The Climate Institute Researcher Shaurya Patel's Contribution Honoured with Gujarat State Leadership Award

At this moment, advancing effective climate action through science, policy, and collaboration is among the most important contributions one can collectively make towards shaping a climate-resilient future. This belief, held by Shaurya Patel, Research Associate at the Global Centre for Environment and Energy (GCEE) within the recently established Climate Institute​​​​​​, has driven his extensive work in the field of climate change.

Shaurya’s work has been recognised with the Award for Outstanding Contribution to Climate Change at the Gujarat State Leadership Awards 2025. This recognition celebrates his commitment to climate science and policy, and his efforts in advancing global understanding through the work of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), thereby helping to shape a climate-resilient future.

“This recognition is less about me and more about the incredible support and trust I have received from Professors Minal Pathak and Priyadarshi Shukla over the years,” said Shaurya. “I have been fortunate to work with them since 2019. First by supporting them during the Sixth Assessment Report of the IPCC, and now through the Special Report on Climate Change and Cities, which is due in March 2027. These experiences have shaped my understanding of the science–policy interface in climate change, which has since become one of my core interests.”

A Chapter Scientist with IPCC, Shaurya supports authors in drafting report which involves coordinating scientific content, facilitating discussions, and ensuring the seamless integration of contributions from diverse authors and experts.

For Shaurya, working in this space has been both a deep learning experience and an invaluable opportunity to collaborate with scientists and researchers across disciplines including development, urban planning, climate science, economics, physical sciences, and social sciences. At the Climate Institute, Shaurya provides scientific and transdisciplinary support for research at the science–policy interface of climate change.

Shaurya's recognition amplifies the role of the Climate Institute, which actively conduct research that informs global climate change assessments including the IPCC and UNEP Emissions Gap Report and organises seminars and workshops to engage with different stakeholders for impact.