Deadline:
May 05, 2024
Location(s)
Online United States of America
Overview
The Carbon Reduction Challenge is a competition focused on empowering students to become part of the climate change solution. Students work with an organization on a project that achieves significant reductions in carbon emissions and yields cost savings, while creating a meaningful experience for the student to learn more about advocating for climate action.
Details
For Students
After learning about drivers of climate change and concepts of sustainable business, students work with organizations to develop projects that can reduce CO2 emissions and save money. At the end of the semester, students gather to present their work and compete to see who had the most impactful projects.
How it works
The Carbon Reduction Challenge is a summer program that runs from May to August.
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Apply for the Carbon Reduction Challenge: Applications will open for the Summer 2024 challenge in March and will close in May. Check back in March for updates!
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Learn about the drivers of climate change: We’ll run an orientation at the beginning of the summer where we’ll teach you about the main sources of greenhouse gas emissions and simple ways you can have an impact in curbing those emissions.
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Develop a carbon reduction project: You’ll work with stakeholders at your organization to identify a project that can reduce CO2 emissions while saving money.
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Receive regular feedback: You’ll have check-ins with Georgia Tech faculty experts who can help you make progress on your project. We’ll also update this page with resources such as examples on how to calculate CO2 emissions and cost savings.
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Submit a final report to your organization: You’ll write up your calculations and recommendations as a report and submit it to your organization so that they can consider implementing them. We’ll provide you with a template for this report.
- Compete for cash prizes at Georgia Tech: We’ll organize a final competition where you can present your project and compete for thousands of dollars in cash prizes.
How long is the Challenge?
The Challenge is conducted from mid May to early August, designed to match the length of the average 1-semester co-op or internship duration.
Opportunity is About
Eligibility
Candidates should be from:
Description of Ideal Candidate
Who is eligible to participate in the Challenge?
Any undergraduate or graduate student can join the Challenge! All majors/departments are welcome. We have worked with students from Georgia Tech, Emory, Agnes Scott, Kennesaw State, and more. There are also ways to participate remotely.
Do I need to be based in Atlanta to participate in the Challenge?
No. We have had students successfully participate remotely, while based in other states. There are no specific requirements for in-person meetings/appearances. We have even printed out posters to present in the final poster expo on behalf of students who participated remotely. Such students are fully eligible for prizes.
Dates
Deadline: May 05, 2024
Cost/funding for participants
The Carbon Reduction Challenge offers many benefits that will increase your to employability and deliver valuable skills in project management. Key benefits include:
- Carbon literacy skills that will help you succeed as a professional in a carbon-constrained economy
- Calculation of economic benefits/return on investment for carbon reduction strategies
- Practice in being a “sustainability ambassador” no matter your formal role in a company
- Learn how to shepherd a project from ideation to implementation in the context of large, complex organizations
- Learn how be effective and efficient in team collaborations
- Hone your professional communication and pitch skills
- Network with key stakeholders across the public and private sectors at an end-of-challenge poster expo
- There’s really not any downside to participating in the Carbon Reduction Challenge – it’s a relatively low time commitment, it’s a good learning opportunity, it helps you make a good impression and build relationships with others at your company. You’ll also develop a good sense for understanding where carbon emissions can be reduced in the workplace. And if your project gets implemented, you’re having a real impact as well a chance to win thousands of dollars in prize money!
Un-save Opportunity
Internships, scholarships, student conferences and competitions.
