Mr. Richard N. Bright
CEO- Carbon Registry-India
Email – richard@nccf.in
Richard is a climate and carbon-market professional with over two decades of leadership experience spanning technology, digital transformation, sustainability, carbon markets and market infrastructure. As CEO of Carbon Registry–India (CR-I) at the Network for Certification and Conservation of Forests (NCCF), he works at the intersection of carbon-market development, standards, digital MRV, certification and the evolving regulatory landscape for climate action.
Since joining NCCF in 2019, Richard has been closely involved in the development of carbon-market and climate-related systems and initiatives, with a focus on building credible, transparent and technology-enabled frameworks for measuring, reporting, verifying and transacting climate outcomes. His work brings together his experience in technology with a deepening specialization in carbon markets, climate policy, sustainability standards and emissions accounting.
Prior to NCCF, Richard was Director at Teleperformance (Digital Integrated Business Services), where he led global software and technology service delivery across nine countries. Earlier in his career, he held leadership positions with Intelenet Global Services, Serco, Kuoni Travel, Business Travel International and SITA-Western Union, building extensive experience in technology operations, software development, digital transformation, governance and enterprise technology.
Richard holds a Master’s degree in Computer Applications and has professional qualifications and training spanning project management, IT service management, information security, data analytics, robotics and automation, ISO management systems, GHG accounting and Life Cycle Assessment. He has been trained LA in ISO 14064, ISO 27001, ISO 9001 and related governance, risk and compliance frameworks.
His distinctive strength lies in combining technology, climate science, carbon accounting, standards and market mechanisms to develop practical systems for the emerging climate economy. His areas of work and expertise include carbon markets, carbon registries, MRV and digital MRV (DMRV), GHG accounting, climate-change mitigation and adaptation, sustainability standards, Article 6, carbon-market policy and regulatory frameworks, and technology-enabled climate infrastructure.
Richard is particularly focused on the development of robust and scalable climate-market infrastructure that can improve the integrity, transparency and accessibility of carbon markets and support India’s transition towards a low-carbon economy.
He publishes independent, primary-sourced analysis of India’s carbon market at “Carbon Market India.“
Ms. Abhilasha Guleria
Assistant Director
Email – abhilasha.guleria@nccf.in
Ms. Abhilasha Guleria brings nearly a decade of experience in the forestry sector, with a focus on forestry projects and conducting Due Diligence audits for wood-based industries in accordance with international timber regulations. She holds a degree in Forestry and Wood Science & Technology from the Forest Research Institute and has been a part of NCCF for the past five years.
At NCCF, Ms. Guleria is responsible for overseeing operational tasks and supporting the marketing efforts for the PEFC Endorsed Forest Management (FM) and Tree Outside Forests (ToF) certification schemes. She also manages the PEFC Chain of Custody (CoC) certification programs, which are relevant to industries such as furniture, rubber, paper, and textiles, ensuring alignment with PEFC policies.
Beyond her primary responsibilities, she works closely with Certification Bodies, coordinates the accreditation process, and supports the review and revision of PEFC-endorsed schemes, including their international recognition and client interactions. As a subject matter expert, she actively contributes to capacity-building initiatives, helping stakeholders enhance their understanding and expertise in the field.
Ms. Guleria has also been involved in the development of various certification schemes led by NCCF, including Quality Planting Material (QPM), Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFP), Safe-boards, Ecotourism, and the Protected Areas and Wetlands (PAWS) initiative.
Her work has extended to several projects awarded to NCCF, such as the ICFRE’s Agroforestry Policy Research Project, the ICFRE’s Popularization of Wood and Wood-Based Products Project, and the USAID-funded Trees Outside Forests in India (ToFI) project. Through her contributions, she has helped strengthen NCCF’s role in multi-stakeholder engagement and policy dialogue concerning natural resource management
Ms. Ananya Sharma
Project Associate (Program Officer)
Email – ananya@nccf.in
Ananya Sharma holds a Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Forestry and a Master’s degree in Forestry with a specialization in Agroforestry, both from Dr. Y S Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Solan, HP. Her academic background equips her with a strong foundation in sustainable forest management and innovative agroforestry practices. Ananya’s expertise lies in integrating agricultural and forestry systems to enhance environmental and economic outcomes.
Mr. Shivam Sharma
Accounts
Email – accounts@nccf.in
Mr. Sharma is a key resource person for NCCF’s Finance and Accounts department and works as the Account Executive at NCCF. He holds an MBA degree in Finance from Amity University, Noida, and a BBA degree in Banking & Finance from Sharda University, Greater Noida. His primary responsibilities include overseeing the financial matters related to USAID TOFI Projects, Training and CBs.
Ms. Jyoti Papola
Project Associate (Program Officer)
Email – jyoti@nccf.in
Jyoti Papola holds a B.Sc. (Hons.) in Forestry and a Master’s degree in Wood Science and Technology from the Forest Research Institute (FRI), Dehradun. She has submitted her Ph.D. in Wood Science and Technology specialization in Wood Preservation at the ICFRE–Institute of Wood Science and Technology (IWST), Bengaluru. She had worked with the Chhattisgarh Forest Department on the project entitled “Assessment and Availability of Timber for the State of Chhattisgarh.” She has published peer-reviewed research papers in reputed national and international journals, authored technical articles, and has presented her research at both national and international conferences. She has also served as a reviewer for NAAS-rated journals.
Mr. Prashant Trivedi
Intern (Carbon Registry)
Prashant is currently working as a Carbon Market Research Intern at Carbon Registry India, where he supports research on carbon market standards and methodologies. He has an academic background in Climate Change and Sustainability, with a working knowledge of R Studio, SimaPro, and QGIS/ArcGIS for data analysis and mapping. He is keen to build a career at the intersection of carbon markets and ESG, where climate data and research can support more informed and responsible business decisions.