Details for Companies

How the program works

EDF Climate Corps is an innovative summer fellowship program that places top-tier MBA and MPA students in companies, cities and universities to build the business case for energy efficiency. Working directly with staff in operations, finance, and corporate sustainability, fellows work to develop a customized energy plan that demonstrates the financial and environmental benefits of investing in energy efficiency.  

EDF recruits host organizations and fellows for Climate Corps and matches them based on fellow qualifications, host needs, and overall fit for the program. EDF provides a mandatory training on energy efficiency in May, online collaboration tools and expert resources, and an EDF project manager for support. Climate Corps host organizations provide senior-level support, a day-to-day supervisor, and access to energy use data. Host organizations commit to reducing their energy use, acting on fellow recommendations where feasible, and providing updates on implementation of energy efficiency measures at six and 18 months following the fellowship.

At the culmination of the program, EDF aggregates the total projected investment dollars, energy savings (kWh) and cost savings ($) of the energy efficiency recommendations made by the fellows. Though EDF publicly announces the aggregate numbers and publicizes the participation of host organizations in our marketing materials, EDF does not refer to any specific organization's program or results publicly without prior written approval.

Important details for companies

• Fellowships last a minimum of 10 weeks
• Companies pay fellows summer salary of $1,250/week and reimburses for travel expenses to the EDF Climate Corps training
• An energy audit should be performed before fellows arrive or comprehensive energy information should be readily available
• EDF will not refer to any company's program or results publicly without prior written approval
• Companies should be committed to reducing their energy use, providing timely access to key employees and implementing feasible recommendations

Resources provided by companies

EDF has identified key factors that help ensure a productive Climate Corps fellowship experience. EDF Climate Corps Companies agree to:

• Provide a dedicated, enthusiastic and supportive high-level project sponsor, as well as an accessible day-to-day manager
• Make relevant records and information available to the fellow (energy bills, purchase records, facilities records, etc.)
• Ensure the fellow has adequate support from relevant departments, such as facilities, IT and purchasing
• Invest in a building energy audit before EDF Climate Corps fellows arrive, as fellows will use the results to conduct financial analyses. If no energy audit has been performed or data is out of date, fellows should have access to internal engineers with the capability to identify efficiency upgrades
• Pay for the fellow's salary and reimburse travel expenses to the EDF Climate Corps training
• Execute the investment plan presented by the fellow, where feasible
• Continue to track energy use on a ongoing basis
• Provide EDF with updates on energy use, investments and implementation of energy efficiency measures six months and 18 months after fellowship is complete

How fellows are selected and matched

EDF Climate Corps fellows are MBA and MPA students chosen for their ability to do technical and financial analyses, manage projects, and facilitate organizational change.

• How the matching process works
• Fellow qualifications
• Past participants

Get involved

Please contact us if you are interested in hiring a Climate Corps fellow in 2012. See the host company application form [PDF].