Intern, Financial Sector research, Science Based Targets Initiative, Yale University

WRI Overview 

World Resources Institute (WRI) is an independent, nonprofit global research organization that turns big ideas into action at the nexus of environment, economic opportunity and human well-being. We are working to address critical challenges that the world must overcome this decade in order to secure a sustainable future for people and the planet: climate change, energy, food, forests, water, sustainable cities, and the ocean. 

Internships at WRI are learning experiences designed for current students, recent graduates, or other candidates who wish to gain knowledge about a specific area of our work. We strive to attract diverse, intellectually-driven candidates who have a passion for sustainability and development. WRI provides many internship opportunities throughout the year in all our programs.  

WRI is committed to advancing gender and social equity for human well-being in our mission and applies this principle to our organizational and programmatic practices.   

Program Overview 

WRI’s work on Science Based Targets is based in the Center for Sustainable Business. Our Center for Sustainable Business works with companies because they can innovate and scale solutions to our toughest challenges. The work is performed primarily through our role in the Science based Targets initiative (SBTi). The SBTi is a collaboration of CDP, World Resources Institute (WRI), the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), and the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC) and one of the We Mean Business Coalition commitments. The initiative mobilizes companies to set science-based target setting as a way to create competitive advantage in the transition to the low-carbon economy. 

The initiative:  

• Showcases companies that set science-based targets through case studies, events and media to highlight the increased innovation, reduced regulatory uncertainty, strengthened investor confidence and improved profitability and competitiveness generated by science-based target setting. 
• Defines and promotes best practice in science-based target setting with the support of a Technical Advisory Group 
• Offers resources, workshops and guidance to reduce barriers to adoption 
• Independently assesses and approves companies’ targets WRI also engages directly with companies to provide advisory services on setting science-based targets. 

Internship Summary 

In this internship, you will be contributing to the Science Based Targets initiative’s new framework that allows financial institutions – including banks, investors, insurance companies, pension funds and others – to set science-based targets to align their lending and investment activities with the Paris Agreement. You will be carrying out independent research and/or manage project on one (or more) of the topics that further explore(s) financial institution’s enabling role for the transition to a low-carbon economy, including impact quantification of financial institutions’ targets on their investment and lending activities, integration of financial institutions’ targets into SBTi’s Monitoring, Reporting, and Verification(MRV) system, or components of a net-zero framework for financial institutions. You will be working with a virtual SBTi financial sector project team that consists of members from the SBTi partner organizations, including WRI, WWF and CDP, as well as the project technical partners.   

The application deadline for this position is Friday, March 12, 2021. 

Learning Outcomes 

The intern will gain experience in the following areas:  

• Independently conduct research and/or manage projects on one (or more) of the potential topics mentioned in the internship summary above. The specific topic(s) will be determined closer to the internship starting date;  
• Integrate research and/or project outcome to the overall SBTi financial sector framework that’s updated on an annual basis;  
• Participate in weekly meetings with the SBTi financial sector project team to provide update on work progress and facilitate discussions to get sign off from all partners on key technical or strategic topics;  
• Support outreach and engagement activities with financial institutions and other relevant stakeholders; support development of linkages with peer initiatives, and other stakeholders;  
• Support the process to revise the pilot version of the financial sector target validation criteria and guidance;   
• Gain understanding of the operations of the Science Based Targets initiative and process to develop target setting and tracking standards for the financial sector  

Internship Qualifications 

• University Sponsored: You must be a graduate student currently enrolled in the Yale School of Environment returning for Fall of 2021. 
• Understanding of the financial sector 
• Strong communication skills, including written and oral communications  
• Strong qualitative and quantitative analytical skills  
• An ability to work in a fast-paced environment and meet deadlines 
• Highly organized and ability to manage multiple projects at the same time 

General Internship Requirements 

• Applicants must have personal health insurance coverage.  
• U.S. work authorization is required for this opportunity. WRI does not sponsor interns for visas. 

Compensation  

• University Sponsored: Students will receive compensation from their university program.   

Duration and Location  

• This is a summer internship with start date options of May 17, June 1, or June 16, 2021, based on the student’s availability and need for the project.   
• This is a remote-based internship with the option to work out of the Washington D.C. office once it reopens.    
• WRI will provide a laptop for the duration of your internship. 

How to Apply 

Applicants must apply through the WRI Careers portal to be considered. The application deadline for this position is Friday, March 12, 2021.  

The World Resources Institute (http://www.wri.org) is an environmental and development research and policy organization that creates solutions to protect the Earth and improve people’s lives. As an Equal Opportunity Employer, it is WRI’s policy to recruit, hire, and provide opportunities for advancement in all job classifications without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, citizenship, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, parental status, protected veteran status, or disability. WRI’s global agenda requires a staff that is diverse – with respect to race, gender, cultural, and international background. Diverse perspectives and experience enhance the way WRI selects and approaches issues, as well as the creativity and applicability of WRI’s policy research and analysis. WRI, therefore, encourages applications from U.S. minorities, persons from other countries (especially developing nations), and from women of all backgrounds.