About the Program:

The Urban Efficiency and Climate Team (UEC) champions multi-level partnerships to accelerate subnational climate action. We work to ensure that all projects supported by the WRI Ross Center contribute to climate action that delivers integrated benefits for people, nature and climate. Our goal is that the WRI is recognized as a global leader on measuring and tracking integrated climate results, ensuring greater stakeholder buy-in and improved access to climate finance.

About CHAMP:

The Coalition for High Ambition Multilevel Partnerships (CHAMP) for Climate Action, launched in December 2023 by the COP28 Presidency in partnership with Bloomberg Philanthropies and with support from governmental, academic, and nonprofit groups.

CHAMP is a commitment for greater multilevel cooperation in producing a country”s climate plans, such as NDCs, to ensure that the next round of national pledges reflect greater ambition and inclusivity. Recognizing that cities and regions play a critical role in implementing national climate commitments, CHAMP was designed to bridge the gap between local action and national policies. Since its launch, the CHAMP coalition has grown to over 70 endorsers, demonstrating a growing global commitment to embedding multilevel governance in climate action.

Internship Highlight:

As a Multi-Level Climate Partnerships Intern, you will have the opportunity to:

• Contribute to the global climate initiative, Coalition for High Ambition Multilevel Partnerships (CHAMP) for Climate Action with over 70 endorsing countries
• Acquire relevant knowledge on how cities can implement climate action across different sectors and internal processes to achieve NDC commitments.
• Build expertise in multilevel climate governance through research on how countries are operationalizing CHAMP commitments, including collecting, analysing, and synthesizing data on national–subnational collaboration.
• Engage directly with leading climate experts across WRI and partner organizations through interviews and milestone presentations, strengthening your professional network and communication skills.

What you will do:

In this role, you will help monitor how 70+ national governments are operationalizing multilevel climate action. You will conduct research, analyse country progress, and contribute to new insights that will strengthen CHAMP advocacy and partnerships globally.

Your internship supervisor will be Michael Doust, Director of Urban Efficiency & Climate, at WRI Ross Center for Sustainable Cities.

Research & Analysis (60%)

• Conduct research on CHAMP-endorsing countries, analysing progress against CHAMP’s six commitments and identifying examples of innovative multilevel climate action.
• Produce one-page country profiles and contribute to a structured database of first-mover case studies.
• Synthesise findings into clear insights that support WRI’s advocacy, communications, and global engagement with national governments.

Knowledge Product Development & Coordination (40%)

• Support the design and build-out of a dashboard to track progress, ensuring data accuracy and usability.
• Help develop ready-to-use communications materials, including visual summaries, progress snapshots, and database entries.
• Assist with coordinating interviews and engagement with subject-matter experts and country focal points.
• Prepare materials and contribute to milestone presentations, including preliminary findings, dashboard demos, and the final project presentation.

What you will need:

• Currently pursuing a degree in urban planning, public policy, public administration, environmental science/management/policy or related field (graduate program preferred)
• Demonstrated familiarity with urban issues, multilevel governance frameworks, sustainable development, environment and/or international development
• 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 have verbal and written proficiency in English.

Conditions of the internship:

• This is a 6-month internship with a start date of 16 March 2026.
• 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 9 January 2025. 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:

World Resources Institute works to improve people’s lives, protect and restore nature and stabilize the climate. As an independent research organization, we leverage our data, expertise and global reach to influence policy and catalyse change across systems like food, land and water; energy; and cities. Our 2,000+ staff work on the ground in more than a dozen focus countries and with partners in over 50 nations.

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: Independence, Integrity, Impact, Partnership and Care.

Our culture:

WRI is committed to advancing gender and social equity for human well-being in our mission including equal opportunities in employment. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, ethnicity, religion, sex, national origin, age, caste, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, disability, or protected Veteran status.

Our People team carefully reviews all applications.