Avipsa Mahapatra

Avipsa Mahapatra serves as the Climate Campaign Director at the Environmental Investigation Agency US, a nonprofit organization focused on investigating and exposing environmental crimes and abuses worldwide. Based in Washington, D.C., Mahapatra brings more than 15 years of experience in climate science, cooling technology, natural resources management, and public policy to her role. Her work centers on advancing the global phasedown of hydrofluorocarbons, greenhouse gases commonly used in refrigeration and air conditioning that significantly contribute to climate change.

At the Environmental Investigation Agency, Mahapatra oversees investigative, technical, and policy initiatives aimed at systemic change in climate policy. She played a key role in the global adoption of the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol, an international agreement projected to avoid substantial global warming. Mahapatra has led investigations into the illicit trade of fluorinated chemicals and has been featured in Washington Post, New York Times, Guardian, BBC, and Grist. Her investigative report, "Leaking Havoc: Exposing Your Supermarket's Invisible Climate Pollution," highlighted greenhouse gas emissions from major U.S. supermarket chains. Mahapatra also contributed to the India-U.S. bilateral task force on hydrofluorocarbons, supporting international climate diplomacy.

Before joining the Environmental Investigation Agency, Mahapatra worked at World Resources Institute, where she developed frameworks for emissions reporting in emerging economies. She also served as a senior scientist at Development Alternatives in Delhi, leading carbon-reduction and environmental monitoring programs across a network of more than 100 civil society organizations. Mahapatra was an official member of the Indian delegation to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change Conference of the Parties as a youth activist and has collaborated with organizations including Earth Institute New York, WWF Norway, 350.org, and PowerShift. She holds two master's degrees in natural resources management and in climate science and public policy from Columbia University and was a research fellow at Yale University, focusing on sustainable urban development.

Mahapatra is frequently invited to speak at events on climate and cooling issues, including engagements in China and India. Her expertise includes data analysis, investigative research, policy advocacy, and negotiations with United Nations, corporate, and government entities. Mahapatra addresses topics such as hydrofluorocarbon enforcement, the black market in climate super-pollutants, and strategies for reducing global hydrofluorocarbon production, contributing scientific insight to complex environmental challenges.