Research Associate, SBTi Finance Project

Job Summary

In this role, you will have a unique opportunity to support one of WRI’s high impact initiatives to increase the ambition of financial institutions to set targets that lead to GHG emissions reductions in the real economy. You will join a team of highly motivated individuals, from WRI, WWF and CDP, working on science-based target setting for greenhouse gases. You will help lead efforts to refine and expand the SBTi Finance target setting framework and manage projects to develop various new resources.

Examples of potential projects include a developing a standard for financial institutions to set net zero targets on their portfolios, developing guidance on aligning TCFD reporting with climate science and SBTs, developing customized guidance for various segments of the finance sector including private equity firms, banks, asset owners and asset managers and insurance companies, and developing target setting methods and target validation criteria for new asset classes.

This position is remote due to Covid-19, but you will be based at WRI’s office in Washington, DC once restrictions have lifted.

Job Responsibilities

• Lead cutting-edge research projects to advance efforts on portfolio-level SBTs
• Lead development of asset class specific methods and guidance related to Science-Based target setting
• Participate as a part of a team to develop a standard for financial institutions to set net zero targets
• Support in developing communications material related to the research such as case studies, blogs, etc.
• Provide ad-hoc advice and advisory services to financial institutions to support them in developing SBTs
• Represent the SBTi externally and at conferences, events, etc
• Deliver training on SBTs to internal WRI, CDP and WWF staff and external stakeholders

Job Qualifications

• Master’s Degree in relevant field such as Environmental Sciences, Finance, Business, Environmental or Energy Economics, Environmental Policy, Environmental or Chemical Engineering
• Minimum of 5 years of full-time work experience with at least 3 years working in the financial sector
• Work experience related to ESG investing 
• Experience communicating with bank executives and other senior managers in the finance sector
• A self-starter with experience working in a loose management environment across multiple organizations
• Strong analytical research skills -ability to communicate complex concepts clearly, both orally and in writing, with fluency in English
• US work authorization required for this position

How to Apply 

Please submit a cover letter with resume. Applicants must apply through the WRI Careers portal to be considered.

Potential Salary: $79,000 – $106,000. Salary is commensurate with experience and other compensable factors. 

Program Overview

Science Based Targets is a joint initiative by CDP, the UN Global Compact, the World Resources Institute (WRI) and WWF, in collaboration with the We Mean Business Coalition, intended to increase ambition on corporate climate action by driving the adoption of greenhouse gas emission reduction targets in line with what the latest climate science says is necessary to meet the goals of the Paris Agreement. Through the SBTi Finance project, SBTi is also working with financial institutions to set portfolio-level SBTs and formally validating the targets that meet the initiative’s criteria. The aim of the project is for portfolio-level SBTs to become standard practice and for these targets to result in emissions reductions in the real economy. The project intends to raise the ambition of the finance sector by defining and promoting best practice in science-based target setting and providing methods, criteria, guidance and tools to reduce the barriers to adoption and implementation (i.e. actions that lead to atmospheric reductions of GHG concentrations). Within the broad ecosystem of organizations and value chains that link financial institutions with GHG emissions in the real economy, the SBTi Finance project is focused on ex ante targets at the asset-class level. The first version of the target setting framework for financial institutions was launched in October 2020 and will be updated on an annual basis as our understanding of how financial institutions can achieve emissions reductions in the real economy evolves.

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 seven 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. 

We are passionate. We value our diversity of interests, skills and backgrounds. We have a flexible work environment. And we share a common goal to catalyze change that will improve the lives of people. Our shared ideals are at the core of our approach. They include: integrity, innovation, urgency, independence and respect. 

The foundation of our work is delivering high-quality research, data, maps and analysis to solve the world’s greatest environment and international development challenges, and improve people’s lives. We work with leaders in government, business and civil society to drive ambitious action and create change on the ground. Equally important, we bring together partners to develop breakthrough ideas and scale-up solutions for far-reaching, enduring impact.  

We have been growing rapidly: our staff has doubled in size over the past 5 years and our operating budget is now $150 million. Founded in 1982, WRI has a global staff of 1,000+ people with work spanning 60 countries. We have offices in Africa, Brazil, China, Europe, India, Indonesia, Mexico and the United States as well as a growing presence in other countries and regions.   

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.