Priyanka is a seasoned sustainability professional with over a decade of experience driving sustainable education and integrating environmental strategies into businesses across the UAE and Canada. She specializes in advisory and strategy development, helping businesses, schools, and organizations align with global sustainability goals and environmental best practices.
Key Expertise & Accomplishments:
Strategic Planning, Carbon Management Implementation, and Impact Monitoring
Led sustainability action plans for over 35 facilities in U.A.E and Canada including GHG inventories, energy reduction initiatives, waste diversion, green procurement, and the DubaiCan drinking water management program. (See projects under the project page). In U.A.E, She introduced energy and water benchmarking, waste diversion programs, and water conservation initiatives for her clients. She managed GHG accounting, ESG KPIs, and SBTi-aligned impact tracking. At Concordia University, she supported carbon accounting and sustainability policy development.
Introduced sustainable low-water garden solutions to promote water-efficient landscaping in UAE through Raise more greens initiative and her work at Blossom nurseries and Inspire me Cuisine.
Team Building
Priyanka champions team-driven sustainability. At Blossom Nursery, she guided the shift to eco-friendly operations, including sustainable construction, low-carbon furniture, and eco-conscious materials, alongside internal guidelines for sustainable events and refurbishments.
Research and Grant Management
Co-led program curriculum development for graduate students (Masters, PhD), submitted grant and reporting applications, led student training management (~84 students over 5 years) and administrative tasks relating to the Collaborative Research and Training Experience Program (CREATE) grant of approximately 1.64 million dollars under the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada. As a CAEPA board advisor, she supported climate adaptation grants focused on water conservation, gender based intervention and sustainable livelihoods.
Stakeholder Engagement and education
Priyanka has led carbon reduction sessions for over 400 Blossom Nursery staff and driven CSR initiatives, including beach cleanups, mangrove restoration, and fundraising for disaster relief. At Concordia, she developed sustainability education campaigns in her role as Education and engagement Coordinator (Sustainable Concordia) for Concordia University that promote awareness on sustainable initiatives (composting, water and waste reduction strategies, sustainable transportation options, and sustainable building operations) at the University for 40,000 students and staff members. Coordinated with partners and volunteers (86) across campus and in the community.
Curriculum development for sustainability
Priyanka has extensive experience in developing sustainability-focused curricula across all educational levels—from early years to schools and universities. Her work spans institutions such as the Concordia Institute for Water, Energy, and Sustainable Systems, McGill university and Blossom Nursery and is now working with other schools in UAE. She has designed comprehensive educational frameworks that outline learning modules, intended outcomes, pedagogical approaches, and hands-on activities aimed at fostering behavioural shifts and equipping both educators and students with the knowledge and tools to lead sustainable change. Additionally, Priyanka has developed long-term programs for researchers and student sustainability champions, offering structured training and volunteer opportunities that deepen understanding of urgent sustainability issues and promote local-level solutions
For more on Priyanka’s work and additional experience, visit her LinkedIn profile.
Beyond her corporate experience, Priyanka is passionate about climate and environmental education. Holding a degree from McGill University, she has honed her expertise in environmental studies and sustainable practices. She designs and conducts interactive workshops for all age groups on:
GESS workshops and seminars: She has organized seminars and workshops on topics relating to knowledge gaps, best practices for sustainability and student workshops at GESS, Dubai in 2023 and 2024. Her workshop 'Recognizing our emotions and their role as drivers for meaningful positive climate action ' at GESS 2024 focused on supporting students from Jebel Ali School and The Indian Academy to understand their thoughts and emotions on Climate Change, through activities and group discussions. The workshop explored the climate change actions/solutions they can undertake under various roles such as citizens, consumers, role models and student/researchers and the importance of long-term commitment.
Climate change workshops: She also organizes Climate Fresk workshops focusing on the causes and effects of climate change, equipping participants with a deeper understanding of environmental challenges.
SDG course curriculum integration: Course modules design for children (early years to Grade 12) and special trainings for teachers and managers (facilities, operations, finance, logistics and supply management). She offers services in developing age based education frameworks based on local U.A.E priorities and the United Nation Sustainable development goals for nurseries (early years), schools and universities. Frameworks developed will focus on details such as subject topics, learning outcomes, assessment methodology and pedagogies for various age groups.
Corporate training: Provided trainings to 650 staff, top management teams on key sustainability topics and strategies.
Campaigns: Organized beach and mangrove ups in U.A.E. Designed fundraising programs. Organized Sustainable awards ceremony.
Her experience, strategic approach, and dedication to sustainability education make her a valuable resource for businesses and communities striving for meaningful environmental impact.
Gardens by Priyanka in UAE
Panel session at GESS 2024
Climate change workshops
GESS 2023 Panel session: Sustainability in early years and school setting
Dubai Beach Clean up
Led Sustainability Ambassadors volunteer program at Concordia for campaigns and events
Recognition awards and Sustainable champions ceremony in UAE for Blossom Nurseries
Zayed University Mentorship program
GESS 2024 talk Aligning Sustainable development goals and UAE’s COP28 priorities in Education: Challenges and opportunities