About me
Funda Gacal
Sustainable Sourcing Consultant in Southeast Asia
With over 13 years of experience in climate change, pollution, and environmental health, I hold an MS in Environmental Sciences and a BS in Urban Planning. My career began with geography-based analyses in the Amazon rainforest and expanded through roles at global research institutions and startups, including WWF (Bolivia and Turkey), HEAL (Brussels), RIFS (Potsdam, Germany), and GEM (California, USA). LinkedIn
In December 2024, while traveling through Asia, I discovered my true passion: integrating human stories, economy, and ecology through sustainable sourcing in Southeast Asia. In Thailand, I met artisans transforming precious metals—often criticized for carbon-heavy mining—into sustainable livelihoods, helping families avoid the opium trade. In Indonesia, I observed fishermen striving to produce fish oil and seaweed sustainably, seeking scientific support to identify ocean areas free from harmful chemicals. These experiences inspired me to focus on sustainable supply chains in Thailand and Indonesia, ensuring ethical and traceable sourcing.
Now, I assist brands in crafting eco-conscious narratives, developing low-carbon supply chains, and building genuinely sustainable futures. Whether sourcing natural raw materials, finished products with natural ingredients, or authentic Asian artisan handicrafts, I apply science-backed strategies to transform supply chains. If you’re ready to embrace sustainable sourcing from Southeast Asia, let’s collaborate to make markets greener together.
Sincerely, with love from Bali and Bangkok.
Move beyond traditional sustainability through a science-backed, deeper understanding
Explore the "services" section to see how we can collaborate.
With over a decade of expertise in climate change and environmental health, I’m now channeling my scientific background to empower startups and businesses like yours.
As I transition to the private sector, I blend local values with my global experience to help your brand grow sustainably, making a real impact while staying true to your vision. Below are highlights of my research, projects, and public appearances that bring this expertise to life.
Climate Trainings and Projects
Chronic Coal Pollution Research (HEAL, 2020–2023)
CCP is a 4 years research project that reveals the air pollutant emissions such as PM10, PM2,5, SOx and NO2 from 29+ individual coal power plants in Turkey for the first time. CCP is also acted as the strategic research of HEAL during my 7 years of lead the country strategy. CCP investigates the health burden and health economic costs. I led the project from start to finish, reveal a dataset for each plant considering current status and future projections.
WHO AirQ+ Software Training (2022, 2017)
In collaboration with WHO European Centre for Environment and Health in Bonn, organized a series of trainings designed for health experts working on climate change and environmental health. Later adopted the trainings in Turkey. Reached out to 250+ clinicans (25+ face to face, others online). These trainings led to new researches by health experts such as a 2021 report.
About the Software | Face to Face Training
CISIP-Health and Climate Collaboration (2020–2023)
Supervised a European Commission-supported project targeting capacity developments of experts -especially health experts- on climate change. The project created a network of 50 experts and briefings/trainings on subjects such as one health, heatwaves, mental health and Climate Change, and the Health Sector’s Awareness and Engagement on Climate.
Unmask My City Campaign (HEAL, 2017)
Led an international campaign with the Global Climate and Health Alliance (GCHA), Health Care Without Harm, and other health alliances to raise awareness of air pollution impacts.
Public Appearances
TV Panel: CNN International, Climate Change Panel (November 2023)
Discussed the health benefits of a 2030 coal phase-out based on the “Curing Chronic Coal” report.
Interviews: BBC World Service, Air Pollution and Health (March 2022), The Lancet (December, 2018)
Shared insights on the external cost of climate change and fossil fuel based energy production.
TV Panel: TRT World, COP23 Side Event (November 2017)
Joined a panel on climate policy and health co-benefits, representing HEAL.
Selected publications
Curing Chronic Coal Pollution: The Health Benefits of a 2030 Coal Phase Out
Published in 2022, conducted a co-benefit analysis of economic costs and health improvements resulting from air pollution reduction under a 2030 coal phase-out policy.
Technical analysis in collaboration with Rosa Gierens and Lauri Myllyvirta (CREA-Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air)
Chronic Coal Pollution: The Health Burden Caused By Coal Power
Published in 2021, assessed air pollution and associated health cost from coal power plants.
Co-authored with Anne Stauffer, technical analysis in collaboration with by Lauri Myllyvyrta and Rosa Gierens, edited by Elke Zander and Genon K. Jensen.
Read the report I Visit the website I Further information on cumulative effects (2022 research)
Improving People’s Health And Unburdening The Health System Through Renewable Energy in Turkey
Published in 2020, in collaboration with RIFS-Potsdam and IPC. Investigated renewable energy’s health and systemic benefits in Turkey.
Co-authored with Nadim K Copty, Çiğdem Çağlayan, Irem Daloğlu, Ali Kerem Saysel, Derya Aydın Sarikurt, and Buse Yetişti from Bogazici University. Edited by Mara Gomez, Pınar Ertör, David Jacobs, Sebastian Helgenberger, and Laura Nagel.
Fossil Fuel Subsidies and Health
Published in 2018. Investigated the economic and health costs of environmental pollution in Europe. Estimated €700 billion annual cost to Europe’s economy from pollution-related healthcare, lost productivity, and 400,000 premature deaths.
The report was led by Génon K. Jensen and Vijoleta Gordeljevic with technical reviews by Devin D’Angelo (IMF) and researchers from the Global Subsidies Initiative (GSI)/IISD. The report is co-edited, and Turkey’s chapter is authored by Funda Gacal.
Turkey’s Low Carbon Development Pathways and Priorities
Published in November 2016 in collaboration with WWF-Turkey and Istanbul Policy Center. Outlined low-carbon development strategies for Turkey.
Co-authored with Ümit Şahin, Erinç Yeldan, Ebru Voyvoda, and Mustafa Özgür Berke.
Local Effects of Climate Change
Published in 2015 in collaboration with WWF and TEMA Foundation. Co-authored with Musa Çopur and Selin Peker.
Investigated the local impacts of climate change across Turkey’s diverse regions, focusing on environmental and socio-economic effects. Highlighted increased risks of drought, desertification, and extreme weather events.
