Dr Abha Sood

Senior Research Fellow

Background

Dr Sood is a highly experienced climate and renewable energy scientist with 27 years of expertise in wind modelling, climate change adaptation, and environmental research. Holding a BSc (Hons) in Environmental Science (Canada) and a PhD in Theoretical Physics (Germany). She combines strong analytical skills in data analysis, mathematical modelling, and ecology with deep practical knowledge of climate systems and renewable energy solutions.

From 2008–2024, she was a key member of NIWA ’s Regional Climate Modelling Team, leading it from 2020–2024. Under her guidance, the team produced nationally significant climate projections for New Zealand, widely used by researchers, government agencies, including the Ministry for the Environment (MfE), and regional councils to inform policy and climate resilience strategies.

Her expertise spans dynamical climate modelling at all scales – from micro-level processes (e.g., wind energy modelling, cloud dynamics at 1mm resolution) to global climate systems (~1000km scale). A pioneer in her field, she has developed innovative methods to deliver high-resolution, actionable climate data tailored to stakeholders' needs, ensuring reliability and usability for decision-making in climate adaptation and renewable energy planning.

Research

In her role as a Senior Research Fellow at the Centre for Sustainability Research, she serves as a climate advisor for two flagship MBIE Endeavour Research Programs

• Carbon in trees (led by Manaaki Whenua) – Integrating trees into rural landscapes to achieve zero-carbon goals while enhancing economic and ecological value
• Future-proofing groundwater systems (led by GNS) – Developing resilient groundwater management strategies in a changing climate

Additionally, she collaborates with colleagues at the Centre for Sustainability Research to develop new research proposals at the intersection of climate action and renewable energy innovation.