During my summer with the Climate Knowledge Initiative (CKI), within the Tamer Institute for Social Enterprise and Climate Change, I worked on two main projects, including cement sector decarbonization and utility-scale energy storage. These projects directly aligned with the institute’s mission to drive climate and social impact through actionable business knowledge and entrepreneurial skills.

My cement sector project focused on comparative analysis of policies and technologies, identifying key pain points, and developing strategies that contribute to reducing carbon emissions. This research was integral to developing actionable solutions that can guide industry leaders in reducing emissions. Similarly, my contributions to the energy storage project focused on analyzing global policies to promote decarbonization, thereby supporting the broader goal of facilitating a transition to a sustainable and low-carbon economy. These efforts support the institute’s goal of equipping business leaders with the tools needed to implement sustainable solutions on a global scale.

My MPA in development practice at Columbia's SIPA provided me with a strong foundation in climate policy, environmental economics, and sustainable development — all of which were essential during my time as a CKI fellow. Courses in climate policy, environmental economics, and sustainable development provided the theoretical foundation necessary to understand and analyze complex decarbonization strategies. My analytical skills, sharpened through SIPA’s rigorous curriculum, enabled me to conduct detailed research and comparative analyses, which were critical in preparing and presenting the complex policy recommendations and decarbonization pathways in accessible content for articles, slide decks, and business school case studies. Additionally, the interdisciplinary approach emphasized in my coursework allowed me to collaborate effectively with a diverse team of experts, combining insights from different fields to create comprehensive and practical solutions.

One of the main challenges I faced was navigating the complex and multifaceted nature of decarbonization in the cement sector. The varying levels of technological readiness and financial barriers across different regions made it difficult to formulate universally applicable solutions. Additionally, balancing the demands of projects — cement sector decarbonization and utility-scale energy storage— required effective time management and adaptability. I also encountered challenges in synthesizing the vast amount of data and perspectives from industry leaders, policymakers, and academic experts. However, with the support of my peers, team leads, faculty director, administrative director, and the collaborative environment at the Tamer Institute, I was able to overcome these challenges by adopting a systematic approach to research and actively seeking feedback throughout the process, allowing me to deliver meaningful results.

My time as a fellow has been an incredibly enriching experience, reinforcing my commitment to working at the intersection of climate change/action, energy, and sustainable development. I learned the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration and stakeholder engagement in developing effective and scalable climate solutions. The opportunity to work on real-world projects with direct implications for industry practices has deepened my understanding of the complexities involved in driving global decarbonization efforts. Additionally, the supportive and mission-driven culture at the Tamer Institute has inspired me to seek out similar environments in my future career, where innovation and impact are key drivers. This experience has also solidified my belief in the power of data-driven research to influence policy and industry standards, and I am eager to continue contributing to this field.