Environmental Engineer Interview

If something can’t be measured, it can’t be improved. Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) becomes crucial in this regard

Abhishek Dattu Narote, our next pathbreaker, currently works with the Agriculture Department at the University of Milan (Italy), where he conducts EIAs using LCA (Life Cycle Assessment) in order to analyze the environmental impact of various food production processes for industries and related activities.

Abhishek talks to Shyam Krishnamurthy from The Interview Portal about being drawn towards climate change mitigation technologies and opting for a master’s degree in Environmental & Land planning Engineering from Politecnico di Milano (PoliMi), Italy.

For students, there are not many careers that have the potential to shape the next generation of societies based on a sustainable world, and Environmental Engineering is one of them

Abhishek, tell us what were your early years like?

I am a Kannadiga who grew up in Gulbarga, Karnataka. My father was an electrical engineer and my mother’s a homemaker. In our city, with its urbanization, parks and open fields were scarce. But whenever I visited my relatives in the village during summer holidays, I cherished the openness and the starry night sky. That feeling of completeness stayed with me.

Cut to my bachelor’s degree (2014-2018), when the IT jobs were booming, I opted for civil engineering, which was a direct recommendation from my father. My father had this special aura that made you both respect and maybe even a little scared of him. I couldn’t really say no to him, but honestly, I’m glad I didn’t. I just wanted to make him proud. It then opened the doors to a career in Environmental Engineering, and I am hoping to feel that same sense of completeness as before and also contribute to conserving that environment.

What did you do for graduation/post-graduation?

I completed my bachelor’s in civil engineering from Bangalore Institute of Technology, Bengaluru, followed by a master’s degree in Environmental & Land planning Engineering from Politecnico di Milano (PoliMi), Italy.

Can you share with us some of the key influences that led you to such an offbeat, unconventional, and unique career in Environmental Engineering?

After finishing my civil engineering, I was certain I wanted to pursue a master’s degree. I had two options in mind. One was studying Urban Planning at CEPT University in Ahmedabad. I liked the idea of how urban planners can shape the next generation societies, especially after interning with a French consulting company called Egis International in Sri Lanka during my third year of bachelor’s studies.

Egis International has a planning office in Colombo, where they work on various local government sector enhancement projects across Sri Lanka. They focus on projects such as water supply, sewage plants, and rural area planning.

During my internship, I learned about different aspects of project implementation, including planning, procurement, and social-environmental safeguards followed in the project. Additionally, I received guidance on planning of cities and the execution of urban development projects.

The other option was Environmental and Land Planning Engineering at PoliMi. I chose this program because I realized that the importance of climate technologies was growing every year, and urgent action was needed. Also, PoliMi had excellent faculty, and due to my fond memories of nature, I desired to work closer to it, learning more about it. I started my master’s journey in September of 2019.

Just like a ship needs a lighthouse to show the way, my family has always been there for me, guiding me from afar whenever I’ve needed help. Among them, my friends have been like strong pillars, giving me steady support and guidance. To keep it brief, I’d like to mention their names and express my gratitude for helping me grow. My parents Dattu & Shobha, my sisters Soumya & Ramya, my uncle-aunt Pralhad & Kavita, and my friends Srinidhi & Eshwar.

How did you plan the steps to get into the career you wanted? Or how did you make a transition to a new career? Tell us about your career path.

Environmental and Land Planning Engineering is an interdisciplinary field that combines principles of engineering, environmental science, and land planning to address complex challenges related to sustainable development and environmental protection. I chose the sustainability track focused on courses specifically tailored to addressing issues such as the circular economy, water and food security, understanding climate change and its global impacts, implementing advanced wastewater treatment technologies, and materials for energy and environmental applications.

In the ‘materials for energy & environment course’, the LCA methodology was introduced to us. I found LCA fascinating because it provides substantial information to help make better choices in materials/processes for reducing costs and environmental impact. For my master’s thesis, I applied LCA to study the production process of ‘Cellulose Nanofibers,’ commonly used additives in industries like composites, packaging, textiles, food etc. I conducted a comparative study of one production process adjusting variables to identify the most environmentally friendly nanofibers based on their physical and chemical properties.

