About the Program:

Coolfood is the World Resources Institute’s initiative for curbing diet-related emissions. Coolfood provides the food service industry with the tools and expertise to reduce their emissions, and monitors progress through the Coolfood Pledge, a commitment to reduce food-related emissions by 25% by 2030, in line with the goals of the Paris Agreement. Food providers serving 9 billion meals annually rely on Coolfood to help step up their climate action and thereby build a food system that benefits people and the planet. Coolfood uniquely combines deep environmental research with expertise in behavioral science and consumer marketing techniques, all in a one stop shop that allows the food service industry to turn its ambition into action.

10x20x30 – The groundbreaking 10x20x30 initiative, coordinated by WRI as a part of the Champions 12.3 initiative to tackle food waste globally, brings together 10+ of the world’s largest food retailers and providers, each engaging at least 20 suppliers to halve food loss and waste by 2030. The effort catalyzes a “whole chain” approach to fighting food loss and waste and supports upstream food loss and waste reduction. Each of the food retailers, providers, and suppliers has committed to the “Target-Measure-Act” approach: set a target of reducing food loss and waste in their own operations by 50%, measure and publish their food loss and waste inventories, and take action to reduce their waste.

These exciting and dynamic initiatives support WRI’s Food, Land, and Water Program, which identifies and develops solutions to the world’s food production and consumption problems, with a view to sustainably feeding nearly 10 billion people by 2050. We identify ways to reduce food loss and waste, enable consumers to make more sustainable food choices, and advance strategies to sustainably increase food production, such as restoring degraded lands back into productivity, increasing pastureland yields, and improving land and water management.

This is a hybrid position which requires 8 days per month in the office. You can be based in our office in Washington DC Office. Existing work authorization is required at the time of application submission as WRI is unable to sponsor any visa work sponsorship for this position. To be eligible for this position, you must be a resident of DC, Maryland or Virginia at the start of employment.

What you will do:

You will be responsible for integrating equity into your work. In this role you will work closely with the Coolfood Data Lead and a Food Program Associate to provide support on data-related tasks for the Coolfood Pledge and Food Loss and Waste initiatives along with other Food Initiatives team research as the need arises. For the Coolfood data support, you will assist with Coolfood data analysis and data organization and become familiar with food-related greenhouse gas emissions calculations, particularly through the Coolfood Pledge Calculator Excel tool. You will also gain insights into greenhouse gas emissions reporting initiatives, including the Greenhouse Gas Protocol and Science Based Targets Initiative, as well as insights into additional environmental metrics and available datasets.

For the Food Loss and Waste initiatives, you will assist with data collection and analysis relating to the 10x20x30 initiative. You will gain insights into how companies address food loss and waste within their operations, as well as learn about how those companies gather relevant data and report that data publicly. You will also contribute to ongoing publications under development by the food loss and waste team.

Internship Learning Outcomes:

Support Coolfood Pledge data management, analysis, and presentation (25% of time)

• Complete greenhouse gas emissions calculations using the Coolfood Pledge Calculator Excel tool for members of the Coolfood Pledge.
• Support data interpretation and presentation of Coolfood Pledge reports to members, as the opportunity arises.
• Provide support with Coolfood data file organization and tracking.

Support Coolfood Pledge data updates (25% of time)

• Research the reporting requirements of the Greenhouse Gas Protocol Land Sector and Removals Guidance (GHGP LSR) and the Science Based Target Initiatives’ Forest, Land and Agriculture Guidance (SBTi FLAG) to inform updates to Coolfood Pledge reporting processes.

• Research other applicable environmental metrics to identify potential new metrics to incorporate into the Coolfood Pledge Calculator tool.
• Provide support with updating the Calculator tool in line with planned data updates

Support data gathering and analysis for food loss and waste initiatives (50% of time)

• Identify data gaps in existing food loss and waste data and fill them where possible.
• Analyze trends in data availability and data gaps to assist in strategic planning and the development of future activities.
• Contribute to research, writing, and review of the annual Champions 12.3 “SDG Target 12.3 on Food Loss and Waste” Progress Report and other publications under development by the food loss and waste team.
• Support other Food Initiatives team data tasks and activities as needs arise.

What you will need:

• Ideal for students pursuing degrees in fields of environmental science, environmental studies, or food systems.
• Proficiency in Excel, experience working with large data sets
• Mathematical and writing skills; attention to detail
• Experience with environmental impact assessments of food (e.g. life cycle assessment, modeling, greenhouse gas accounting or reporting) or related topics is a plus
• Ability to present complex information in a clear and concise manner

 

Compensation

The pay for this internship opportunity is$20/hourfor undergrads; $22/hour for graduates and $24/hour for PhD students.

Length of Contract:

This is a full-time, 3-month internship with a flexible start and end date.

Location:

• This is a hybrid internship that will be based out of our Washington D.C. office.
• You will be required to work in the Washington DC office at least 8 days per month.

How to Apply:

Please submit a resume with a cover letter by February 20, 2025. Applicants must apply through the WRI Careers portal to be considered.

About Us: Founded in 1982, 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 to secure a sustainable future for people and the planet: climate change, energy, food, forests, water, sustainable cities, and the ocean. WRI has a global staff of over 1,800 people with work spanning 60 countries. We have offices in Africa, Brazil, China, Europe, India, Indonesia, Mexico, Colombia, and the United States, as well as a growing presence in other countries and regions.

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.

Internships at WRI are learning experiences designed for current students, recent graduates, and 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, racial, and social equity for human well-being in our mission and applies this principle to our organizational and programmatic practices.

Our mission and values:

WRI’s mission is to move human society to live in ways that protect Earth’s environment and its capacity to provide for the needs and aspirations of current and future generations.

Our values are shared ideals that bind us together: Integrity, Innovation, Urgency, Independence, Respect.

WRI is committed to advancing gender and social equity for human well-being in our mission, including equal opportunities inemployment. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, ethnicity, religion, sex, national origin, age, caste, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, disability, or protected Veteran status.

 

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