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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.

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
CJI Empire State Poll Chart
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

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

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.
Lara Skinner, center
Climate Jobs Institute Launch Celebrated

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

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

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.
Wind energy
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.

Educational Resources

In addition to our workshops, we have developed written materials to help you learn about climate change and clean energy, talk with coworkers about these topics, and explore different union-led campaigns to create green, union jobs.

Union construction workers
Explore our resources

Training

In the Winter of 2020, the Climate Jobs Institute launched its newly-developed “Climate Jobs and Offshore Wind (OSW)” training in partnership with Climate Jobs NY - a coalition of 2.6 million members.

We look forward to continuing this work and expanding it into other states, in the upcoming years.

Participants at an Offshore Wind Training
Discover our training

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

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

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.
CJI_IRA eCornell Keynote
Climate Jobs Institute Hosts Panel on Inflation Reduction Act and Workforce Development

In the News

See all news stories

Biden Promised “Good-Paying Union Jobs,” But It Will Take Organizing to Get Them

"People have to see how building a new clean energy economy improves their lives, expands their access to jobs, increases their pay and benefits, protects and supports existing good jobs, lowers energy bills, expands prosperity and makes our communities healthier,” said Skinner at the Climate Jobs Summit.
Biden Promised “Good-Paying Union Jobs,” But It Will Take Organizing to Get Them

After Successful Bike Parking Demo, DOT is Rightfully Being Asked, ‘What Now?’

A recent study by Cornell's Labor Leading on Climate recommends converting 5 percent of street parking spaces into 150,000 sheltered bike parking spaces by 2025.
After Successful Bike Parking Demo, DOT is Rightfully Being Asked, ‘What Now?’

Changing Power Sources Starts With Changing Minds

Melanie La Rosa discusses the relevance of the Climate for Change: A Complete Climate Jobs Roadmap for New York City report as an opportunity "to a climate labor force [that] could spur thousands of new jobs,” in her recent OpEd.
Changing Power Sources Starts With Changing Minds

Student Engagement

Student Research Fellowships

Experience CJI @ Cornell ILR

The Climate Jobs Institute Research Fellows will research a variety of topics related to climate change, and contribute to the creation of multi-state “climate jobs” policy papers and Canva presentations that address topics including job and training quality standards in energy efficiency and renewable energy work and exploring innovative financing models for climate mitigation activities. 

Learn more about our research fellowships
Cornell campus
Student Testimonials

Our Partner

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

Climate Jobs Resource Center Logo

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.

2022 Climate Jobs Summit

From Ambition to Action

The Climate Jobs Summit on September 21 and the accompanying Week of Action brought together climate jobs coalitions, labor leaders, union climate activists, environmental advocates, policymakers, scientists, and allies in our shared mission to build an equitable renewable energy economy powered by good union jobs.

WATCH NOW

The 2021 Climate Jobs Summit

The Second Annual Virtual Climate Jobs Summit took place on September 21, 2021, during Climate Week NYC. The Summit convened climate jobs coalitions, labor leaders, union climate activists, environmental and environmental justice advocates, clean-energy developers, policymakers, scientists, and allies in our shared mission to build an equitable renewable energy economy powered by good union jobs. Throughout the Summit, emphasis was made on the urgency of taking action to lift up America’s working families through bold climate investments that create millions of family-sustaining union careers.

Several workers in clean energy
Watch Livestream on Facebook

The 2020 Climate Jobs and Just Transition Summit

The 2020 Climate Jobs and Just Transition Summit brought together labor leaders, union climate activists, environmental and environmental justice advocates, clean-energy developers, policymakers, and scientists to discuss how to build the clean-energy economy of tomorrow with strong union jobs.

Workers building clean energy
2020 Climate Jobs and Just Transition Summit Videos

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.

 

Faculty, Staff and Fellows

  • Executive Director, Climate Jobs Institute

Skinner is the Executive Director of the Cornell ILR Climate Jobs Institute. 

  • Administrative Assistant, Climate Jobs Institute

Castro is an Administrative Assistant at the Cornell ILR Climate Jobs Institute.

  • Assistant Professor, Environmental Studies, University of California, Santa Cruz

  • Training & Education Associate, Climate Jobs Institute

Cunningham is a Training & Education Associate at the Cornell ILR Climate Jobs Institute.

  • Research Support Specialist, Climate Jobs Institute

Harper is a Research Support Specialist at the Cornell ILR Climate Jobs Institute.

  • Research & Policy Development Associate, Climate Jobs Institute

Hoek Spaans is a Research & Policy Development Associate at the Cornell ILR Climate Jobs Institute.

  • Research Support Specialist, Climate Jobs Institute

Lamm is a Research Support Specialist at the Cornell ILR Climate Jobs Institute.

  • Research Assistant, Northeastern University

Moskowitz is a Ph.D. student in World History at the College of Social Sciences and Humanities, Northeastern University.

  • Senior Research & Policy Development Associate, Climate Jobs Institute

Packman is a Senior Research & Policy Development Associate at the Cornell ILR Climate Jobs Institute.

  • Research & Policy Development Associate, Climate Jobs Institute

Raman is a Research & Policy Development Associate at the Cornell ILR Climate Jobs Institute.

  • Senior Training & Education Associate, Climate Jobs Institute

Shetler is a Senior Training & Education Associate at the Cornell ILR Climate Jobs Institute.