For 60 years, WWF has worked to help people and nature thrive. As one of the world’s leading conservation organizations, WWF works in more than 100 countries, connecting cutting-edge conservation science with the collective power of our partners in the field – more than one million supporters in the United States and five million globally, as well as partnerships with communities, companies, and governments.

Our vision for diversity, equity and inclusion at WWF is an organization as diverse as the world we protect; where the richness of all our unique views, experiences, and backgrounds combines to create the most sustainable and inclusive conservation outcomes possible — bringing the greatest benefit to the planet and every person who lives on it.

Across the many cultures and individuals that represent WWF, we are unified by one mission, one brand, and one common set of values: Courage, Respect, Integrity and Collaboration.

WWF’s internship program vision is to recruit professionals early in their careers who bring fresh thinking and innovation to the environmental and conservation sector and are well positioned to develop into the next generation of leaders. Our mission is to increase exposure of students from underrepresented populations to conservation and environmental careers, provide professional development opportunities, reduce the barriers to attracting a diverse pool of internship candidates, and develop a pipeline for future WWF hires from underrepresented populations.

World Wildlife Fund (WWF), one of the world’s leading conservation organizations, seeks a Climate-Business intern to join the Climate & Business team this summer to contribute to our work. This work includes helping companies to set and implement Science-Based Targets (including Net Zero), navigate the complexities of climate-related claims, explore opportunities to go beyond these targets and invest in nature-based solutions, and to support ambitious climate-related policy. The team works with businesses both one on one and through the Climate Business Network CBN), a global collaboration of 23 Fortune 500 companies. The intern will be integrated into the Climate & Business team, with the opportunity to participate in our monthly calls with corporate sustainability teams, as well as monthly CBN community calls. This will provide the candidate with significant exposure to key issues of corporate climate engagement.

In addition to participating in corporate partner discussions, the candidate will have the opportunity to work on several potential projects depending on interest and background:

• Review greenhouse gas (GHG) inventories, sustainability reports, and CDP disclosures of WWF Climate Business Network corporate partners and update/maintain CBN partner database.
• Synthesize publicly available information on WWF Climate Business Network partner scope 3 (value chain) GHG emissions reduction activities and identify opportunities for cross-partner collaboration.
• Review public disclosures and survey Climate Business Network partners to identify, catalog, and quantify existing beyond value chain emissions mitigation activities, including carbon credit purchases and nature-based solutions investments.
• Help to construct short case studies of two to three companies that are accounting for Forest, Land and Agriculture (FLAG) emissions and setting FLAG targets for the first time through the new Science-Based Targets initiative methodology developed by WWF. Questions to be answered could include: What is the process? Where does the data come from and how accurate is it? What are the major hurdles in target setting/implementation?
• Assist in development of strategy and materials for three Science-Based Target initiative (SBTi) FLAG training events for companies. Companies with land-related emissions have new requirements to set targets related to these emissions. What do they need to know to start the process? What are the key pieces of information to have on hand? How do they use the guidance and tool? These sessions will be ‘deep dive’ trainings on setting FLAG targets.

Minimum Requirements:

• Pursuing an Associate’s or Bachelor’s program in any field of study, though environmental studies or a related field would provide the candidate helpful background. Those studying outside these areas are still highly encouraged to apply.
• Will not have received their degree by June 2022
• Excellent research, writing and verbal communication skills
• Organized and self-motivated with attention to detail
• Identifies and aligns with WWF’s core values: Courage, Integrity, Respect, and Collaboration:
• Demonstrates courage by speaking up even when it is difficult, or unpopular.
• Builds trust with colleagues by acting with integrity, owning mistakes, and holding oneself accountable.
• Welcomes other points of view and ideas, recognizing and embracing different and contrary perspectives with kindness, curiosity, and encouragement.
• Makes conscious efforts to promote cooperative practices, behaviors, and ways of working across many groups and individuals.

Preferred Qualifications:

• An interest in or curiosity about the role that corporations, their suppliers and customers can play in addressing the climate crisis.

Learning Outcomes

This internship will provide the candidate with a broad introduction to corporate sustainability as it relates to climate change, including how companies set targets, work to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions and partner with NGOs.  

WWF interns will be provided a set of professional development opportunities, aimed at increasing their exposure to conservation and sustainability careers. This includes:

• Development discussions with their manager;
• Up to two online courses through Cornell University’s eCornell program;
• Speed mentoring sessions;
• Opportunity to present their work to intern peers and WWF staff;
• Session on resume and interviewing best practices.

Interns will also have access to an array of networking opportunities. This includes meetings with WWF’s CEO, the senior management team, Employee Resource Groups, and representatives from other departments.

Location:

US Remote – WWF employs interns in all states with the exception of: Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, Idaho, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Nevada, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Wyoming.

Compensation:

Paid - $16 per hour (35 hours per week)

Internship Dates:

Internship will run from June 13 to August 19, 2022

*Please note that WWF does not provide VISA sponsorship to interns

US Remote – WWF employs interns in all states with the exception of: Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, Hawaii, Idaho, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Nevada, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Rhode Island, Wyoming.

To Apply:

• Submit cover letter and resume through our Careers Page,  Requisition #BR-2239
• Due to the high volume of applications we are not able to respond to inquiries via phone

As an EOE/AA employer, WWF will not discriminate in its employment practices due to an applicant’s race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, disability, or protected Veteran status. WWF values diversity and inclusion and welcomes diverse candidates to apply.