Profile

Claudio Parra

Co-Founder of gaia-liNc e.V. 

Bremen, Germany

cparra@gaialinc.org

Areas of knowledge: 

  • Environmental Policy & Regulation 
  • Life Cycle Assessment

Education

B.Sc. Biology, Diploma Environmental Engineering, Master in Environmental Management, Certificate in Business Administration and M.Sc. Sustainable Resource Management.

Areas of expertise:

For over a decade I have developed my work experience in Chile, Germany and Colombia, in the fields of environmental consultancy, environmental compliance, as well as addressing issues involving industries related to generation and emission of greenhouse gases (GHG) and lately, in voluntary sustainable standards (VSS, i.e. Fairtrade, Rainforest Alliance, etc.) in agricultural production. I have also worked dealing with FQD (Fuel Quality Directive (EU) 2015/1513), upstream emission reduction (UER), Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) of the Kyoto Protocol and Art 6 of the Paris Agreement. Moreover, within the framework of Environmental and Social Management Systems following World Bank and IFC Standards, I have experience in the implementation of Due Diligence for renewable energy (PV) projects that seek financing following the IFC Environmental Performance Standards.

Background

Initially as Project Manager and later as Environmental and Compliance Field Manager, I’ve worked in the development and administration of multidisciplinary teams. With proven experience directing Environmental Impact Studies (EIA), Environmental Impact Statements (EIS), Letters of Relevance, Strategic Advisory and Strategic Business Planning, focusing in project management, contract administration, technical counterpart, and development of technical areas. I have also developed my career addressing Monitoring, Reporting and Verification (MRV), for the preparation of application guidelines, regarding GHG emissions. Also, supporting technical documents for auditing and verification of GHG and energy efficiency in Europe. And, finally, helped in the creation of a MAAP Tool Evaluation and development of a new checklist for sustainability and SDG goals dimension. 

An interesting fact about you:

From June 2020, I am working in wpd Europe GmbH (Multinational in the renewable energies sector) as Senior Environmental and Social Specialist. The main tasks are creating, developing and running the Environmental and Social Management System, including the environmental policy of the company, while leading the sustainable strategies within the holding.

What draws you to your work and to gaia-liNc? 

It fascinates me to focus on sustainable production, the conservation of ecosystems and ecosystem services, linking productivity with the care of the natural heritage, altogether with improving the livelihood of the related human communities. I want to be a factor and create an effective awareness about the sustainable use of resources while protecting the environment, including the business perspective. Cause, you know, there is no planet B!.