Sustainability & Business

Environmental responsibility and sustainability are sometimes thought of as contrary to good business practices. We think sustainability is good business, but even where it seems to conflict with other goals, businesses have an obligation to help protect the ecosystems on which life depends. Reducing unnecessary use of resources, conserving energy, and eliminating waste all reduce costs at the same time they protect the health of people and natural ecosystems.

This internship is about implementing sustainable practices in business situations. Interns will explore policies and practices that promote sustainability, ways to help small businesses become more sustainable. Activities will vary depending on the semester and interested partners, but we anticipate that this internship will include some or all of the following activities:

• Research best sustainability practices used in business operations and meet with local business owners and managers to explore how these practices can be promoted here
• Help develop checklists of factors that affect sustainability (such as facilities, purchasing, training, and waste management) and use that checklist to assess current conditions
• Create and distribute material to help businesses to become more sustainable;
• Help prepare easy-to-use self-assessment checklists for managers to monitor their own progress
• Help prepare an up-to-date inventory of GHG emissions and an action plan to reduce emissions; help businesses develop ways to support local and regional Climate Protection Agreements
• Work with staff to develop and implement strategies for current and long-term sustainability

These unpaid internships are for academic credit, subject to the requirements of your college or university. Internships generally require 10–12 hours per week plus some form of written or oral report, but be sure to check the internship requirements at your college or university.