During my time with the Climate Knowledge Initiative (CKI), within the Tamer Institute for Social Enterprise and Climate Change, I focused on the decarbonization of food systems, specifically proteins. CKI is dedicated to bring actionable decarbonization strategies and technologies to the private sector, bridging the gap between evidence-based solutions and investment. As part of the sustainable proteins team, I researched both the direct and indirect emissions from current protein systems, as well as potential solutions across the value chain.

My analysis encompassed not only livestock emissions but also deforestation linked to producing animal feed, and explored alternatives to reduce these impacts. This included investigating solutions for methane reduction, sustainable land use, alternative feed options, and innovative alternative protein sources. We collaborated with experts for feedback to validate and refine our research. Finally, I contributed to building a slide deck that effectively communicated our findings to a business audience.

I began my work with CKI during the final semester of my MA in climate and society. My course on Food Systems and Climate Interactions equipped me with a systemic approach to analyzing food system impacts, which was crucial in shaping the narrative of our research. In food systems, it’s essential to avoid a one-size-fits-all approach and instead recognize the interconnected nature of the problem — it's a system by definition. My Climate Change Mitigation course deepened my understanding of the decarbonization potential of various technologies. This knowledge enabled us to adopt a dual approach: exploring alternative proteins while also addressing how to decarbonize existing animal-based protein systems, recognizing that livestock will remain a key part of the food system. Lastly, these courses, alongside my Application in Climate and Society course, enhanced my ability to frame and translate complex climate data into insights that are accessible to non-expert audiences.

During my time at CKI, I faced several challenges, particularly around data availability and building a coherent storyline. Emissions accounting for food systems varies significantly across sources, and not all the data we needed was readily accessible. Accurate emissions data, and their practical visualization, is essential for CKI to assess and communicate the decarbonization potential of various solutions and to properly frame the issue at hand. Additionally, the technologies to decarbonize proteins — whether methane-reducing feed additives, vaccines, or alternative proteins — are still in the early stages, unlike more established technologies such as renewable energy. Their market projections are uncertain and often volatile, and the food sector remains one of the most underinvested areas in climate action. By stepping back, consulting with field experts, and reassessing the value our research could bring, we were able to adapt our approach and work with the available data. Ultimately, presenting a holistic bundle of solutions, rather than searching for a single "silver bullet," became a central part of our research strategy.

A key takeaway from my time at CKI has been the importance of crafting the right narrative. Our goal wasn’t to produce a purely academic report, but to inspire action within the private sector in one of the most complex systems we face, food systems, without oversimplifying the issue. Presenting complex data in a way that is both actionable and easy to understand is crucial to translating climate research into real-world impact. Food systems remain one of the most underinvested areas in climate action, and while solutions are still in development, rethinking and accelerating attention and investment in this critical system — responsible for feeding the world and emitting a third of global emissions — has never been more urgent. Additionally, conducting climate solutions research at the Business School, after studying at the Climate School, underscored the importance of collaboration across disciplines and industries. If we aim to deploy effective climate solutions at scale, both perspectives are essential. Bringing these two approaches together has been an invaluable experience, and I’m eager to continue fostering such collaborations in my career to drive impactful climate action at scale.