About the Center for Climate and Energy Solutions (C2ES): C2ES’s mission is to secure a safe and stable climate by accelerating the transition to a thriving, just, and resilient low-carbon economy. We are widely recognized as an 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.
 

Our organizational values: We are ambitious and practical, advancing effective solutions that push the boundaries of the achievable. We are open-minded and inclusive, seeking out and considering a wide range of voices, views, and approaches. We are people-focused, dedicated to improving human well-being and recognizing that respect and empathy are central to success. We are one team, working collaboratively, communicating openly, making ourselves accessible to each other, and treating one another with kindness and respect. 

About Salata Institute for Climate and Sustainability at Harvard University: The mission of the Salata Institute is to develop and advance durable, effective, and equitable solutions to the climate change challenges confronting humanity. The Salata Institute supports interdisciplinary climate research and engagement across Harvard, connecting scholars, students, and practitioners to identify promising solutions, build consensus around practical climate action, and advance progress toward a sustainable net-zero future. 

C2ES and the Harvard Salata Institute for Climate and Sustainability seek a U.S. Climate Policy Intern to support a joint initiative focused on developing the next generation of U.S. energy and climate policy proposals. This role is intended primarily for undergraduate and graduate students interested in the intersection of rigorous academic research, federal policymaking, stakeholder engagement, and practical climate policy design. 

The intern will play a hands-on role supporting the C2ES-Salata partnership: tracking academic policy proposals, preparing briefing materials for sector-specific seminars, supporting convenings, and helping translate research into accessible materials for congressional staff and business audiences. This intern will report to the Director for U.S. Policy and will work closely with the Business Engagement Associate and Salata. 

Major responsibilities: 

• Work closely with the Director for U.S. Policy and Outreach and other C2ES staff to develop high-impact climate and energy policies to achieve U.S. climate targets; 
• Track and synthesize academic policy proposals across sectors—including electric power, industry, transportation, and innovation—and assess how they may perform under different social, economic, political, and implementation scenarios; 
• Provide logistical support for workshops, briefings and other events engaging policymakers, experts, companies and other stakeholders; 
• Research and prepare background materials for sector-specific policy seminars, including participant briefing memos and policy landscape summaries for each topic area; 
• Monitor, track, and report on U.S. domestic climate policy developments including both administrative and legislative actions; 
• Research and analyze federal policies and other policies as needed; 
• Develop and contribute to written material, including blog posts, other topical web content, and policy briefs, with a goal of having specific deliverables authored by the intern; 
• Attend and inform the Policy and Outreach team about relevant events in Washington by other think tanks, advocacy groups, Congress and federal agencies; 
• Help support briefings with C2ES business partners on U.S. climate policy developments. 

Minimum Requirements: 

• Current Harvard undergraduate or graduate student in one of the following fields: economics, political science, or environmental studies, or related subjects; 
• Strong research, writing, editing, and analytical skills; 
• Ability to synthesize dense and complicated information clearly and quickly; 
• Excellent verbal communication and presentation skills;  
• Strong interpersonal communication skills; 
• Interdisciplinary understanding of climate change (economics, politics, technology, etc.); 
• Highly organized, with strong attention to detail; 
• Ability to work collaboratively and independently, as needed; 
• Willingness to learn and to pitch in at all levels; 
• Commitment to, knowledge of, or experience in advancing issues of diversity, equity, inclusion and environmental/climate justice. 

Desired qualifications: 

• Familiarity with U.S. federal policymaking, climate policy, energy policy, environmental economics, public finance, electricity markets, industrial policy, transportation, trade, or related areas; 
• Understanding of market-based approaches to address climate change (e.g., carbon tax, cap and trade, emissions performance standards, etc.); 
• Experience writing memos, literature reviews, policy briefs, or stakeholder summaries; 
• Familiarity in the design and facilitation of convenings among a diverse set of stakeholders, including strong interpersonal communication skills and experience in stakeholder engagement; 
• Experience supporting events, workshops, seminars, or stakeholder convenings; 
• Ability to prioritize among and efficiently manage multiple assignments and meet critical deadlines.  

Internship type:

• Enrolled in, or completed a bachelor's degree or higher (with a preference given to graduate students) in one of the following fields: economics, political science, or environmental studies, or related subjects.  
• This internship may be based at C2ES’s Washington, D.C. office or conducted remotely from Washington, D.C. or Massachusetts. Preference will be given to candidates able to participate in occasional in-person meetings or events in Washington, D.C. or Cambridge, MA. 
• Full-time internship up to 37.5 hours per week (following C2ES HQ office hours) during Summer 2026 (anticipated May 2026 – August 2026, with some flexibility on start and end date). Depending on project needs, funding, and mutual interest, there may be an opportunity for the intern to continue supporting the C2ES-Salata partnership on a part-time basis during the 2026–2027 academic year. 
• Hourly wage $20.00 per hour. 
• Transportation stipend for interns working from the C2ES Office. 

To apply, please upload a brief cover letter, resume, unofficial transcript, and a short writing sample. 

We also are fully committed to promoting diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice. We believe we will only be effective in developing and advocating for climate solutions if we have a diverse range of voices and perspectives represented within C2ES, in our work, and among our partners. C2ES is committed to creating and growing a culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion within our organization and among the stakeholders we collaborate with and convene. By fostering this culture, we can enhance our work and amplify our impact. We encourage individuals of all races, ethnicities, socioeconomic backgrounds, genders, sexual identities, and abilities to apply for this position. For more on C2ES’s DEIJ policy, visit: https://www.c2es.org/about/diversity-equity-inclusion-and-justice.