Dr. Piyush Verma

04/11/2025

I am incredibly honored to be named one of the University of Auckland - Waipapa Taumata Rau’s 40 Under 40 for 2025, under the Influencers and Changemakers category—selected from a global pool of over 500 nominations.

Exactly eleven years ago today, on 4 November 2014, I arrived at Auckland Airport with a head full of questions. I had just taken a leap of faith to begin my PhD in electrical and electronic engineering, and I was filled with uncertainty.

Was this the right decision? Would I be able to complete a PhD? How long would it take to find a job? Would I ever be able to work in the world of public policy, which was where my true passion lay but felt increasingly distant from my academic track? At the time, I saw very few—if any—examples of engineers moving into international climate policy or public policy spaces. It felt like I was stepping into uncharted territory—trying to blend engineering with policy in ways that weren’t yet very common.

Looking back, I now know I couldn’t have chosen a better place than New Zealand. It is a country of breathtaking natural beauty, intellectual rigor, and some of the kindest, most welcoming people I’ve ever encountered. The University of Auckland not only gave me technical depth but also expanded my horizons. It gave me the confidence to think globally and the courage to embrace uncertainty.

This recognition is deeply personal and not mine alone. I owe so much to the professors, mentors, colleagues, and friends who supported me during my time in New Zealand. I’m remembering everyone today with deep gratitude. Thank you for believing in me when I was still learning to believe in myself.

More at:

This year’s 40 Under 40 list celebrates outstanding alumni making a meaningful difference in their field and community.

11/08/2025

Extremely saddened by the devastating news of the passing of my dear friend Miguel Uribe, Senator from Colombia, who was preparing to seek his party’s nomination for the 2026 presidential race.
Miguel and I were batchmates at Harvard in 2021–2022 during our Mid-Career MPA Mason Fellow Program. In one of our classes, “Why Are So Many Countries Poor, Volatile, and Unequal?”, we often sat next to each other. I remember him telling me one day that this was one of the key questions he wanted to understand. While the class was rooted in economics, he said that “economics is not always the answer.” We had several deep conversations on that topic.

I still remember when I once shared my own life journey in class — Miguel wrote to me privately, “Great and inspirational story, Piyush. Thank you for sharing.” That was who he was: always generous with his words, encouraging of others, and genuinely invested in people’s stories.

He became a senator while a student at Harvard — a testament to his extraordinary courage and deep compassion for serving Colombia and its people. His vision for his country was boundless, and his commitment to making a difference was truly inspiring.

May Miguel’s life journey continue to inspire us all to do our part in making the world a better and safer place. My thoughts and prayers are with his family in this time of immense loss. May God grant them strength and comfort. Rest in peace, my friend!

Mr. Uribe, a presidential hopeful, was shot in June at a campaign rally in Bogotá in an attack that shocked the nation.

11/07/2025

🌍 We never really know where life will take us.

For the past three months, I’ve been traveling from the USA almost every month to work in a beautiful island country called Niue, tucked away in the South Pacific Ocean. The country is often described as a tropical paradise and known for its crystal clear waters, unique geological formations, and abundant marine life.

As Chief Technical Advisor on Sustainable Energy with the United Nations Development Programme, it has been an honor and a privilege to support the Government of Niue on their journey toward a clean energy future.

From planting the idea just two months ago to bringing it to life, the Niue National Energy Summit 2025 became a reality—the first of its kind in a decade. It has been one of the most inspiring and rewarding experiences of my career.

Over the past two days, it was more than a privilege to bring together leaders from every corner of Niue to discuss all about energy: the Prime Minister, Cabinet Ministers, Members of Parliament, village council chairpersons, directors from every government department, private sector, civil society, and development partners.

We also welcomed voices often left out—youth, women, elders, persons with disabilities, and holders of traditional knowledge in the community.

Everyone shared one purpose: to shape Niue’s clean energy future for the next decade.

I especially want to thank Prime Minister Hon. Dalton Tagelagi for staying through almost the entire Summit, listening to every conversation, and even jumping into the technical discussions. His openness and commitment were truly inspiring.

Deeply grateful for the chance to contribute to this journey and hopeful that the ideas shared will soon become Niue’s next 10-year energy strategy.

For me, this experience is a reminder that even in a small island, there are big learnings to carry forward. 🌱 Experiential learning always outweighs any other kind.

📸 Sharing a few photos that capture the spirit of this amazing week—from moments with the Prime Minister of Niue, to snapshots with colleagues, vibrant local dance performances, and the island’s stunning scenery.

01/04/2025

As nations accelerate towards a net-zero world, the volume of discarded modules, turbine blades and -ion is surging. What can we do? Read a piece I wrote for the World Economic Forum.

As nations accelerate towards a net-zero world, the volume of discarded solar modules, turbine blades and lithium-ion batteries is surging. What can we do?