Climate Resilience Intern, Center Climate and Energy Solutions; C2ES

Climate Resilience Intern, Center for Climate and Energy Solutions (C2ES)

Organization/Grantor: Climate Resilience Intern

Position/Title/Fund: Center for Climate and Energy Solutions (C2ES)

Type/Term: Internship

Location: Washington, D.C.

Salary: $20 per hour

Description: Our mission is to secure a safe and stable climate by accelerating the transition to a thriving, just, and resilient low‑carbon economy. We are a widely recognized influential voice on climate issues, a trusted convener, and a credible source of expertise and analysis. We work closely with international climate negotiators, federal, state, and local policymakers, executives of Fortune 500 businesses, and a wide range of other stakeholders to advance strong policy and action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, promote clean energy, and strengthen resilience to climate impacts.

C2ES is an independent, nonpartisan, nonprofit organization.

The C2ES Climate Resilience Intern will work directly with the Climate Resilience Manager and program staff to assist with short‑term and long‑term research projects and stakeholder engagement related to community climate resilience. Businesses and governments at all levels are preparing for the increasing physical impacts of climate change and are eager to uncover new solutions for community resilience. The C2ES Resilience Intern will have the opportunity to contribute to the C2ES Climate Resilient Communities Accelerator initiative and study aspects of resilience planning and disaster preparedness in close collaboration with C2ES's resilience experts.

The Resilience Intern will predominantly support the South‑Central Puget Sound Accelerator, which is entering its second year, focused on resilience strategy implementation with a cohort of public and private leaders.

Potential research topics include local and federal policy (extreme heat resilience policies, agency grantmaking, regulations, etc.), local solutions (nature‑based solutions, communication strategies, land use tools and building codes, data resources, etc.), economic development, and public‑private partnerships as they relate to climate resilience. The specific area(s) of research will depend on the intern's background and interests.

• Conduct independent research and analysis on one or more resilience policy topics under supervision.
• Contribute to staff research and analysis of resilience topics, such as attending events related to resilience or tracking the current landscape of local and private sector action.
• Support outreach and engagement efforts to develop, plan, and promote activities for the Climate Resilient Communities Accelerator, focusing on Washington State.
• Assist with event planning and logistics.
• Develop and contribute to written materials, including possible blog posts, maps, and policy briefs for the C2ES website.
• Support C2ES resilience team activities with enthusiasm to learn and willingness to engage in intellectual debate.
• Provide support to other program area events and research when needed.

• Eagerness to gain new expertise in the climate resilience field.
• Interest in an interdisciplinary approach to community climate resilience that values economic, social, and natural systems.
• Ability to collaborate with a wide range of stakeholders.
• Top‑notch writing skills.
• Capacity to think critically and work independently.
• Willingness to learn and pitch in at all levels.
• Demonstrated interest in climate change and/or environmental issues.
• Undergraduate studies in a relevant field, including but not limited to environmental studies, biological or earth sciences, environmental engineering, urban planning, political science, public policy, or economics.

• Internship can be local at our office: 1400 K NW #1100, Washington, DC, 20005, or remote from specified states.
• Full‑time internship up to 37.5 hours per week during Summer 2026.
• Transportation stipend for interns working from the C2ES Office.

To apply, please upload a cover letter, transcripts, resume, and writing sample to our website. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis as they are received.

• Cover letter should be no more than one page.
• Writing sample should be no more than 5 pages (you may submit a section of a larger writing piece); preference for writing samples on topics related to climate change, extreme weather, resilience, adaptation, environmental policy, urban planning, etc.