Wasundara Doradeniya is a PhD researcher at the University of Manchester. With experience as a policy analyst at the World Biogas Association and its UK counterpart, Wasundara worked on advocating for the UK’s biogas industry and collaborated with various government departments on energy and climate policy. She also gained international insights from her work with the Climate and Clean Air Coalition Secretariat at UNEP in 2021. Her industry experience spans from renewable energy, air pollution mitigation, net-zero transition, to decarbonisation of hard-to-abate sectors.
Wasundara holds a Master’s in Environmental Policy from Central European University (2020-2021) and a Bachelor’s in Environmental Science from the Asian University for Women (2015-2019). Complimented by the environmental policy background and industry experience, her current research focuses on the mission-oriented approach in climate action, urban climate governance, net-zero strategies, and decarbonisation of cities.
Wasundara’s work explores the dynamics of urban climate governance, net-zero strategies, and city-level climate decarbonisation. As a member of both the Tyndall Centre and the CAST Centre, she brings a multifaceted perspective to climate action research and implementation. She is currently working on a collaborative project between Tyndall Manchester and the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA), focusing on accelerating city-level climate action through stakeholder engagement with businesses and mission-based approaches. Her interdisciplinary experience in policy analysis, stakeholder engagement, and environmental science uniquely positions her to contribute towards bridging the gap between research and practical implementation of climate solutions at the city level.