5 Leading Universities Join Pilot Program; Coca-Cola and
City of Las Vegas
First to Sign Up to Hire Fellows through First of its Kind
Initiative
May 9, 2013 – Washington, DC – The
Association of Climate Change Officers (ACCO) has announced
the launch of a new post-graduate climate fellowship
program, Future CCOs (Future Climate Change Officers). The
Future CCOs program is designed to connect masters level
graduates who have focused their studies upon climate change
or sustainability with companies, universities and
government entities, the program will link employers seeking
talented climate change practitioners with graduates from an
elite group of universities with recognized programs.
"For nearly five years, climate,
sustainability and environmental professionals have turned
to ACCO to hear insights from their peers across sectors,"
said Daniel Kreeger, Executive Director of the Association
of Climate Change Officers. "We can now leverage the
substantial community that we’ve established and begin
forging the path from student to climate change officer,
while developing best practices and sharing valuable
experiences."
The Future CCOs program will ultimately
establish a professional track for graduates pursuing
opportunities in the profession of climate change
leadership. The program forges a professional development
and knowledge exchange network with university partners at
the Arizona State University Global Institute of
Sustainability, Duke University’s Nicholas School of the
Environment, George Mason University, the Bren School of
Environmental Science & Management at the University of
California Santa Barbara and the Yale School of Forestry &
Environmental Studies.
"Arizona State University is pleased to
participate in the Future CCOs program," remarked Rob
Melnick, executive director and chief operating officer for
ASU's Global Institute of Sustainability. "It's a great
opportunity for our sustainability graduates to network and
bring proven, applied solutions to employers seeking
talented professionals for their climate challenges and
initiatives."
"Our graduates have the knowledge to
understand the complexities and pluralities of today’s
environmental challenges, and the practical skills to devise
and implement effective solutions. These strengths will
bring value to the fellowship program and to the ACCO
members employing the fellows," said William L. Chameides,
dean of Duke University’s Nicholas School of the
Environment. "We appreciate the opportunity for our
graduates to participate in this groundbreaking program."
Future CCOs will transform the way that
employers provide professional development for young talent
in the climate change arena by providing them access to the
insights and experiences of their peers addressing similar
and related projects in other organizations. The program
will enable employers to hire young talent for six to
twenty-four months to tackle climate-centric projects
(identified by the employer prior to hiring the fellow).
This approach will enable employers the opportunity to
determine the value of the individual’s contribution, which
will create permanent job opportunities in many instances
where fellows are successful with their project assignments.
Amongst the confirmed employers for the
Future CCOs program are The Coca-Cola Company and the City
of Las Vegas. Program fellows will tackle projects such as
supply chain management, greenhouse gas reduction
strategies, adaptation planning, and disclosure. Each fellow
will be assigned to at least one long-term climate-centric
project, and will be required to develop a case study that
will be published by ACCO and shared throughout the Future
CCOs network.
"Reducing greenhouse gas emissions
throughout our value chain is a priority for The Coca-Cola
Company," said Bryan Jacob, Director of Climate Protection.
"We are excited to join a program that cultivates fresh
talent as well as infuses our system with insights from our
peers in industry, government and academia."
"Las Vegas is excited to have the
opportunity to partner with ACCO on this fellowship
program," said Tom Perrigo, Chief Sustainability Officer of
the City of Las Vegas. "These fellows will be a part of the
'Downtown Renaissance' that is transforming the urban core
of Las Vegas into a hot spot for technology, business and
entertainment built on a foundation of community and
sustainability."
University partners will play an advisory
role to ensure that case studies are well constructed and
will effectively educate network participants, as well as be
integrated into university curriculum. Applicant eligibility
in the pilot program will be exclusive to recent graduates
of the five university partners.
The deadline to apply for an ACCO Future
CCOs fellow for Summer 2013 positions is June 15, 2013.
There are a limited number of spots available, so interested
employers are encouraged to apply now at
www.ACCOonline.org/FutureCCos. For more information,
please email
fellows@ACCOonline.org.
# # #
The Association of Climate Change Officers
is a 501(c)(3) non-profit membership organization for
executives and officials worldwide in industry, government,
academia and the non-profit community. ACCO’s mission is to
define, develop and support the functions, resources and
communities necessary for effective organizational
leadership in addressing climate-related risks and
opportunities. For more information about ACCO, please visit
www.accoonline.org.
