Climate Jobs Institute

Union woman worker wearing a hard hat and standing in front of solar panels

The Climate Jobs Institute is guiding the nation’s transition to a strong, equitable, and resilient clean energy economy by pursuing three aims: to tackle the climate crisis; to create high-quality jobs; and to build a diverse, inclusive workforce.

Climate Jobs Institute Celebrated

Jan. 25 Launch Event

CJI is the first U.S. academic institution focused on conducting research and developing policies for governments nationwide to support clean energy targets and create union jobs that help drive a more inclusive and equitable economy. The event was attended by union leaders; state, local and national officials; non-profit organizations; members of the public, and many others across the nation.

Mar 31, 2023

Cornell ILR Empire State Poll Shows New York State Residents, From Long Island to the North Country to Western NY, Support Strong Climate Action with High-Quality Job Creation

The Cornell ILR Empire State Poll (ESP) 2022 shows that over 68% of New York residents are concerned about the impacts of climate change and more than 70% of New Yorkers have been impacted by climate change in the past five years

Cornell ILR Empire State Poll Shows New York State Residents, From Long Island to the North Country to Western NY, Support Strong Climate Action with High-Quality Job Creation

Mar 8, 2023

Skinner presents at the White House Forum on Campus and Community-Scale Climate Change Solutions

Skinner, Executive Director of the Climate Jobs Institute at Cornell ILR, presents at the White House Forum on Campus and Community-Scale Climate Change Solutions

Skinner presents at the White House Forum on Campus and Community-Scale Climate Change Solutions

Jan 25, 2023

Climate Jobs Institute Launch Celebrated

Union leaders, elected officials, non-profit organizations and others across the nation are lauding the growth of the ILR School initiative.

Climate Jobs Institute Launch Celebrated

Research and Policy

See additional research and policy resources

May 19, 2022

New Report from Cornell's Labor Leading on Climate Provides Roadmap to Exceed NYC Climate Goals, Create Over 1 Million Jobs

A new report released today by Cornell's Labor Leading on Climate in collaboration with the Climate Jobs NY coalition outlines a comprehensive climate jobs action plan for NYC to fight the climate crisis, make NYC safer and address racial and economic inequity by investing in a pro-worker renewable energy transition.

New Report from Cornell's Labor Leading on Climate Provides Roadmap to Exceed NYC Climate Goals, Create Over 1 Million Jobs

Mar 1, 2022

A New Report from The Worker Institute Outlines a Climate Jobs Agenda for Maine

A new report released today by climate and labor experts at Cornell University examines the intersecting crises and then offers a series of “climate jobs” recommendations for Maine.

A New Report from The Worker Institute Outlines a Climate Jobs Agenda for Maine

Feb 2, 2022

New Report Details how Rhode Island Can Create a Clean-Energy, Worker-Centered Economy

A new report released today by climate and labor experts at Cornell University in collaboration with the Climate Jobs Rhode Island Coalition outlines a comprehensive climate jobs action plan to put Rhode Island on the path to building an equitable and resilient clean-energy economy.

New Report Details how Rhode Island Can Create a Clean-Energy, Worker-Centered Economy

Education and Training

The Climate Jobs Institute works with our partners to design and deliver training for union members on climate change and clean energy.

Our training provides affiliate leaders and members with the knowledge, confidence and motivation to participate in key debates and decision-making processes on climate protection and energy policy. Our objective is to build a robust, equitable clean energy economy both locally and nationwide.

Events

See all Climate Jobs Institute Events

Feb 27, 2023

Skinner to deliver York University's GLRC 2023 John Eleen Annual Lecture in Global Labour

Skinner, Executive Director of the Climate Jobs Institute at Cornell's ILR School, to deliver the keynote address for the 2023 John Eleen Annual Lecture in Global Labour, “Labour and the Climate Crisis: Developing a Worker- and Equity-Centered Clean Energy Economy,” for the Global Labour Research Centre at York University.

York University Lecture Announcement Poster

Skinner to deliver York University's GLRC 2023 John Eleen Annual Lecture in Global Labour

Feb 1, 2023

Climate Jobs Institute Milestone Marked

The institute is a critical partner in New York’s nation-leading effort to address climate change, Labor Commissioner Roberta Reardon said.

Alex Colvin speaks at the formal launch of the Climate Jobs Institute.

Climate Jobs Institute Milestone Marked

Jan 12, 2023

Climate Jobs Institute Hosts Panel on Inflation Reduction Act and Workforce Development

On January 11th, Cornell's ILR Climate Jobs Institute hosted a panel discussion on the Inflation Reduction Act. The panel drew on the expertise of labor leaders, policymakers, and workforce development professionals.

Climate Jobs Institute Hosts Panel on Inflation Reduction Act and Workforce Development

In the News

See all news stories

Feb 22, 2023

New Climate Jobs Institute Allows for Research Addressing Climate Change, Aims to Create More Jobs

The Industrial and Labor Relations School launched their Climate Jobs Institute on Jan. 25. The Institute will help New York state transition to a stronger clean energy economy by addressing the climate crisis and creating more jobs through continued cutting-edge research.

New Climate Jobs Institute Allows for Research Addressing Climate Change, Aims to Create More Jobs

Feb 6, 2023

Relax, New Yorkers. Nobody’s Coming for Your Gas Stove.

“We’re going to erode public support for this climate work if we’re not creating high-quality jobs and careers that are actually family and community sustaining,” says Lara Skinner, director of the Climate Jobs Institute.

Relax, New Yorkers. Nobody’s Coming for Your Gas Stove.

Dec 26, 2022

An offshore wind project being built with union labor could be exactly what energy workers need

“The majority of [wind-related] jobs are going to be in the manufacturing supply chain,” says Lara Skinner, so the country needs to prioritize the development of domestic renewable supply chains.

An offshore wind project being built with union labor could be exactly what energy workers need

Student Engagement

Our Partner

Watch Lara Skinner discuss her work which helped spark the formation of Climate Jobs New York (CJNY).

The Climate Jobs Institute is the university partner of the Climate Jobs National Resource Center (CJNRC).

The Institute provides research, education and training programs to unions on climate change and clean energy across multiple U.S. states.

As in New York, this work will help unions proactively and positively engage in climate change and clean energy work and forge a stronger link in the public discourse between the crises of inequality and climate change.

Hear from labor leaders, and members, some of whom work on the frontlines of climate change, about the urgency to take on climate change by building a new renewable energy industry powered by good, family-sustaining union jobs.

About the Institute

Find out more about the Climate Jobs Institute

The Climate Jobs Institute is guiding New York and the nation’s transition to a strong, equitable, and resilient clean energy economy that tackles the climate crisis, creates high-quality jobs, confronts race and gender inequality, and builds a diverse and inclusive workforce. We help policy makers and labor, environmental and industry leaders navigate this historic transition through cutting-edge applied research, deep relationships with on-the-ground partners, and innovative training and education programs.