Nitin Chaudhary works with Earth system science and ecosystem-climate interactions, focusing on carbon cycle dynamics, peatlands, model-based analysis and environmental change.

Chaudhary's research at Stockholm Resilience Centre focuses on systemic environmental risk and planetary boundaries, with an emphasis on translating Earth system science into decision-relevant tools for organizations and other actors. In this work, he employs the dynamic global vegetation model LPJmL to quantify how climate, land use and hydrology pressures interact across sub-global regions and ecosystem types. His current work contributes to updated Earth System Impact (ESI) metrics designed to connect local environmental pressures with planetary-scale impacts. The approach combines LPJmL-based estimates of interaction strengths with sub-global boundaries derived from the planetary boundary and safe-and-just Earth system frameworks. This makes it possible to calculate amplification factors showing how local pressures such as deforestation or water use are magnified through Earth system feedbacks. The overall aim is to provide a transparent and scientifically grounded tool that helps organizations assess impacts in relation to Earth system stability and supports more meaningful sustainability planning and target-setting.

Chaudhary is an Earth system scientist with a PhD and postdoctoral training in ecosystem modelling, climate-carbon feedbacks and peatland-permafrost processes. He has developed and applied dynamic global vegetation (LPJ-GUESS, LPJmL) and Earth system models (RCA-GUESS) to study peatland carbon accumulation, methane emissions, permafrost dynamics and hydrology across different timescales. His work spans Arctic, boreal, temperate and tropical systems and combines process-based modelling with environmental data, geospatial analysis, programming and eddy-covariance flux analysis. He also uses machine-learning approaches to detect patterns in ecosystem carbon exchange and link flux observations with environmental drivers.

Alongside research, he has taught and supervised students and contributed to interdisciplinary work in climate science, resilience and sustainability. His research is closely linked to practice, policy and international scientific networks, addressing issues such as peatland carbon storage, methane emissions, wildfire risk and Earth system change, with relevance for climate mitigation, adaptation and sustainability assessment.

His previous interdisciplinary work in India on community forestry, climate adaptation and energy awareness strengthened his practical understanding of environmental challenges and societal engagement.

His work ranges from site-based carbon flux studies to regional and global Earth system modelling, with a broader interest in resilience, thresholds and sustainable futures. He also values interdisciplinary collaboration, student supervision and clear research communication.

Awards and achievements

• FORMAS Early-Career Grant (2020, PI): Awarded SEK 3 million to lead research on peatland-mediated feedbacks across the pan-Arctic.
• Crafoord Stiftelsen Grant (2021, PI): Awarded SEK 0.3 million to advance research on climatic responses to peatland-mediated feedbacks.
• Co-PI roles in emerging research areas(2024- ongoing): Serving as Co-PI/collaborative lead in developing research on wildfire resilience and peat fire science and in tropical peatland studies.
• Marie Skłodowska-Curie Seal of Excellence (2024): Received the Seal of Excellence for the TROPICAL-PEAT proposal, recognizing the high quality of my proposed research on tropical peatland processes and climate feedbacks.
• Major model development achievement: Developed the LPJ-GUESS peatland framework including dynamic multilayer peat accumulation and permafrost processes
• RCA-GUESS contribution: Extended my peatland research beyond stand-alone ecosystem modelling by helping transfer peatland and methane-related process understanding into the RCA-GUESS regional Earth system framework
• CryoGrid and community-model contributions: Contributed peat accumulation and biogeochemical process development
• Erasmus Mundus Scholarship (2009–2011): Prestigious international scholarship for master’s studies at Lund University
• Scientific service and peer recognition: Served as Guest Editor for a special issue in Atmosphere and Water and reviewed manuscripts for journals including Global Change Biology, Biogeosciences, Global Ecology and Biogeography
• International recognition and leadership: Organized and chaired peatland sessions at EGU 2024 and EGU 2025 and tipping point IMPACT workshop 2026
• Travel grants and fellowships: Received around SEK 90,000 in travel support from multiple international and university sources