Climate & Circular Economy Intern
Organization & Position Summary
Furnish Forward is a circular economy social enterprise based in Metro Vancouver that works to divert quality furniture from landfill and redistribute it to individuals and families in need. Through partnerships with community organizations, property managers, and local residents, Furnish Forward helps reduce waste, lower greenhouse gas emissions, and improve access to essential household items.
By extending the life of furniture and keeping usable items out of landfills, Furnish Forward contributes to climate action while addressing an important social need in the community. The organization is building practical, community driven solutions that demonstrate how circular economy models can reduce environmental impact while improving accessibility for vulnerable populations.
This internship supports the project Climate & Circular Economy Internship: Measuring and Amplifying the Impact of Furniture Reuse, which focuses on measuring the environmental benefits of furniture reuse and developing tools that help communities understand and expand circular economy solutions.
The intern will work closely with the Furnish Forward team to research and quantify greenhouse gas reductions from furniture reuse, develop practical tools such as a carbon impact calculator, and help communicate the climate and social benefits of reuse to community partners. The role provides hands on experience in climate impact measurement, sustainability research, and community based circular economy initiatives.
Intern Responsibilities
The intern will support research, analysis, and operational activities related to the environmental and social impact of furniture reuse.
Key responsibilities include:
- Conduct research and analysis to quantify greenhouse gas emissions avoided through furniture reuse and landfill diversion
- Support the development of a carbon impact calculator that estimates climate benefits from furniture redistribution
- Contribute to the preparation of a GHG impact report/Annual Reports summarizing environmental outcomes from Furnish Forward operations
- Assist with community engagement and outreach by collaborating with partner organizations and contributing to educational materials
- Support grant research and application development, helping identify funding opportunities and contributing to proposal materials
- Assist with general administrative tasks related to project coordination, documentation, and communications
Learning and Skill Building Opportunities
This internship will provide opportunities for the intern to develop practical skills in applied climate research and nonprofit operations. The intern will:
- Gain hands on experience with climate impact measurement and greenhouse gas accounting in a real-world circular economy project
- Develop skills in data analysis, sustainability reporting, grant writing, and knowledge mobilization
- Build experience working with community organizations, non-profits, and local partners to advance climate solutions
Qualifications
Applicants should be current students with an interest in sustainability, climate solutions, or social impact work.
Required qualifications:
- Currently enrolled in a university program and in their 2nd to 4th year of study
- Studying environmental science, sustainability, climate studies, geography, public policy, business administration, or a related field
- Strong research, analytical, and writing skills
- Interest in climate action, circular economy systems, and community-based initiatives
Nice to have:
- Experience with data analysis, sustainability reporting, or carbon accounting
- Experience with communications, outreach, or educational content development
- Familiarity with circular economy or waste reduction initiatives
Furnish Forward welcomes applicants from diverse backgrounds and encourages students from underrepresented communities in sustainability and climate fields to apply.
Internship Logistics
Location: Metro Vancouver, BC. This position will be primarily remote, with occasional in person activities or field exposure related to furniture redistribution operations.
Duration: May 2026 (first week) – November 2026 (last week)
Hours: Approximately 20 hours per week
Compensation:
$21.67 per hour, plus a $500 equipment stipend for the internship period.
Application Instructions
Interested applicants are invited to submit their resume and cover letter combined into a single PDF document. Please send your application to: info@furnishforward.ca
In your cover letter, briefly describe your interest in climate action, circular economy solutions, and why you are interested in contributing to the work of Furnish Forward.
Application deadline is March 31, 2026.
Funding Acknowledgement
This internship is supported through funding provided by the Pacific Institute for Climate Solutions (PICS) as part of its program to support student internships focused on advancing climate solutions in British Columbia.