During my internship with the sustainable proteins workstream, part of the Climate Knowledge Initiative (CKI) within the Tamer Institute for Social Enterprise and Climate Change, I focused on several critical aspects of the project, such as overview on emissions in agriculture and deforestation impacts, and current and innovative sustainable solutions, such as alternative proteins. The project aligns closely with the organization’s mission to provide business leaders with curated, actionable knowledge essential for investing in scalable green technologies.

This internship brought me the opportunity to apply a variety of skills I’ve acquired during my MBA, especially in analyzing data and presenting complex information. For instance, creating new graphs and dashboards to showcase emissions in agriculture and protein supply trends required a solid understanding of both data visualization and the underlying economic factors driving those trends. My analysis of methane emissions and land-use impacts involved synthesizing environmental and financial data, where my academic training helped me draw meaningful conclusions.

One of the primary challenges I encountered was the scarcity of detailed and consistent global data on proteins (sustainable proteins was even more challenging). There were often discrepancies between data sources (absolute number and/or criteria used), making it difficult to establish a clear picture of the current situation. Estimating the potential adoption of solutions, such as alternative proteins or methane reduction technologies, also proved challenging due to limited real-world data. Additionally, the necessity to be closer to consumers to gather more accurate information on market trends became apparent, as much of the available data lacked depth and relevance at the consumer level. Another difficulty was the relatively lower emissions from protein production compared to industries like oil and gas, which diminishes the perceived importance of accurate reporting in this sector. This lack of prioritization and customer resistance further reduces the quality and availability of reliable data. These challenges pushed me to think critically about how to present and interpret the information at hand while maintaining clarity and accuracy in the overall narrative.

This experience has been incredibly valuable in shaping my understanding of the sustainable proteins sector and the broader challenges related to decarbonization in agriculture. I gained a deeper appreciation through discussions with experts, debriefing readings, and collaborative analysis with my team. Identifying the most appropriate direction for businesses, given the level of transparency and data availability, was both challenging and intellectually stimulating. I also realized the critical importance of being consumer-focused in this sector — innovations that have the potential to save the world won’t succeed unless consumer habits change. Therefore, it is essential to develop products that are not only sustainable but also appealing to customers.

Overall, this experience enhanced my knowledge on the topic and allowed me to practice my communication skills in a friendly and stimulating environment, reinforcing my commitment to contributing to sustainable innovation in the future.