Bishal Thapa Takes on Global Leadership Role at CLASP

After four years leading CLASP’s India office, Bishal Thapa becomes Chief of Strategy & Impact to drive meaningful climate action and appliance access globally.

“Creating this new role reflects CLASP’s commitment to address some of the world’s most pressing challenges—fighting climate change, advancing clean energy access, and improving resilience for climate-vulnerable communities around the globe. Bishal’s ability to blend strategic thinking with practical execution has been instrumental to our impact in India and beyond. With his leadership, we are positioned to meet the scale of the challenges ahead and I’m very excited to collaborate with him in this new partnership.” –Christine Egan, CEO

Bishal’s impact at CLASP

After successfully leading CLASP’s India office for four years, Bishal Thapa has been promoted to Chief of Strategy and Impact. In this newly created role, he will lead the implementation of CLASP’s strategic plan, drive innovation, and ensure that CLASP’s work is impactful and mission-aligned to mitigate climate change and help communities adapt and thrive.

Under Bishal’s leadership, CLASP’s India office grew from a team of four to 15, which shaped 17 appliance efficiency policies in 2024 alone. Through innovative financing and collaborations with local banks and cooperatives, the team has started advancing solar water pump adoption for smallholder farmers, contributing to more equitable energy solutions.

An economist by trade, Bishal has more than two decades of international experience and a proven track record of designing and implementing complex energy sector projects. His deep understanding of the policy landscape and energy economics in combination with his ability to translate vision into action make him an invaluable asset as CLASP continues to expand our global reach.

Charting the path to 2030

“There is no more room for error on the goal to limit global warming to 1.5°C. I’m eager to support my colleagues as we double down on that target. The energy efficiency of appliances and equipment can drive a large share of the global response on climate, while ensuring access to sustainable solutions for communities. In partnership with other stakeholders, I’m confident that we can secure the pathway to net zero emissions that we absolutely need to limit global warming and create a more sustainable and equitable future.”  –Bishal Thapa

Bishal’s promotion marks an exciting new chapter for CLASP in our 26th year, one that builds on our strengths and sets the stage for even greater achievements. As we welcome Bishal into this new role, we look forward to collaborating with him to solve the world’s most pressing, interconnected crises: the climate emergency, poverty, inequality, and access to energy—for people and the planet.

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