Kirtiman Awasthi is a seasoned climate change and sustainability professional with extensive experience in advancing climate adaptation and resilience. He currently serves as the Project Head for the Indo-German initiative Climate Adaptation, Resilience & Finance in Rural India (CAFRI), where he leads strategic planning, policy advisory, and program management to drive climate action at scale. 

Over the years, he has spearheaded initiatives in climate risk management, disaster risk reduction, climate finance, and sustainable development, working closely with governments, communities, and private sector partners. His leadership has been pivotal in strengthening and operationalizing State Action Plans on Climate Change (SAPCCs), with a strong focus on capacity development, enabling access to national and international climate finance, and mobilizing private sector investment for climate solutions. 

Kirtiman has also contributed to global climate policy dialogues, having engaged in the UNFCCC processes on adaptation, loss and damage, capacity building, and the Durban Platform. His ability to bridge policy, practice, and partnerships has made him a trusted advisor to both national and state-level stakeholders in India. 

Beyond his professional commitments, Kirtiman is an avid biker and traveller, with a deep affinity for mountain landscapes. He holds a master’s degree from Wageningen University, Netherlands, bringing an international perspective to his work in advancing climate resilience.