Finally, using an eco-design approach, I explored new raw materials (recycled/waste cellulose sources) to achieve similar results compared to conventional cellulose nanofibers sourced from cotton, aiming to further reduce environmental impact.

So, I completed my master’s degree in April 2022. After a few months, I began an internship at a carbon management consultancy in Venice. The firm mainly focuses on estimating the carbon footprint of industries & products. I believe that if something can’t be measured, it can’t be improved. Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) becomes crucial in this regard, and the internship aligned well with my interests. I managed the carbon footprint of organizations, where greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) inventory was developed according to ISO 14064-1 standards. Additionally, for EIA, life cycle assessment (LCA) is prioritized as a proven scientific tool based on ISO standards.

Towards the end of this internship, I came across a requirement for a Research Assistant position at the University of Milan in the Food & Nutrition sector focusing on LCA . Although it was a random encounter, I was immediately interested. The role involved assessing the environmental impact of various foods and packaging items. I believe that this is important, especially considering the growing number of conscious consumers who lack information for making informed decisions. After the internship, I stayed in touch with the university team and eventually joined them as an LCA specialist.

How did you get your first break?

My first break was the internship at Aequilibria which came after many other interviews. It took roughly around 3 months. They say that your first job is often the hardest to get, and the second one comes more easily. When applying for any job, besides having the right skills and interests, timing is crucial. Your application needs to match the company’s needs and the availability of the hiring manager. This requires perseverance and patience.

What were some of the challenges you faced? How did you address them?

One practical challenge in EIA is ensuring the availability and quality of relevant data. It is mainly due to factors like incomplete records, lack of standardized monitoring protocols, and limited accessibility to certain areas or information.

Also, effective stakeholder engagement is crucial in EIA processes, but it can also be challenging to manage conflicting interests and expectations. Balancing stakeholder’s interests while ensuring transparency, fairness, and meaningful participation can be complex, requiring strong communication skills, negotiation strategies, and mechanisms for resolving disputes.

Another challenge lies in the complexity of environmental interactions, and predicting the long-term impacts of proposed projects can be uncertain, especially considering factors like climate change and cumulative impacts. This complexity requires knowledge of sophisticated modelling techniques.

Where do you work now? What problems do you solve?

I currently work with the Agriculture Department at the University of Milan, where our team is involved in multiple National and European food projects. My main role revolves around conducting EIAs using LCA methodology. This involves analyzing the environmental impact of various food production processes for industries and related activities. I utilize my expertise in data analysis, environmental assessment techniques, and collaborative skills to contribute to these projects. Additionally, I actively contribute to our team’s research by writing and reviewing manuscripts for publication in scientific journals.

A typical day for me includes collecting data, running LCA models, interpreting results, and collaborating with colleagues on project objectives.

What I find most rewarding about this job is the opportunity to contribute to sustainable food systems and address environmental challenges through innovative research and analysis.

How does your work benefit society?

In addition to our involvement in national and European projects, we collaborate with food and beverage companies to optimize their processing methods for sustainability. By studying their processes and finding ways to reduce waste, energy use, and environmental impact, we help these companies operate more responsibly. This promotes more eco-friendly practices within the food industry.

Tell us an example of a specific memorable work you did that is very close to you

One project that is close to my heart is when we analysed the impact of a food redistribution hub in Milan. This hub collects surplus food from different wholesalers before it goes bad and gives it to those in need. From an environmental perspective, it’s a win-win situation because it helps reduce food waste while also ensuring that people who don’t have enough to eat can access nutritious food, thus alleviating the burden on food production. Our analysis was also aimed at optimizing the internal flow of food items, logistics and storage operations. Even though there are many non-profit organizations doing similar work in different areas, I believe more of these projects mean more help for everyone.

Your advice to students based on your experience?

I would say, pursue what genuinely interests you and explore different interests until you find your passion. Stay curious, it leads to greater opportunities, and don’t hesitate to seek guidance when needed.

Above all, maintain a positive attitude towards learning.

Future Plans?

I want to keep helping big & small companies choose sustainable options. I also want to raise awareness about eco-friendly choices when people make purchases. And I’ll keep learning and getting better at what I do.