Internship Description
Adele Teh ’25 served as fellows with the Climate Knowledge Initiative (CKI) at Columbia Business School’s Tamer Institute for Social Enterprise and Climate Change. CKI applies quantitative research tools and comparative policy analysis to evaluate interventions and translate technical findings into clear, actionable materials for future business leaders and diverse audiences with the practical, sector-specific knowledge needed to chart credible decarbonization pathways. Adele worked across the cement and nuclear energy verticals, analyzing clinker substitution, kiln electrification, and carbon capture for cement, and contributing to nuclear research covering lifetime extensions, SMRs, fusion, supply chains, and public perception.
As a fellow with the Columbia Climate Knowledge Initiative (CKI), I worked on two high‑impact projects central to CKI’s mission of closing the knowledge gap and providing evidence‑based solutions for companies striving to meet net‑zero commitments. The first focused on decarbonising cement, one of the most carbon‑intensive industries. I contributed to a summary deck for the Global Cement and Concrete Association that analysed technological pathways such as clinker substitution, kiln electrification, and carbon capture. The second project, which I led, produced a comprehensive presentation for CKI’s nuclear energy workshop. The deck covered lifetime extensions for existing reactors, small‑modular reactors, fusion research, supply chains, and public perception. By translating complex technical information into clear narratives, these deliverables bridged academic research and policy with practical considerations for business and public discourse.
My Columbia MBA coursework was directly relevant. The Business and Climate Change course sharpened my understanding of capital allocation to decarbonisation technologies and the enabling role of policy. Finance and strategy courses provided tools to evaluate costs, feasibility, and risks of different technologies. Research skills developed across academic projects helped me synthesise diverse technical literature and cost curves into data‑driven storytelling for multiple audiences.
The nuclear workshop presented notable challenges. Industry participants brought decades of expertise, so our team needed to keep pace with technical discussions while discerning which insights mattered most to them. Complexity in policy and technical specifications risked overwhelming the narrative, but through teamwork and guidance from faculty advisors we produced a coherent, accurate presentation. The process reinforced the necessity of interdisciplinary collaboration for progress on climate challenges.
This fellowship was technically enriching and personally transformative. I gained deeper appreciation for the hurdles facing industrial decarbonisation—policy uncertainty, cost pressures, and public acceptance—and improved my leadership, communication, and stakeholder management skills. Above all, the experience renewed my commitment to helping industries make data‑driven decisions that align profitability with planetary responsibility.