Accelerating Corporate Decarbonization
Keeping global temperature rise within 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels requires the rapid transformation of systems to decarbonize at an unprecedented scale while also strengthening climate resilience. Businesses need to match their climate ambition with robust strategies and implementation to accelerate the systems transformation we need.
The WBCSD Climate Imperative empowers businesses to future-proof their businesses by embedding climate action into strategy, operations, and disclosure. We address the most pressing strategic and technical decarbonization and resilience opportunities and challenges, supporting our members to drive the systems change needed for a Net Zero and climate-resilient future.
The Bekenstein Intern will play a key role in supporting WBCSD’s Accelerating Decarbonization track – part of WBCSD’s Climate Imperative – which aims to enable corporate climate action at speed and scale. This role will contribute to shaping the 2027 strategy and offer, advise on the scaling phase of the Climate tools such as the Business Action Bank and the Climate Drive, as well as deliver ad-hoc research and support to strengthen WBCSD Climate’s thought leadership and member engagement.
The Internship will likely include the following deliverables/activities:
- Strategic Research
- Conduct desk research and member interviews to provide input into WBCSD Climate’s 2027 strategy and offer.
- Identify trends, challenges, and opportunities for accelerating corporate decarbonization.
- Scaling Solutions & tools
- Support analysis and recommendations for the scaling phase of the Business Action Bank & The Climate Drive, including user and stakeholder insights and operational considerations.
- Member Engagement Support
- Assist in organizing interviews, events (e.g., New York Climate Week), workshops, and online knowledge-sharing sessions to gather insights and foster collaboration.
- Ad-hoc Research
- Prepare briefing materials, reports, and presentations on corporate climate action topics, including best practices and innovative approaches.
What you can expect from the internship:
- Engagement with practitioners within corporate sustainability.
- Exposure to strategic planning and solution scaling within a global NGO context.
- Development of research and stakeholder engagement skills in climate action.
- Experience of supporting the work of a global NGO.
Qualifications
- Strong research skills and analytical mindset.
- Capacity to communicate and build relationships with counterparts at all levels. Comfortable with delivering presentations and facilitating discussion.
- Writes clearly, succinctly and correctly in a convincing and engaging manner, structuring information to meet the needs and understanding of the intended audience.
- Thrives when working in a fast-paced, collaborative environment.
- Good organizational and project management skills.
Timeline
The project will likely follow the timeline below, which will be further tailored based on evolving WBCSD’s priorities and the intern’s specific skills and interest.
Phase 1: Orientation & Research
- Onboard to WBCSD Climate Imperative and Accelerating Decarbonization Track.
- Review existing datasets, tools, and processes.
- Conduct research and prepare member interviews to identify trends and inform strategy.
Phase 2: Solution Development & Engagement
- Analyze and support the scaling of climate action tools (e.g., Business Action Bank, Climate Drive).
- Gather user and stakeholder / member insights.
- Organize and facilitate member engagement activities (e.g., prepare New York Climate Week events, workshops, online knowledge-sharing sessions).
Phase 3: Recommendations & Reporting
- Prepare briefing materials, reports, and presentations.
- Finalize documentation.
- Present findings and actionable recommendations to the WBCSD Climate team.
Background
WBCSD is a purpose-driven, forward-thinking and action-oriented organization, characterized by diversity of gender, nationalities and work experiences.
We are looking for people that share our passion for sustainability and our values to achieve our vision of a world where more than 9 billion people live well and within the limits of the planet by 2050. WBCSD staff are encouraged to take ownership in a demanding work environment which also offers flexibility and autonomy. At WBCSD, we promote diversity, equality and inclusion by offering diverse opportunities and a great exposure to the business world.
Together, we are the leading voice of business for sustainability, with a mission to accelerate the transition to a sustainable world by making more sustainable businesses more successful.
