Details for Universities

At Elizabeth City State University [PDF], Tyrone Davis II developed a plan to cut energy use in four buildings with lighting, heating and cooling, and window upgrades, which could cut energy costs by over 15 percent and save over $31,000 per year. Saving money by saving energy makes even more sense in tough economic times.

EDF Climate Corps fellows help organizations turn money-saving opportunities into reality. Join the growing list of forward-thinking organizations that participate in EDF Climate Corps.   

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 eighteen 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 universities

• Fellowships last a minimum of 10 weeks
• Fellow attends mandatory training in May
• EDF pays a fellow $12,500 for the summer fellowship and pays for travel expenses to attend EDF Climate Corps training

Resources provided by hosts

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

• Make relevant records and information available to the fellow (energy bills, purchase records, facilities records, etc.)
• Provide a dedicated, enthusiastic and supportive high-level project sponsor, as well as an accessible day-to-day manager
• 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
• Execute the investment plan presented by the fellow, where feasible
• Continue to track energy use on a ongoing basis
• Provide EDF with updates on implementation of energy efficiency measures at six, 12, 18, 24 and 36 months following the fellowship

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 university application form [PDF].

Partnership with Second Nature

EDF and Second Nature work together to help minority serving colleges and universities become more sustainable. Second Nature promotes climate action by helping senior university leaders to make sustainability a priority, and EDF offers the on-campus expertise to develop custom energy efficiency plans. 

About Second Nature

Second Nature is a Boston-based nonprofit organization that works to accelerate movement towards a sustainable future by helping senior college and university leaders in making healthy, just, and sustainable living the foundation of all learning and practice in higher education. Second Nature is the lead supporting organization of the American College & University Presidents' Climate Commitment (ACUPCC), which has been signed by more than 675 college and university presidents who are committed to eliminating carbon emission on campus and training students to help society address the climate crisis.