Financial Analyst, Environmental Networks Market

Environmental Defense's distinctive approach to environmental protection emphasizes a focus on scientific and economic disciplines and on the use of market mechanisms where applicable to reach well-crafted, durable solutions.

The organization builds teams of scientists, lawyers, and economists to investigate the scientific causes of environmental problems as well as the market forces and government policies that encourage and subsidize patterns of environmental damage. In the full range of environmental arenas (air, water, climate, soil, toxins, and wildlife), Environmental Defense seeks practical solutions, founded on science, that policy makers and industry can be urged to incorporate into practice, law, or regulation.

Environmental Markets Network 

The Network is a new effort to be launched as part of the national climate campaign. Its goal is to create a network of opinion leaders and influential professionals within the financial community to provide a strong and credible voice to Congress for developing a hard cap on carbon and a well-designed market-based trading system. 

Although pressure for legislation is building within Congress, there is a very real risk of legislation that both fails to create a well functioning market and fails to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Experience has shown that price controls and other market interventions will stifle innovation, raise transaction costs, increase uncertainty, and dampen private-sector enthusiasm for investment.

Our objective is to clearly present the rationale for a cap and trade system that will ensure that the most cost-effective solutions are allowed into the marketplace. As any Wall Street trader knows, the structure of the market is all-important. As the climate debate shifts from whether national policy will be adopted to the structure of Congressional response, we believe that it is critical to insure that the policies adopted are sufficient to meet the problem and the most efficient, cost-effective possible. To that end we aim to involve leaders and practitioners in the financial community to help make the case for market integrity, as well as conveying the economic/competitive risks of ignoring climate change. 

Overall Function: The Financial Analyst will research, model, and synthesize data concerning the financial market structure of a U.S. carbon market. This position reports to the President of the Environmental Markets Networks in New York City. 

Specific Responsibilities: 

Model the financial characteristics of a U.S. carbon market, using existing energy models from governmental, academic, and consulting sources. Prepare sensitivity and scenario analyses for market participants and policymakers. Create linkages to market models used in European Trading System (such as Point Carbon). Perform analysis of carbon market characteristics relative to other equity, debt and commodities markets. Present analyses in public forums. 

Qualifications: The ideal candidate will have:

* Bachelor's degree with concentration in finance, economics or business.
* A solid understanding of financial markets, ideally with an investment banking background. 
* A highly preferable background would be experience working with Carbon models such as those developed by MIT, EIA, ICF, or Wall Street carbon trading units.
* A well-grounded understanding of the emerging carbon market and an understanding of the opportunities and obstacles in this emerging field that could impact policy.
* A commitment to Environmental Defense's mission.
* Initiative and independence combined with the ability to work well as part of team
* Excellent financial modeling skills. 

Location: This position can be based in our New York City, Washington or Boston office. 

Salary: Commensurate with experience. 

Tenure: This is a one-year term position. 

Interested applicants should email or mail  cover letter, resume and salary requirements. 

Cheryl Pickard, PHR
HR Generalist
Environmental Defense
1875 Connecticut Avenue, NW
Washington, D.C. 20009