Your Chance to Shine: Summer Journalism Internship at Carbon Brief

Are you a student or recent graduate with a passion for climate journalism? Carbon Brief is offering a paid, three-week summer internship that lets you work alongside award-winning journalists and visual storytellers. This hybrid placement, based near London Bridge, includes research, writing, and social media tasks—plus a travel bursary. Below, we answer your top questions about this unique opportunity.

What exactly is this summer internship?

Carbon Brief’s internship is a three-week, full-time placement (13–31 July) for students or recent graduates. You’ll join a small but global team known for its high-impact climate journalism. The role is paid at the London Living Wage (£14.80/hour) and includes an extra £100 travel bursary. You’ll work in a hybrid setup—some days in our London Bridge office, others remotely. Your supervisor will be Associate Editor Daisy Dunne. It’s a chance to experience real-world journalism, from fact-checking scientific papers to promoting your own published article on social media.

What will I do day-to-day during the internship?

You’ll shadow team members across different roles—climate science reporters, China emissions analysts, visual designers, and social media specialists. Tasks include:

• Researching and writing at least one article for Carbon Brief’s website.
• Creating visuals and social media posts to promote your story.
• Assisting with the award-winning newsletters, like the daily Carbon Brief digest.
• Scanning scientific papers and policy documents to find new stories.
• Contributing ideas for social media content across platforms such as Twitter/X and Instagram.

You won’t just observe—you’ll actively help decide how Carbon Brief covers the latest climate developments.

What key skills will I learn by the end?

The internship is designed to give you hands-on experience. You’ll learn:

1. How a small, independent journalism team operates globally.
2. The step-by-step process of writing and editing an article for a specialist audience.
3. Techniques to interrogate data, news reports, and scientific data for accuracy and impact.
4. How to use visuals—from infographics to data visualisations—to strengthen your stories.

By the end, you’ll have a published clip, improved social media skills, and insider knowledge of climate journalism.

What skills and experience do I need to apply?

We’re looking for someone with a genuine interest in climate change and a commitment to journalistic integrity. Essential requirements include:

• Some experience writing about technical topics for a general audience (including self-published blogs).
• Excellent spoken and written English.
• Competency with word processing and spreadsheets (e.g., MS Word/Excel or Google Docs/Sheets).
• An interest in journalism as a career.

Bonus: experience with social media platforms like Twitter/X or Instagram. No advanced journalism degree needed—we value enthusiasm and a willingness to learn.

Where and when does the internship take place?

The placement runs 13–31 July, with office hours 9am–5pm (Monday–Friday, including an hour lunch break). You’ll split time between our central London office near London Bridge station and remote work. The hybrid format means you need to be able to travel to London at least two or three days a week; the £100 travel bursary helps cover those costs. You’ll report to Associate Editor Daisy Dunne and collaborate with the whole team.

How do I apply for the internship?

Submit the following by email:

• A CV highlighting relevant experience.
• A covering letter (max 300 words) explaining why you’re a good fit and how you’d benefit from the placement. Include a paragraph on your specific interest in climate journalism.

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, so early submission is encouraged. For full details and the application email address, visit Carbon Brief’s website. We can’t wait to hear from you!