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.

Climate change is the most critical issue facing humanity today. To ensure a habitable planet, we must urgently and strategically invest in climate change strategies, including moving the global power sector away from fossil fuels to renewable energy. Civil society organizations are doing crucially important work to address climate change. However, these organizations are currently experiencing talent and leadership gaps that prevent them from meeting the moment and achieving their transformative potential. 

CTI supports organizations leading the climate change movement around the world by bringing new talent into the field and nurturing existing talent therein. In doing so, the program both equips organizations to accelerate and scale their work and creates pathways to enter and advance within the climate change ecosystem.

Currently, CTI consists of four programs: 

The Climate Finance Fellowship, de-risking the transition of midcareer finance professionals from the Global South into the nonprofit climate finance ecosystem through a 12-month professional placement, as well as climate and leadership development training, coaching, and community building. This fellowship launched in late 2023 with 19 fellows placed in 11 countries worldwide. 

The Just Energy Transition Fellowship, nurturing existing senior talent in the just energy transition ecosystem. This fellowship launched in April 2024 with 5 fellows worldwide.

The Existing Campaigners Fellowship, providing climate campaigners and energy policy professionals in Asia a project-based secondment opportunity at an international NGO to grow and apply their skills and bring learning back to their home organizations. This fellowship will launch in September 2024.

The African Climate Legal Fellowship Program, bringing experienced lawyers to the environmental public interest sector in Africa and providing pathways for new talent to enter the public interest sector. Fellows will also benefit from mentorship, coaching and leadership development, training in environmental and climate change law and science, and community building. This 12-month fellowship will launch in Fall 2024 with approximately 10 fellows.

• The energy sector produces 38% of the CO2 emissions and thus is a key industry to engage to reduce our impact on 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.”
• There are more lawyers between 42nd and 52nd street in New York than there are in the whole of South Africa.

• Develop new pathways to expand and diversify talent and leadership in the climate change and energy transition ecosystem, accelerating and scaling organizations leading the way on climate change.
• Invest in new and existing talent within the climate change sector through fellowship placements, leadership development, and other skill-building, networking, and community-building.
• 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.