Summer 2026 Clean Energy & Climate Solutions Intern (Fordham IPED Students Only)

NRDC (the Natural Resources Defense Council) works to safeguard the Earth, its people, its plants and animals, and the natural systems on which all life depends. NRDC combines the power of more than 3 million members and online activists with the expertise of some 800 policy advocates, lawyers, scientists, and communication experts to confront the climate crisis, protect nature, ensure the rights of all people to clean air, clean water, and healthy communities.  As an international nonprofit environmental organization, NRDC is working to address the world’s most urgent environmental challenges, and advance innovative, science-based, and enforceable solutions.  

Since our founding in 1970, NRDC has helped craft and deliver many of America’s foundational environmental laws, including the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act and Safe Drinking Water Act. Today, we continue to lead in advancing and defending strong environmental protections at the local, state, federal and international levels, as well as through the marketplace. Our team works across the United States and around the world, from offices in Chicago, Los Angeles, New York City, San Francisco, and Washington, D.C., as well as in Beijing, and New Delhi (a subsidiary of NRDC India Pvt. Ltd.).  

Supported by our members and online activists, NRDC is driving impactful solutions that confront the climate crisis, defend nature and safeguard public health across Asia, Africa, and the Americas. At NRDC, we believe lasting change happens when people bring their talent, passion, and expertise together for a common purpose: to build a cleaner, healthier, and more resilient world. Learn more at nrdc.org

NRDC’s India Program is seeking an intern to contribute to the development of supportive research and materials as the team builds out its portfolio of work. The India Program’s advocacy is focused on five interconnected strategic priority areas: renewable energy growth and access, cooling and energy efficiency, climate resilience and health, clean transportation, and climate goals and global engagement. The Intern’s specific project will be developed in consultation with the intern based on interests, skills, and the India Program’s priorities. The Fellow will have the opportunity to collaborate with NRDC India colleagues based in New Delhi, and engage with relevant stakeholders and policymakers connected with the project they are working on.

The Internship will provide an excellent opportunity to be a part of climate and energy-related research in the Indian context, with projects ranging from identifying major barriers and potential solutions to clean energy access, advancing sustainable and energy efficient cooling solutions, building and strengthening resilience to extreme heat, fast-tracking electric mobility targets and adoption, advancing industrial decarbonization including green hydrogen and green steel, and analyzing India’s progress towards meeting its climate commitments.  Work products and deliverables may include:

• Blog posts, internal memos, and briefing memos to external stakeholders
• Stand-alone analysis or documents that will be incorporated into NRDC reports, factsheets, and presentations

• Currently a graduate student from Fordham's IPED program.
• Excellent writing and research skills.
• Applicants should be knowledgeable about energy and climate change.
• Self-motivation and ability to work efficiently and meet deadlines with limited supervision.
• High proficiency with Microsoft Office, including Word and Outlook.
• International experience is helpful.

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position within the described work environment.

The incumbent will not qualify as an employee, fellow, volunteer, or independent contractor of NRDC, nor will the incumbent be guaranteed employment at the end of the internship term.

NRDC operates under a hybrid work model. Interns are required to come into the office 2 days/week.

As a science-based organization, NRDC aims to do our part to help contain the COVID-19 public health crisis. For the sake of health, safety, and equity, we ask that people be vaccinated unless they have an approved medical or religious accommodation or other exemption in accordance with state and local law. We consider a person to be vaccinated two weeks after receiving one full course of a CDC-approved vaccine. In accordance with state or local law, new hires will be asked to attest to vaccination. Those wishing to do so may request medical or religious accommodations or other exemptions. NRDC treats all vaccination-related data confidentially, in keeping with local, state, and federal laws.

To apply, visit www.nrdc.org/careers and upload your résumé and cover letter. Please mention where you saw this posting and upload any additional materials that showcase your abilities. Due to the high volume of applications, we will contact only those candidates we would like to interview. Please no phone calls, emails, or in-person résumé drop-offs.

If you experience technical problems while applying or if you are a person with a disability and need assistance applying online, please reach out to iCIMS Customer Care at 1-800-889-4422.

For more about NRDC, visit www.nrdc.org.