Graduate Student Mentor, Environmental Frontiers
Hasnain Akram is an energy and climate policy professional working at the intersection of industrial decarbonization, clean energy transition, sustainable economic development, ESG, and climate resilience. He is currently pursuing a Master of Public Policy at the University of Chicago with a specialization in Energy and Environmental Policy.
His work focuses on environmental research, carbon accounting, climate risk assessment, and evidence-based policy design to support climate mitigation, resilience-building, and sustainable development in vulnerable communities and businesses. Prior to joining the University of Chicago, he worked with the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority (SMEDA), where he led climate-focused initiatives including the development of a Climate Change Vulnerability Index for SMEs and a national project aimed at quantifying and reducing the carbon footprint of manufacturing SMEs in Pakistan. His work supported evidence-based environmental policymaking through climate vulnerability assessments, carbon accounting, emissions quantification, and enabling Small and Medium Enterprises to strengthen environmental compliance and sustainability practices.
Hasnain has also worked with the Prime Minister Office of Pakistan, the International Trade Centre, and the Islamabad Policy Research Institute on projects related to national security, energy policy, economic reforms, and sustainable development.
At the University of Chicago, he is serving as Vice President of the Harris Energy and Environmental Association and is actively involved in sustainability-focused student initiatives. His broader interests include climate policy, energy system transformation, ESG analysis and integration, and advocating for environmental justice for vulnerable groups.