Why Join Us?

Unique Focus: CPI is among the largest and most influential climate finance organizations in the world. We stand out for our unique focus on finance, our ability to get influential leaders to the table, and our analytical rigor.

Innovative Impact: Be part of a team internationally recognized for creating must-read analysis on sustainable investment trends, pioneering business models, and championing solutions for a low-carbon, climate-resilient economy.

Global Influence: Contribute to projects like the Global Landscape of Climate Finance and the Global Innovation Lab for Climate Finance, influencing billions of dollars towards sustainable growth in developing economies.

“My internship at CPI provided me with invaluable applied experience. I had the opportunity to work alongside innovators at the forefront of climate finance, collaborate with highly skilled and inspiring colleagues, and contribute to an organization with a strong mission to accelerate climate action.” – Guillermo Martinez, Summer 2023 Intern 

“I started my climate finance career as an undergraduate intern at CPI, which led me to graduate school, and thankfully all the way back to CPI as a full-time Analyst. From start to finish, it’s been an incredible journey highlighted by unwavering passion and support from my colleagues, a strong sense of organizational purpose, and an unmatched array of opportunities for personal growth.” – Neil Chin, Summer 2019 Intern 

About the Role

Join our Climate Finance Internship Program and use your skills to make meaningful impact in tackling the climate crisis. We are seeking individuals to help us deliver best-in-class financial product design services to private and public sector partners, as well as support our highly influential research and flagship programs on climate investments and the broader international financial architecture landscape.

Successful candidates will have the opportunity to work with a world-recognized team on cutting-edge analytical projects that drive investments and change policy towards a low-carbon, climate-resilient world.

Potential Projects

• The Global Innovation Lab for Climate Finance - An investor-led, public-private initiative that accelerates innovative well-designed, early-stage climate finance solutions and instruments.
  Successfully launched 78 solutions that have mobilized more than USD 4 billion for climate solutions across emerging economies. 
• The Catalytic Climate Finance Facility - An accelerator that helps the most innovative blended climate finance structures become investable solutions that can be standardized, replicated, and scaled. Supported 11 blended climate finance structures that have mobilized more than USD 150 million for climate solutions across emerging economies.
• The CC Facility Learning Hub - A knowledge-sharing platform that aims to provide evidence and best practices that help accelerate the implementation of blend climate finance structures, mobilize private capital, and achieve socioeconomic and environmental impacts.
• FiCS Lab - A platform that fosters innovation and collaboration among PDBs in mobilizing private capital and expanding climate finance, particularly in emerging markets and developing economies.
• Climate Finance Reform Compass - A policy tracker that facilitates consensus and coordinates action among governments, civil society, and the private sector on the full range of international financial architecture reforms needed to meet the global climate challenge
• Climate Finance Tracking – A program that provides the most comprehensive data and insights into finance flows supporting climate change mitigation and adaptation outcomes.
• Cities Climate Finance Leadership Alliance (CCFLA) – A multi-stakeholder coalition aimed at closing the investment gap for urban subnational climate projects and infrastructure worldwide.
  

Responsibilities

• Supporting partners in the development of innovative climate finance mechanisms.
• Conducting quantitative analysis of national and international climate finance mechanisms.
• Collecting and analyzing cross-disciplinary data on climate finance.
• Producing high-quality reports, executive summaries, blogs, and presentations. 
  

Technical Qualifications (at least one)

• Understanding of domestic and international climate policy issues.
• Financial modeling or a background supporting structuring and closing of project finance transactions, private credit or fund products
• Knowledge of climate finance, blended finance, financial instrument structuring, or climate startups.
• Background in international financial architecture. 
  

General Qualifications

• Passion for climate policy/finance and commitment to CPI’s mission.
• Pursuing or recently completed a degree in economics, finance, or public policy.
• Excellent writing skills in English with the ability to produce and edit high-quality products.
• Adaptable and professional at all times with an enthusiasm for working as part of a team, and an ability to interact with a diverse array of people including external partners. 
  

Employee Benefits

• Location requirements: Remote, with hybrid opportunities in San Francisco and Washington DC
• Work authorization requirements: US Citizens, open to students with F-1 Visa
• Compensation: $23 per hour
• Benefits: Health and Commuter
• Hours per week: 20 to 40 hours per week across Monday to Friday
• Start date: Mid-September 2025
• Contract duration: 12 weeks

To Apply

As part of your application please attach your resume and answer the questions found in the application portal.

We do not recommend the use of AI to complete your application.

If you have any support or access requirements, let us know during the application. We are dedicated to ensuring an inclusive recruitment process tailored to your needs.

Only short-listed applicants will be contacted.

Applicants must be eligible to work and already located in the US – we are unable to offer any visa sponsorship for this role due to the short-term nature.

Diversity and Inclusion

Climate Policy Initiative is an equal-opportunity employer and is committed to improving diversity, equity, and inclusion within our organization. We work hard to create and maintain a supportive and inclusive environment where all individuals can maximize their full potential.

Our CPI teams reflect a variety of backgrounds, talents, perspectives, and experiences. Our strong commitment to diversity and inclusion is evident through our focus on attracting and retaining staff based on skills and merit.

We welcome and strongly encourage applications from candidates of all identities and backgrounds, and do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender or gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, or age. We are committed to providing reasonable adjustments to applicants and colleagues with disabilities.

Other Information

This internship is a temporary position with a defined end date. While we value your contributions during your time with Climate Policy Initiative, please note that this internship does not constitute an offer or guarantee of full-time employment upon the conclusion of the internship period. Climate Policy Initiative hires full-time on a needs basis.