Your Complete Step-by-Step Guide to Applying for the Carbon Brief Summer Journalism Internship

Introduction

Carbon Brief, an award-winning independent publication covering climate science and policy, is offering a three-week paid journalism internship this summer (July 13–31). This hybrid role (in-person near London Bridge and remote) pays the London Living Wage (£14.80/hour) plus a £100 travel bursary. Whether you're a student or recent graduate, this guide will walk you through every step of the application process — from checking your qualifications to submitting a standout application. Follow the steps below to maximise your chances of landing this exciting opportunity.

What You Need

• Interest in climate change — a genuine enthusiasm for the topic is essential.
• Writing experience — some demonstrable experience writing about technical topics for a general audience (blog posts, articles, self-publishing counts).
• Commitment to journalistic integrity — you value accuracy and fairness.
• Basic tech skills — proficiency with word processing and spreadsheet tools (MS Word/Excel or Google equivalents).
• Excellent spoken and written English.
• Social media savvy (desirable) — experience with Twitter/X or Instagram is a plus.
• Application materials:
  • An up-to-date CV.
  • A covering letter (no more than 300 words) explaining why you're a good fit and how you'd benefit from the internship.

Step-by-Step Application Process

Use the links below to jump to each step:

1. Understand the Internship and Its Requirements
2. Reflect on Your Skills and Experience
3. Craft Your CV
4. Write Your Cover Letter (300 words max)
5. Submit Your Application

Step 1: Understand the Internship and Its Requirements

Before you apply, take time to fully understand what the internship involves. You'll shadow Carbon Brief's team members — journalists covering topics from climate science to China's emissions, as well as visuals and social media specialists. Your tasks may include:

• Researching, writing, and publishing one article.
• Promoting that article via visuals and social media.
• Assisting with the research and writing of Carbon Brief's newsletters.
• Helping find stories in scientific papers and policy documents.
• Creating and discussing social media content.

The internship runs Monday–Friday, 9am–5pm (with an hour lunch). It is hybrid: you'll spend time at the office near London Bridge and work remotely. Your supervisor will be Associate Editor Daisy Dunne.

Back to What You Need

Step 2: Assess Your Skills and Experience

Take an honest look at the required skills list. You need an interest in climate change, some writing experience on technical topics for a general audience, a commitment to journalistic integrity, basic computer literacy, and excellent English. If you're weak on one area, think about how you can still demonstrate potential — for example, if your writing experience comes from a student blog, that counts. Use the list above as a checklist.

Skip to Step 3

Step 3: Prepare Your CV

Your CV should be concise and tailored to this internship. Highlight:

• Any journalism, writing, or content creation roles (paid or volunteer).
• Relevant coursework or projects related to climate, environment, or data analysis.
• Social media management or visual design skills (if applicable).
• Demonstrations of your ability to explain complex topics to a general audience.

Tip: Use clear bullet points and avoid clutter. Keep it to one page if possible.

Go to Step 4

Step 4: Write Your Cover Letter (300 words max)

This is your chance to stand out. In no more than 300 words, explain:

• Why you are a good fit for the internship.
• How you would benefit from the experience.
• What specific aspect of Carbon Brief's work excites you (e.g., their coverage of carbon offsets or climate migration).

Be specific. Mention relevant skills or experiences and connect them to what you'll do at Carbon Brief (e.g., writing articles, creating visuals, curating social media). Keep the tone professional but personal — show your passion.

Proceed to Step 5

Step 5: Submit Your Application

Send your CV and covering letter to the application address provided on Carbon Brief's official website. The original posting did not include an email, so check their careers page for the correct contact. Label your files clearly (e.g., YourName_CV.pdf). Submit before the deadline — note that the internship dates are July 13–31, so apply well in advance.

Read Our Tips

Tips for a Successful Application

• Research Carbon Brief thoroughly. Read recent articles, newsletters, and social media posts. Mention something specific in your cover letter to show genuine interest.
• Emphasise your curiosity. The team values someone who wants to learn — mention how you hope to improve your journalism skills.
• Proofread everything. Typos or grammatical errors can hurt your chances, especially for a writing role.
• Don't overthink. The 300-word limit is strict — be concise and impactful.
• Follow instructions exactly. If they request specific file formats or subject lines, adhere to them.
• Consider your availability. You must be able to work the full three weeks (July 13–31). If you have conflicts, state them truthfully.
• Show, don't just tell. Instead of saying "I'm a good writer," link to a sample article or blog. Use examples in your cover letter.

Good luck! By following these steps, you'll present yourself as a prepared and enthusiastic candidate ready to contribute to Carbon Brief's award-winning team.