2025 Sustainability Fellowship: Industrial Energy/Emissions Hotspot Identification & Reduction Action Planning
Industrial Energy/Emissions Hotspot Identification & Reduction Action Planning
ProAmpac
Cincinnati, Ohio
Position is fully remote
About the Sustainability Fellows Program:
UNH Sustainability Fellowships pair exceptional students from UNH and across the U.S. with municipal, educational, corporate, and non-profit partners to work on transformative sustainability initiatives each summer. Sustainability Fellows undertake challenging projects that are designed to create an immediate impact, offer a quality learning experience, and foster meaningful collaboration. Fellows work on-site (or online) with their mentors at partner organizations during the summer, supported by a network of Fellows, partners, alumni, and the UNH Team.
A detailed description of one Fellowship follows. To learn more about the other Fellowships offered this year, and for application instructions, click here.
Eligibility:
Students and recent graduates who will have earned an undergraduate degree from ANY accredited college or university by May 2025 (current seniors, recent graduates, and graduate/PhD students).
About the Host Organization:
ProAmpac is a global manufacturer of flexible film, foil, and fiber packaging solutions built on material science. Through strategic growth, our network has spread across the globe. We have more than 6,500 collaborative and self-motivated employees working in 51 manufacturing centers of excellence and supported by 10 award-winning graphic design centers. ProAmpac serves more than 5,000 customers in 90 countries.
We are moving flexible packaging forward by redefining innovation through collaboration —not just within our teams but also with our customers and suppliers. ProAmpac brings brand owners and packaging experts together to generate fresh thinking, accelerate advanced technology and increase speed-to-market, package customization and consumer differentiation. We are guided in our work by five core values that are the basis for our success: Integrity, Intensity, Innovation, Involvement, and Impact.
For more information, please check out our website and 2024 IMPACT Report.
About the Fellowship – Project Description:
ProAmpac, a global leader in flexible packaging solutions, has committed to achieving net-zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2050 through the Science-Based Targets initiative (SBTi). As part of this commitment, ProAmpac has completed its Scope 1 and 2 GHG inventory, identifying energy consumption as the primary contributor to these emissions. Achieving net-zero emissions by 2050 requires a relentless focus on energy inputs and their associated emissions. However, to maximize the effectiveness our work must be grounded in data, bolstered via thorough research and analysis, and refined by real world experience.
The Fellowship will entail two phases: First, our Fellow will utilize our scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions and primary activity data to identify energy and emissions hotspots across our global portfolio of sites. Second, with that analysis as a foundation, the Fellow will develop a report outlining practical, scalable, and actionable recommendations to reduce energy consumption and associated GHG emissions. To inform this report, the Fellow will develop and implement a framework for modeling anticipated implementation costs, GHG impact, energy savings, and payback period for both individual actions and cumulative recommendations, using information gleaned from review of select site energy audits, additional desk research, and interviews of staff who are on site. Lastly, depending on time and the Fellow’s interest, there is also an opportunity to assist in drafting a companywide energy policy.
The Fellows work will cumulate in the presentation of their findings to the sustainability leadership team and site presidents, as applicable. The Fellow’s work will directly influence ProAmpac’s sustainability strategy and set the stage for a company-wide effort to reduce operational GHG emissions as we work towards our net-zero commitment, catalyzing meaningful change and potentially eliminating thousands of tons of GHG emissions.
Outcomes
- A detailed report identifying energy and emissions hotspots across ProAmpac’s operations; by division/facility type.
- A prioritized list of recommendations for energy reduction, including low-cost and high-impact initiatives; by division/facility type.
- A cost-benefit analysis of the recommended energy-saving initiatives, and estimated GHG impact of proposed actions.
- A presentation summarizing findings and recommendations, designed for corporate and operational audiences.
Desired Qualifications:
We are looking for candidates with a degree in one of the following: Engineering, Sustainability, or related. Experience in or knowledge of energy systems, the GHG protocol, and energy flows in the context of manufacturing is preferred. However, all candidates who fit the following criteria are encouraged to apply:
- Intellectually curious.
- Critical thinker with an eye on systems level interactions.
- Self-motivated with the ability to work independently and collaboratively.
- Effective communicator, including distilling complex technical information for diverse audiences.
- Microsoft Office suite proficiency (Excel, PowerPoint, Word, etc.).
- Strong research and technical writing skills.
- Strong data analysis and quantitative capabilities.
Location: ProAmpac, 12025 Tricon Road, Cincinnati, OH.
Work will be conducted fully remote. However, if the Fellow is located close to one of our manufacturing sites and has access to transportation, we are happy to coordinate an on-site visit.
Mentors: Ian Moore, Corporate Sustainability Specialist, ProAmpac.
Compensation:
$8,000
(taxable and distributed on a two-week payroll cycle over the course of the fellowship)
Expectations:
Fellows are expected to be primarily dedicated to their assigned projects throughout the summer, and also participate in a variety of networking activities, professional development opportunities, and presentations coordinated by UNHSI. Specifically, Fellows are expected to:
Attend a mandatory virtual orientation prior to the start of the Fellowship term, May 27 & 28, 2025.
Work full-time for the partner organization, May 27 - August 15, 2025
Complete 400 hours of work, including project work with host organization as well as UNHSI activities, between May 27 - August 15, 2025.
Complete a Fellowship project according to the work plan.
Participate in weekly webinars and advisory group meetings.
Present work at in person launch event on June 17 and 18, 2025 and virtual final presentation on August 7.
Engage in additional professional development, networking, and advisory activities as offered.
Provide and receive feedback at the end of the Fellowship.
Apply by February 9 at
https://www.unh.edu/sustainability/sustainability-fellowships