New Delhi, Aug 10, 2024: AshokaX, a unique initiative from Ashoka University for lifelong learners, and Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) are partnering to lead the Climate Corps Fellowship programme in India. This partnership will boost the capacity of companies and other organisations in advancing their climate goals while identifying and training the next generation of sustainability leaders.
Climate change is the most urgent and serious problem facing humanity. It requires a response that is unprecedented in ambition and reach. Addressing this scale and complexity will require an enormous growth in green talent. Too few professionals in India either work exclusively on sustainability or use sustainability skills in their core jobs. The green skills gap is large and growing and the Climate Corps Fellowship seeks to address this so India is able to industrialize without carbonizing.
“Environmental Defense Fund is thrilled to partner with Ashoka University to grow the Climate Corps Fellowship programme. Ashoka and EDF share similar approaches to critical thinking, problem-solving and innovation. This partnership will help build the next generation of sustainability talent in India. It is a pivotal step in our vision of realizing a vital earth, for everyone,” said Fred Krupp, President of the Environmental Defense Fund, a global non-profit tackling climate change with bold, game-changing solutions.
In the last three years in India, the Climate Corps Fellowship programme has recruited, trained and placed more than 80 Climate Corps fellows, across 20+ organizations including AB InBev, Amazon, Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation, ITC, JSW Cement, Mahindra, Nestlé, Tata Steel and Zomato, among others.
EDF started the Climate Corp Fellowship programme in 2008, and it is now operational in the United States, China and India. It has a 3500+ strong alumni network worldwide, with 80% directly working in sustainability roles across the world. Cumulatively, these fellows have worked with over 600 organisations on 1500 projects, including with 40% of the Fortune 100 companies. Through their efforts, they have managed about INR 14,000 crore in energy savings, equivalent to 2.2 million metric tons of reduced greenhouse gas emissions.
Climate Corps fellows work on a range of projects that lead to emissions reductions and accelerate action on sustainability goals in high-emitting underserved sectors in India such as: Freight & Logistics, Food & Agriculture, and Industrial Manufacturing.
“We are excited to partner with EDF for the Climate Corps Fellowship programme. There are many synergies between Ashoka’s and EDF's visions for creating a sustainable world. This partnership will help prepare the next generation of sustainability leaders for the complex challenges posed by climate change globally. The programme will equip the fellows with the awareness, skills, and resources to drive climate action in India. We are hopeful that this programme will make a lasting impact,” said Pramath Raj Sinha, Chairperson of the Board of Trustees and Founder at Ashoka University.
“This programme gives fellows a launching pad for a career in sustainability. Host organisations get high-quality talent to advance their sustainability goals. India’s workforce gets greener,” said Hisham Mundol, Chief Advisor of the Environmental Defense Fund in India.
In the Indian context, EDF has been working to provide support in four distinct strategic areas for the country – (1) enhancing sustainable livelihoods in agriculture, livestock, and fisheries; (2) advancing corporate action to generate shareholder value through sustainable business operations; (3) supporting government capacity in areas like carbon pricing; and (4) helping India balance economic growth and environmental sustainability imperatives.
