Prima Madan

Prima Madan leads the work on cooling, energy efficiency, and climate resilience, with a focus on advancing sustainable policies that reduce emissions from air conditioning, refrigeration, and fluorinated gases. With over 19 years of experience, she works to promote energy-efficient buildings, climate-friendly cooling technologies, and strategies to improve resilience to extreme heat. Madan collaborates closely with national, state, and city stakeholders on advancing action for extreme heat and works on strategies at the integration of building resilience to extreme heat and equitable access to cooling. Her work integrates policy advocacy, project implementation, and research, bridging the gap between climate goals and practical solutions. Throughout her career, Madan has led key initiatives, including the development of a national-level fund for energy efficiency. She was also extensively involved in designing innovative financing mechanisms for promoting energy efficiency under India’s National Mission for Enhanced Energy Efficiency. She began her career at the Energy and Resources Institute, where she contributed to the Fourth Assessment Synthesis Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Madan holds a bachelor's degree with honors in economics from Hansraj College, Delhi University, and a master of science degree in economics from the University of Nottingham, UK. She is based in NRDC's Washington, D.C., office.