REnvP Profile | Environmental Sustainability Engineer, Alexander Appadurai REnvP

What does an average day look like in your career?

An average day in my role includes audits, investigations, and sustainability work. I conduct environmental audits, investigate incidents, and keep documentation up to date to ensure compliance. I also handle customer product declarations and sustainability requests, analyse energy data, and manage waste disposal to improve efficiency. Additionally, I focus on driving energy-saving initiatives, identifying process improvements, and supporting daily operations to meet environmental and sustainability goals while keeping up with new regulations to help the business stay ahead of compliance requirements.

How did you get to where you are now?

I moved from India to the UK in 2020 to pursue an MSc in Aerospace Engineering. I arrived just a month before the COVID-19 pandemic, which made it challenging to balance part-time work, classes, and personal life. Despite the difficulties, I graduated with distinction in 2021.

After graduating, I spent several months job hunting before securing a role at Tesla Engineering Ltd. in 2022, where I was introduced to environmental and sustainability practices. Most of my experience in this field has come from working at Tesla, where I focused on ISO 14001, energy assessments, data management, environmental legislation, sustainability reporting, and ESG frameworks.

To build on my expertise, I completed a Net Zero Consultant Certification in 2024, where I gained hands-on experience in net zero strategies and climate action planning. Participating in the Climatebase Fellowship expanded my knowledge of circular economy principles and corporate sustainability, further strengthening my ability to drive meaningful environmental initiatives.

In November 2024, I also achieved Registered Environmental Practitioner (REnvP) status and Practitioner Membership of IEMA (PIEMA), further solidifying my professional credentials in the field.

In what way does your role consider and protect the environment?

My role is to actively protect the environment by preventing environmental accidents/spills and hazardous substance releases and reducing emissions while also promoting biodiversity conservation. I implement control measures to minimise risks and ensure proper handling, storage, and disposal of hazardous materials. I also drive carbon reduction initiatives, optimise energy use, and promote sustainable waste management.

Additionally, I support efforts to preserve biodiversity by minimising habitat disruption and integrating environmentally responsible practices. Through regular monitoring and proactive risk mitigation, I help create a safer, more sustainable workplace while reducing environmental impact.

How has your focus on environmental impacts changed over the course of your career?

Over time, my focus on environmental impact has shifted from just meeting regulations to driving real change. Early on, I was mainly focused on compliance. Still, as I gained experience, I started using data insights to go beyond that—helping businesses cut emissions, improve sustainability, and make smarter environmental decisions.

Now, I focus on influencing teams, driving behavioural change, and integrating evolving regulations, like the upcoming Simpler Recycling, with a stronger emphasis on circularity, into everyday operations to create a lasting impact.

What are the top three key knowledge areas that are crucial to your role?

The three key areas crucial to my role are environmental legislation and standards (like ISO 14001 and ESG regulations), data management and sustainability reporting (tracking carbon emissions, energy use, and compliance with SECR and ESOS), and stakeholder engagement (collaborating across teams to drive real environmental impact).

What part of your job do you find the most exciting?

I genuinely enjoy working on energy data analysis because I’ve always been drawn to numbers and their insights. At the same time, I find new environmental legislation and regulations exciting because they’re constantly evolving, challenging me to stay updated and adapt to changing requirements.

What excites me most is using data-driven insights to help businesses remain compliant, improve efficiency, and drive sustainability initiatives that make a real impact. I also love working with people, collaborating with varying teams, sharing knowledge, and finding solutions, making the work even more rewarding.

What are your 3 top tips for those applying for REnvP?

If you’re unsure where to start, connect with professionals who have been through the process, including me! I’m happy to share insights and guidance.

Leverage cross-functional domain experience to bridge competency gaps and quantify your impact, whether reducing waste by 10%, improving compliance rates by 15%, or leading a project that cut emissions by 20%.

Be yourself, highlight your strengths, and showcase measurable results demonstrating your actual contribution.

Why would you encourage others in your sector to aspire to become a REnvP?

Becoming a Registered Environmental Practitioner (REnvP) validates your expertise, connects you with like-minded professionals, and gives you valuable resources to excel in this field. Through this journey, I even secured a volunteering opportunity as a peer review assessor, helping develop green skills and support sustainability efforts.