Meet Umer Chaudhry, Senior Sustainability Specialist at thinkstep-anz.
He is an LCA expert with an PhD in chemical engineering and experience on complex sustainability projects. Outside of work, you’ll often find him exploring Melbourne’s food scene or hanging out with his kids. His mission: helping businesses turn sustainability goals into real progress.
Left: Umer enjoying his favourite meal - Korean barbeque! | Right: Shaping a Bonsai plant
What attracted you to thinkstep-anz?
I was inspired by the company’s mission: ‘enabling organisations to succeed sustainably’. The world is facing serious climate change challenges, and organisations need to be prepared to tackle them. I believe the thinkstep-anz team brings together scientists, engineers and environmental specialists with the skills to tackle complex climate change issues and translate them into actionable steps.
What are your most memorable work experiences?
During my PhD, I pioneered a technology for converting waste materials into biofuels. This groundbreaking research – the first of its kind in Australia – laid the foundation for numerous waste-to-fuel projects across Australia and New Zealand. It was this project that ignited my passion for sustainability and LCA, and opened doors for me to expand my skills in the field.
Left: Umer on a safari in South Africa | Right: Presenting at the ALCANZ conference on the Gold Coast in Australia, 2025
What does sustainability mean to you?
Sustainability is not just a profession for me; it’s a personal mission. I was born in Pakistan, a country that contributes less than 1% of total global emissions yet is disproportionately affected by the impacts of climate change. This stark reality fuels my dedication to sustainability, as I believe we must act now to protect our future.
What do you enjoy doing when you’re not working?
I’m the father of two beautiful daughters and love spending time with them. I also enjoy cooking and trying cuisines from around the world. Melbourne is such a diverse city, so I take every chance to experience different cultural events and food.