Siva Balasubramanian

Principal Sustainability Strategist

Background

With a career spanning just over a decade, my passion lies in catalyzing systemic change through inclusive, sustainable, and socially just models. I operate at the intersection of People, Planet, Policy, and Systems, with a primary focus on Climate, Agri-Food Systems, Health Systems, and Energy Systems.

In my multifaceted roles, I have consistently worn the hat of a complex systems thinker and advocate for people-centric designs. Drawing from my extensive experience in social and sustainability consulting, I've been deeply involved in evidence-based program designs, independent formative and summative evaluations (both quasi and experimental), and programmatic MEL across diverse sectors. Much of my work has revolved around collaborating with intermediaries and research institutions like J-PAL SA, IFMR - LEAD, Samhita, and the Catalyst Group. I've had the privilege of engaging with renowned institutions such as The World Bank, USAID, SKOLL Foundation, MacArthur, CIFF, Rockefeller Foundation, BMGF, TATA Trusts, and more, collectively impacting over 10 million vulnerable populations through various programs and initiatives.

One of the highlights of my journey was contributing to the development of India's First Emissions Trading Scheme, aimed at low-cost air pollution mitigation and regulation by government and industries. This groundbreaking initiative was developed in collaboration with J-PAL, EPIC-India, EPoD-India, and the State Pollution Control Boards. Additionally, I evolved the design of the Regenerative Agriculture Communities model, which strategically intervenes at the crossroads of food, energy, and health systems. This initiative focuses on building climate-resilient communities, greening sectors, and promoting carbon sequestration.

My educational background encompasses a post-graduate degree in Energy and Environmental Management from Glasgow Caledonian University and an undergraduate degree in Bio-Technology. I am thrilled to be engaging with Forum for the Future and the Responsible Energy Initiative, where there is a commitment to promoting sustainability, championing solutions that bridge social and environmental equity, and advocacy for a just, regenerative and transformative shift in our approach to production, consumption, and the concept of value creation.

My dream project

My dream project is to create and scale self-sustaining communities and ecosystems guided by the principles of systems thinking and sustainability design. This endeavour prioritizes equity and shared resource ecosystems, striving to harmonize natural, human, and social capital. At its core, the project aims to advance sustainable energy systems, circular water and waste management, regenerative agriculture and sustainable food production, sustainable landscapes, and biodiversity conservation to nurture a balanced relationship between ecosystems and the environment.

What floats my boat outside work?

Outside my professional commitments, I find immense joy in travel, whether it's exploring new places on my bike or embarking on solo adventures. I'm a fervent sports enthusiast, both as a player and a spectator. My musical preferences range from rock and metal to regional favourites. Additionally, I'm deeply passionate about delving into the world of indigenous cuisine and preserving traditional food recipes, particularly those that incorporate millet and rare grain varieties.

Latest

Advancing climate justice: A call to action for businesses

Explore the insights from The Business Guide to Advancing Climate Justice, co-published by Forum for the Future and B Lab U.S. and Canada, with reflections from Ksenia Benifand, American Climate Futures’ Program Director.
Shape Just Transition Pathways

There are a multitude of decarbonisation solutions and many technically possible pathways to achieving net-zero, but there is a risk that some pathways will be incremental and others may perpetuate harm to people and the planet. We enable change actors in the energy system to navigate the evolving energy landscape that is being driven by innovation in energy technologies, business models and government policy.
Reimagine Purpose

The energy transition holds the potential to shape a more equitable world, but also to perpetuate and grow existing energy, economic and social inequities. We need to reimagine the purpose of the energy system, ensuring it reflects the needs of citizens and communities and best enables a transition to a future-fit system that delivers just and regenerative outcomes.
Scale socially just, ecologically safe and regenerative RE

Scaling renewable energy offers affordable, reliable energy and fights climate change. However, unregulated deployment may bring environmental, social, and human rights issues. We collaborate with energy change actors to co-create a vision and principles for socially equitable and environmentally responsible renewable energy.

Josh Weinberg

Associate Director of Finance
Libby Lyon

Senior Change Designer
Rowan Kinchin

Network Operations Director at the School of System Change
Glen Jones-Smythe

Interim Global Financial Controller
Duncan Williams

Principal - Food and Regenerative Agriculture
Ayesha Khosla

Senior Sustainability Strategist
Aditi Khurana

Senior Fundraising and Development Manager
Lisa Ivanow

Administrative Assistant
Nitin Kesar

Senior Communications and Marketing Manager
Anjali Kannangath

Strategist

The Five Capitals - a framework for sustainability

The Five Capitals Model provides a basis for understanding sustainability in terms of the economic concept of wealth creation or ‘capital’. Any organisation will use five types of capital to deliver its products or services. A sustainable organisation will maintain and where possible enhance these stocks of capital assets, rather than deplete or degrade them.
Jobs

We are a growing organisation and we are regularly on the look out for new recruits to join our teams around the world.
For a just and regenerative future

Forum for the Future is a leading international sustainability organisation running out of offices in the UK, US, India and Singapore.
Growing our Future US

Working together to accelerate the transition to a just and regenerative agriculture system in the United States.
Sustainability and system change

Climate change, malnutrition, inequality, poverty, ecological degradation. The global challenges we face are so urgent and tricky that we need a solution to match their scale and complexity. This is where system change comes in. We use systems thinking to understand the web of interrelations that create complex problems, anticipate unintended consequences, and identify how and where to take action to meet the SDG goals.
What is Net Positive?

We reinvent strategies for a 1.5°C world. Our Net Positive approach helps business put back more into society and environment than it takes out. Unilever’s pioneering commitment to eliminate fossil fuels from its operations and directly support the generation of more renewable energy than they consume was driven behind the scenes by Forum.
Transport or Mobility: What’s the difference and why does it matter?

Recently, the word transportation is being replaced with mobility. Why is this happening? What’s the difference between them? And why should we care about this change?
Become a system change agent

Learn more about upcoming system change programmes and express your interest.
6 ways Unilever has achieved success through sustainability - and how your business can too

A year ago this week, Unilever launched its Sustainable Living Plan (USLP), one of the most ambitious strategies that a global company has ever embarked on. Pioneering a bold new business model, the company pledged to double in size at the same time as halving its environmental footprint.
Transforming the Purpose of Business

More and more businesses like are setting ambitious targets for positive impact on their operations, value chains and wider operating context. For more than 25 years we have partnered with businesses to navigate this complexity and design impactful solutions that deliver the deeper change that’s needed. Why not get in touch to find out more?