Rohit Aggarwala Appointed Chief Climate Officer of NYC Department of Environmental Protection

New York City Mayor Eric Adams has assembled a new climate leadership team headed by Indian-American environmentalist Rohit T. Aggarwala that will focus on environmental conservation and environmental justice across NYC.

FREMONT, CA: Rohit Aggarwala, a widely acknowledged expert on urban sustainability, technology, and mobility, has been appointed the Chief Climate Officer and Commissioner of the NYC Department of Environmental Protection (DEP).

NYC Mayor Eric Adams also announced the January 31 creation of a new Mayor’s Office of Climate and Environmental Justice (MOCEJ), crystallizing multiple city agencies into one, headed by Kizzy Charles-Guzman. In the press conference, Adam said that it is evident to anyone who opens their eyes that we are amidst a climate crisis in this city and worldwide. Hence, it’s time to think outside the box and determine how to address the crisis before it’s too late. Adam reiterated that bringing the full force of skills and foresight to congeal today’s infrastructure and ready for tomorrow’s highlighted the administration’s deep dedication to making New York City a more livable place for generations to come.

According to his bio, Aggarwala has led the formation of the Mayor’s Office of Long-Term Planning and Sustainability under the guidance of previous Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg. He launched the environmental grantmaking program at Bloomberg Philanthropies and worked as the President of the Board of Directors of C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group. Aggarwala was also part of the founding team at Google’s urban technology startup, Sidewalk Labs, and was a senior urban technology fellow at the Jacobs Cornell-Technion Institute. He has supplied advice and service to several foundations and impact investment funds and chaired the Regional Plan Association’s Fourth Regional Plan for the New York region. Aggarwala holds a Ph.D., MBA, and BA from Columbia University and an MA from Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario. Indian American Assemblywoman Jenifer Rajkumar said that the Mayor is already venturing the greatest crises in NYC and the world.