Sandeep Pai

Senior Associate (Non-resident), Energy Security and Climate Change Program
Sandeep Pai

Sandeep Pai is an award-winning reporter and researcher.  His expertise spans the political economy of energy transitions, coal sector dynamics, energy access, and just transitions. Previously, Sandeep worked as an investigative journalist with leading Indian newspapers such as the Hindustan Times, writing on rural development, energy transition, and political corruption in India and South Asia. In 2016, he was awarded India’s most prestigious journalism award, the Ramnath Goenka Excellence in Journalism award, for his series of stories on corruption in state-owned enterprises. Sandeep has also worked as a consultant for international organizations such as the International Institute for Sustainable Development and the Black Sea Commission. In 2018, he published his first book on global energy transitions, titled Total Transition: The Human Side of the Renewable Energy Revolution. Sandeep’s views often appear in media outlets such as The Guardian, Times of India, CNN, and elsewhere. He holds a PhD in resources, environment, and sustainability from the University of British Columbia. He also holds a joint MSc degree in environmental sciences, policy, and management from Lund University, Central European University, and the University of the Aegean, as well as a BTech in computer science and engineering from Cochin University of Science and Technology.

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Building a Just Transition: Strategies for a Sustainable Energy Future

This week, Joseph Majkut talks with Sandeep Pai (Swaniti Global), Neelima Jain (CSIS), and Pradip Swarnakar (IIT-Kanpur) about how a just transition fits into our energy transition.

Podcast Episode by Joseph Majkut, Sandeep Pai, Neelima Jain, Pradip Swarnakar, and Lisa Hyland — April 29, 2024

Photo: CSIS

Experts React: Few Triumphs at COP27

CSIS energy and climate experts review the expectations for COP27 and look at China’s evolving role in global negotiations, progress on the Global Methane Pledge, and fossil fuel phasedowns.

Commentary by Ben Cahill, Sandeep Pai, and Taiya Smith — November 22, 2022

Themes to Watch For at COP27

This year’s UNFCCC Conference of the Parties (COP27) will focus on converting pledges and multilateralism into action, but the energy crisis and climate risks loom over negotiations.

Commentary by Tani Salma, Sandeep Pai, and Joseph Majkut — November 4, 2022

The G7 and Indian Just Energy Transition Partnership Roadmap

For the much-anticipated Just Energy Transition Partnership between coal-dependent India and the G7 countries to work, India needs to craft a national action plan for a just transition. This plan should then form the basis of negotiation.

Commentary by Sandeep Pai — October 11, 2022

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New York to Pittsburgh: Climate Takes from Two Cities

Last month, climate and clean energy experts convened in New York for Climate Week 2022 and then Pittsburgh for the Global Clean Energy Action Forum.

Podcast Episode by Lisa Hyland, Kartikeya Singh, Sandeep Pai, and Morgan Higman — October 3, 2022

Photo: CSIS
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Just Transition Planning in the U.S. and South Africa

Jesse Burton (University of Cape Town) and Joey James (Downstream Strategies) join Sandeep Pai (CSIS) to discuss progress and challenges in creating and implementing Just Transition policies in Coal communities in the United States, South Africa and India.  

Podcast Episode by Sandeep Pai — September 19, 2022

Photo: CSIS
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Just Transition Planning in the U.S. and South Africa

Jesse Burton (University of Cape Town) and Joey James (Downstream Strategies) join Sandeep Pai (CSIS) to discuss progress and challenges in creating and implementing Just Transition policies in Coal communities in the United States, South Africa and India. They look at local remediation efforts, and state policies and frameworks, look forward to how these countries may further integrate just Transition Planning into broader, global climate policies. 

Podcast Episode by Lisa Hyland and Sandeep Pai — September 19, 2022

Photo: CSIS
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Just Transitions: Environmental Remediation

This week, Mzila Mthenjane with Exxaro Resources in South Africa and Dr. Raju Evr with the Indian Ministry of Environment, Forests & Climate Change, join Sandeep Pai of the Just Transition Initiative to look at the role of environmental remediation plays in the just transition agenda.

Podcast Episode by Sandeep Pai — April 4, 2022

Photo: CSIS
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Just Transitions: Economic Diversification for Coal Dependent Regions

This week, Gaylor Montmasson-Clair with Trade & Industrial Policy Strategies (TIPS) and Srestha Banerjee with iForest join Sandeep Pai (CSIS) to explore the opportunities and challenges for coal-dependent regions in India and South Africa to create just and sustainable pathways to diversify their economies.

Podcast Episode by Sandeep Pai — November 15, 2021

Photo: CSIS

Why Won’t Major Coal-Dependent Countries Sign on to a Coal Phaseout Deal?

At COP26 in Glasgow, coal phaseout has been extensively discussed. Although 46 countries have signed on to a coal phaseout pledge, major coal producers and consumers such as China, India, and Australia are not on board due to domestic energy and socioeconomic imperatives.

Commentary by Sandeep Pai, Jane Nakano, and Lachlan Carey — November 10, 2021