Research Intern – Industrial Decarbonization evaluation across countries

Research Intern – Industrial Decarbonization evaluation across countries

Position Title: Research Intern – Industrial Emissions and Decarbonisation Strategies

Location: Remote / Delhi

Duration: 3–6 months

Reporting to: RA, Industrial Sustainability Team
Company Background:

The Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW) — a homegrown institution with headquarters in New Delhi — is among the world’s leading climate think tanks. The Council is also often ranked among the world’s best-managed and independent think tanks. It uses data, integrated analysis, and strategic outreach to explain — and change — the use, reuse, and misuse of resources. It prides itself on the independence of its high-quality research and strives to impact sustainable development at scale in India and the Global South. In over fourteen years of operation, CEEW has impacted over 400 million lives and engaged with over 20 state governments. Follow us on LinkedIn and X (formerly Twitter) for the latest updates.

Project Background:

As countries strive to meet their net-zero commitments, reducing industrial greenhouse gas emissions remains a critical challenge. Developed countries have reported notable reductions in overall emissions over the past two decades. However, these reductions are often attributed to greater integration of renewable energy in their power system, technological innovation, process efficiency, transition away from solid fuels and strong climate policy frameworks. The reduction in emissions attributed to industrial decarbonisation in developed economies needs to be thoroughly reviewed and assessed.

It is also important to evaluate the underlying numbers and test various hypotheses, such as whether part of the observed decline in industrial emissions in developed economies is linked to shifts in global manufacturing patterns, including the relocation of energy and emissions-intensive industries to emerging economies such as India and China. This trend, if significant, could influence the way industrial decarbonization is assessed globally.

This research project aims to develop a nuanced, evidence-based understanding of how developed countries have or have not achieved reductions in industrial emissions and what lessons this holds for emerging economies. It will also inform how India benchmarks its own progress in industrial decarbonisation.

Objectives of the Internship:

The intern will support the research team in collecting, organising, analysing, and synthesising data and literature to:

• Report observed emissions reduction in the select OECD countries across various sectors of the economy.
  
• Review NDCs of select OECD countries and identify if industrial decarbonisation features in their NDCs.
  
• Understand the drivers of industrial emissions reductions in select countries.
  
• Assess the role of structural economic/political shifts, such as changes in trade and production geography, as one of several factors influencing emissions trends.
  
• Evaluate the role of levers like carbon markets that have led to the reduction of industrial emissions in the select countries
  
• Compare India’s industrial emissions trajectory and mitigation strategies with those of key developed countries.
  

Key Responsibilities:

1. Data Collection and Organization
   

• Compile national and sectoral emissions data from various sources (e.g., IEA, UNFCCC, OECD, Eurostat, etc.) for select OECD countries
  
• Organise country-specific datasets covering sector-wise emissions and energy use across various years.
  

• Evaluate trends in industrial emissions relative to overall national emissions and GDP.
  
• Focus will be on identifying trends in emissions reduction in the industrial space across various sectors like steel, cement, aluminium etc.
  

• Conduct a structured review of peer-reviewed literature and policy reports on industrial decarbonisation strategies adopted in select countries.
  
• Identify case studies that demonstrate pathways and tools adopted by developed economies.
  

• Contribute to background notes, data visualizations, and presentations.
  
• Draft the chapter and sections for a forthcoming publication regarding the same.
  

• Participate in regular check-ins with the team.
  
• Support expert outreach and information requests as needed.
  

Qualifications:

• Current graduate or postgraduate student or recent graduate in mechanical, chemical, environmental studies, climate policy, energy systems, or a related field.
  
• Strong analytical and quantitative skills, with experience working with large datasets.
  
• Familiarity with climate and industrial emissions issues is desirable.
  
• Proficiency in Excel; experience with R/Python or data visualization platforms is an asset.
  
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
  
• Ability to work independently and deliver timely outputs.
  

Application Process:

Interested candidates should submit their applications:

• CV shortlist
  
• Short assignment
  
• 1-2 rounds of interview