The Climate Talent Initiative (CTI) is an innovative new set of programs designed to meet urgent talent needs within the climate change sector, with a focus on the energy transition. Codesigned in partnership with Growald Climate Fund, this is the first climate program housed within IREX.

The Climate Talent Initiative is designed to support organizations leading the energy transition financing movement in Asia, Africa, and Latin America by addressing critical talent and leadership gaps preventing these organizations from scaling up to meet the moment. In doing so, the program both equips organizations to accelerate and scale their work and creates pathways for local talent and leaders to advance within the climate finance ecosystem, bringing a more localized perspective to the climate change movement.

Currently, the CTI consists of four related programs: The Climate Finance Fellowship and Climate Communications Fellowship,  providing finance and communications professionals in several countries across Asia, Africa and Latin America the opportunity to transition to not-for-profit climate careers; the Existing Campaigners Fellowship, providing current climate finance professionals in Southeast Asia a professional development opportunity to grow in their careers; and the Energy Transformation Senior Fellowship, providing flexible support and resources to meet the needs of climate professionals at inflection points in their careers. All 4 programs will launch and be implemented in late 2023/early 2024.

• The energy sector produces 38% of the CO2 emissions and thus is a key industry to engage to reduce our impact on climate change.
• Asia is home to some of the fastest-growing economies and accounts for around half of the world’s total emissions. At the same time, Asia’s marginalized communities are particularly vulnerable to climate-related disasters such as floods or extreme heat. As a result, Asia is a key region to engage in the fight against climate change.
• Climate finance has seen an increase of capital over the past decade with 653 billion USD invested in 2020. “However, reaching climate objectives will require climate investment to increase at least seven times by the end of this decade as well as the alignment of all other financial flows with Paris Agreement objectives.”
• Climate Finance Fellows will be mid-career finance professionals eager to bring their expertise to the climate sector.

• Develop new pathways to expand and diversify talent and leadership in the transition ecosystem, accelerating and scaling organizations leading the way on climate change.
• Invest in new and existing talent within the climate finance sector through fellowship placements, leadership development, and other skill-building, networking, and community-building.
• Elevate climate leaders from Asia, Africa, and Latin America to bring more diverse voices into the global climate finance ecosystem.
• Support a growing movement that sees workforce development and job opportunities as a key leverage point in building popular support for climate action.

For more information, email contact.CTI@irex.org.