DPI) in accelerating the achievement of the SDGs.

Before joining the firm, Varad was a Partner at Omidyar Network India, a global leader in impact investing, where he led strategy, impact, and new initiatives. He was a partner and Asia Leader at Dalberg, a global advisory firm focused on social impact.

Varad has been a Special Advisor to India's Minister for Environment & Rural Development, during which time he helped drive India’s agenda on climate change policy, sustainable livelihoods, and digitizing government payments. He led the creation of the Prime Minister's Rural Development Fellowship that connects India's youth with grassroots development. Varad was Principal Advisor to Nobel Laureate Abhijit Banerjee on the UN Secretary General’s Panel on the Post-2015 Agenda which developed the blueprint for the SDGs.

AREAS OF EXPERTISE

EDUCATION

  • MPA in International Development, Harvard Kennedy School
  • MA, economics, University of Cambridge
  • BA, honors, economics, St. Stephens College, Delhi

HONORS AND AWARDS

  • Member, Drafting Committee, India’s Social Stock Exchange Blueprint, SEBI (Securities Regulator)
  • Member, US-India Task Force (Center for American Progress)
  • Dean’s Ambassador, Harvard Kennedy School
  • Chevening Nehru Scholar, University of Cambridge
  • Rudra Prize for all round excellence, St. Stephen’s College
  • Mentor, Ananta Fellows for Climate Action
  • Commissioner on CGIAR’s Global Commission on Sustainable Agriculture

Publications and Videos

The Collective Advantage: Understanding Transboundary Climate Risks in Southeast Asia and Charting a Path Forward | Hero

The Collective Advantage: Understanding Transboundary Climate Risks in Southeast Asia and Charting a Path Forward

Southeast Asia’s interconnected geography and shared culture foster deep social and economic ties, but as transboundary climate risks grow, can the region unite in a collective roadmap for resilience?
Unified Data Highways | Hero

Unified Data Highways – The Next Frontier of Digital Public Infrastructure

UDHs leverage DPI approach to improve data sharing and promote inclusive innovation in emerging economies. The report outlines the potential of UDHs and guides nations to establish it responsibly.
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The People-Centric Energy Transition in Asia Pacific: The Now, the How, and the Future

Despite growing interests and investment in Energy Transition, "People" are often overlooked. How can we change this to ensure People are front and center of the transition process?

Exploring Climate Solutions in India with Varad Pande

In this episode of Brewed for Change, BCG's Varad Pande discusses his involvement with various global and domestic initiatives aimed at combating climate change.

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Are Economic Clusters Ready for the Green Transition?

Governments have two key strategies—evolving existing economic clusters to remain competitive and capitalizing on emerging opportunities—to help economic clusters rapidly adapt to the green transition.
NEW | BCG Publication Placeholder 3

Climate Adaptation and Resilience Needs More Innovative Funding. Here's How to Design Financing to Unlock It

Innovative financing tools are being adopted by investors and development banks, but more needs to be done to mainstream these products in order to bridge the gaps in adaptation and resilience funding.

Protecting Climate Vulnerable SEA

Communities in Southeast Asia (SEA) are particularly vulnerable to the disastrous effects of climate change. The Philippines Climate Change Commission Secretary Robert E.A. Borje and BCG’s Varad Pande outline how resilience in SEA is a top priority.

The Role of Governance and Boards in the Climate Change Conversation

Climate Governance Malysia’s Sunita Rajakumar and BCG’s Varad Pande explore what they see as the role of governance and boards in the climate change conversation, and why they believe it’s critical for the boardroom to be better represented at COP.

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Making it Real: Beyond the Rhetoric of Just Energy Transition

A just energy transition offers significant opportunities for inclusive development in emerging markets. Discover the tangible ways to make this transition a reality.

Accelerate, Blend, Commit

New industries, mechanisms, and ecosystems must be established to mobilize climate finance. Here’s what other countries can learn from India.

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The Might of Nature and the Power of Technology: Charting a Climate-Resilient Southeast Asia

Southeast Asia is at high vulnerability to climate challenges - but within these lie immense opportunities. How should stakeholders tap into these to forge meaningful pathways for the region?
NEW | BCG Publication Placeholder 1

How National-Level Blended Finance Can Catalyze the Climate Transition in Emerging Markets

Capital flowing to the climate transition is insufficient. To achieve net zero, key investment barriers must be addressed. Here's how.