Applications Invited for Ashoka-Environmental Defense Fund Climate Corps Fellowship

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About the Organization

For today’s climate action to become a competitive advantage, companies need sound guidance to reduce risk while maximizing value. Those enterprise-wide efforts can shape competitiveness and resilience for years to come. Environmental Defense Fund integrates expertise in science, policy, environmental justice and economics to tackle some of the thorniest challenges facing companies and the climate today. We convene diverse stakeholders and build practical, scalable roadmaps for bold actions that benefit people, the planet and businesses. Whether companies want to get to net zero, shape sustainable investments, or train a climate workforce, our work supports the private sector in accelerating progress and advancing a more secure future.

AshokaX, is a unique and pioneering online initiative by Ashoka University, India's premier Liberal Arts and Sciences institution to bring its world-renowned faculty and enriching learning experiences accessible to a diversified audience in India and abroad. AshokaX offers a wide range of online programmes, both live and asynchronous to a broad diversity of learners from high-school and college students to working professionals and lifelong learners.

AshokaX is partnering with the Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) to execute this fellowship in India, to build a skilled green workforce and accelerate net zero and sustainability goals. We are committed to empowering skilled leaders who will advance solutions to put the economy on a path to reach net-zero emissions by mid-century and grow the economy while mitigating the worst effects of climate change.

About the Fellowship

Climate Corps fellows are highly qualified masters and recent graduates (up to five years) who work with companies, public institutions, and non-profit organizations to meet their net-zero and sustainability goals.

We are looking for aspiring changemakers from diverse backgrounds, with a range of experience and ambition, who are motivated to create meaningful impact and enable organizations to navigate the green transition.

As part of the Ashoka-Environmental Defense Fund Climate Corps fellowship, you will have the opportunity to work on cutting-edge net-zero and sustainability projects for some of India's top companies and organizations for 3 months or 6 months to drive meaningful impact in the fight against climate change.

Our application for the 2026 cycle is open now.

How Climate Corps Works:

• As a successful applicant, you are custom-matched with an organization that best aligns with your skills, interests, and preferences.
• You undergo rigorous training to be equipped for your fellowship project at your host organization.
• During the fellowship, you’ll work directly with the staff at your host organization on innovative net-zero and sustainability projects.
• At the end of the fellowship, you’ll become part of the Climate Corps network and gain access to professional development resources throughout your career.

Climate Corps fellows are rigorously trained in the focus areas of:

• Climate Risk Assessment: Identifying physical and transition risks, estimating financial implications, integrating climate risk into business strategy, understanding risk mitigation strategies for identified climate risks, learning relevant regulations and reporting requirements.
• Climate Finance & Carbon Markets: Exploring innovative green finance instruments (green bonds, sustainability-linked loans, etc.), climate funds, carbon credit markets, carbon trading methodologies, double counting, additionality, frameworks by ICVCM, etc.
• Supply Chain Sustainability: Implementing sustainable procurement strategies and supplier engagement, measuring and reducing Scope 3 emissions, integrating renewable energy and resource efficiency, designing criteria for sustainable supply chain and their assessment
• Reporting and Disclosures: International and national frameworks (BRSR, GRI, SASB), India's BRSR framework and alignment with ESG metrics and national guidelines, ESG ratings and their impact on investment decisions and stakeholder trust, double materiality, reporting challenges and tech-led solution.

High-Impact Projects to Match Your Unique Skills and Career Goals:

Working under the guidance of a host supervisor and Climate Corps engagement manager, fellows develop net-zero strategies and climate solutions for their host organizations. Projects culminate in a written report with actionable insights and a series of recommendations to the host organizations. Projects may focus on any of the following high-emitting, underserved sectors:

• Freight and Logistics: Reducing Scope 3 emissions, engaging suppliers on sustainability initiatives, zero-emission medium and heavy-duty vehicle fleets.
• Agriculture/Food Systems: Incorporating climate smart practices, measuring and reducing emissions across the agricultural and food value chains
• Manufacturing: Reducing emissions, incorporating material circularity to manufacturing processes, enabling efficient industrial operations
• Sustainable Finance: Climate risk assessment, sustainable financing, climate-related policy and disclosures, investing in net-zero transition.

Eligibility

Applicants who are currently enrolled in or have graduated in the last 5 years (not earlier than 1 July 2021) from masters or post-graduate degree programs in engineering, finance, business, sustainability, environmental management, public policy, or other relevant streams are eligible to apply. Students enrolled in PhD programs are also encouraged to apply, provided they are able to commit to full-time project work during the fellowship period.

Required experience and skills:

• At least 2 years of work experience is preferred.
• Demonstrated commitment to climate action, sustainability, and equitable development.
• Demonstrated experience taking initiative in dynamic contexts with high agency, unstructured settings across corporate/ government/ social impact roles.
• Strong interpersonal skills, demonstrated capacity to manage stakeholders, and work effectively in interdisciplinary environments.
• Self-starter with strong project management and leadership experience
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, including presentation skills.
• Passion for solving environmental and climate challenges.
• Eligible and available to work on full-time projects in India during April – September 2025
• Depending on available projects, additional skills/experience may be useful, such as:
• Demonstrated experience of working on freight and logistics, food & agriculture, manufacturing and industrial efficiency, circularity, urban planning & architecture, energy efficiency, clean energy or sustainability projects, climate risk mapping and budgeting, etc.
• Strong financial and quantitative skills, including project valuation, understanding of ESG, and TCFD compliance frameworks.
• Proficiency in quantitative and qualitative data analysis.
• Familiarity with greenhouse gas emissions accounting and reporting frameworks (e.g., CDP, GHG Protocol, The Climate Registry).

How to Apply

• Phase I application (for postgraduate students): 1 September 2025 to 26 October 2025
• Phase II application (for early career professionals): 1 December 2025 to 4 January 2026

Apply to become a fellow

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Tags Environment and Sustainability Skill Development Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Others