Scaling nature-based solutions for climate resilient infrastructure

Project:  Evaluating the role of peatlands in the Scottish voluntary carbon market to address woodland project inefficiencies: an analysis of barriers and recommendations to stimulate demand- and supply-side participation
Role: Former MSc Candidate 2024
Affiliation: School of Geography and Sustainable Development, University of St Andrews
ORCID ID: N/A
Email:  tkugathasan17@gmail.com

Keen to deepen my understanding of sustainability challenges, he pursued an MSc in Sustainable Development at the University of St Andrews. Under the supervision of Dr Thorn, he wrote his dissertation on the current pitfalls in Scotland’s voluntary carbon market focussing on woodland, and how these could be alleviated by utilising Scotland’s abundant peatland credits.

He conducted interviews on both the demand and supply sides to identify the barriers to this approach, which was an under-researched area at the time. This work has significantly informed his current role as a Sustainability and ESG consultant. In this position, he works across service lines—spanning assurance, advisory, strategy, supply chain, and sustainable finance. Tanu studied a BSc Economics at the University of Exeter and gained work experience with BNY Mellon, EY, and MUFG.

He spent three years at KPMG London in audit, where he worked on the financial audits of FTSE-listed corporates and earned both his Graduate Diploma in Accounting and ACA qualification. It was during this time that he developed a strong interest in sustainability, working on sustainability regulations and assisting the head partner for decarbonisation with ESG consulting.