Clean Air Action Internship

About the program:
Through its network of global and local experts, WRI Ross Center for Sustainable Cities supports city- and national-level change for people and the planet, focusing on integrated solutions to new and long-standing urban challenges, primarily in the Global South. The WRI Ross Center for Sustainable Cities’ One Atmosphere team is committed to enhancing human and ecosystem health by identifying and addressing the root causes of air pollution. Internship Highlight:
Air pollution is the world’s number one environmental health risk, linked to up to 7 million deaths every year. But the impacts of worsening air pollution extend beyond human health, affecting climate change, the water cycle, energy and food production. The sources and causes of air pollution are complex, varying between places, across seasons and over time.
Reporting to WRI’s Global Director Urban Efficiency and Climate, you will support a project to explore options for a multi-level governance approach to air quality management and action, including:

• Researching existing approaches to integrated urban climate and clean air action at the bioregional/regional/airshed scale, including from WRI’s work in Mexico and from other organisations and projects in and outside Europe; and
• Analysing the roles of European local governments vis a vis national government on tackling air pollution, including their legal and policy mandates and options, in the context of the the revised Ambient Air Quality Directive.

What you will do:

In this role, you will:

• Conduct desktop research to review existing approaches to integrated urban climate and clean air action at the bioregional/regional/airshed scale (45%)
• Conduct research (inc. surveys and interviews) to analyse the roles of European local governments vis a vis national government on tackling air pollution, including their legal and policy mandates and options (45%)
• Support project management and maintain various project trackers (we use Slack and Asana) (5%)
• Provide day-to-day support to One Atmosphere team to schedule team meetings, draft concept notes and agendas and prepare meeting memos as appropriate (5%)

Your internship supervisor will be the Global Director, Urban Efficiency and Climate

What you will need:

• Demonstrated passion for cities and clean air
• Strong project management and Microsoft Excel skills
• Ability to manage multiple parallel tasks
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Currently pursuing a degree in science, engineering, policy, or related fields (graduate program preferred).
• Interns at WRI Europe must be registered in a study program with a Dutch college or university for the full duration of the internship.
• You are proficient in verbal and written English

Conditions of the internship:

• This is a 4 to 6 month internship with a start date of 16 September 2024.
• This internship will be based at the WRI Europe office in The Hague with some flexibility to work from home.
• This internship offers a reimbursement of 700 euros per month based on full-time working hours (32 hours per week).

How to apply:

Please submit a resume and cover letter by 21 July 2024. Applicants must apply through the WRI Careers portal to be considered. You are encouraged to link to any relevant blogs, projects or other pieces of work that demonstrate your suitability for the internship.

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. 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.

Our culture:
WRI is committed to advancing gender and social equity for human well-being in our mission and applies this principle to our organizational and programmatic practices. We are committed to providing equal opportunities in employment, we embrace all diversity and encourage women, the LGBTQ+ community, persons with disabilities, Afro-descendants, and Indigenous people to apply. Recognizing our strong commitment to gender equality, WRI has also been awarded EDGE certification.
Our team carefully reviews all applications.