Climate Action Planning

The UBC Micro-certificate in Climate Action Planning: Foundations, Finance and Implementation provides a basic understanding of climate science, impacts and policies, and helps you identify key stakeholders related to the specific aspects and geographic areas that interest you.

By the end of this program, you’ll be able to:

• explain the basic science of climate change: its causes and consequences
• identify the role of international agreements, including the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and Conference of the Parties (COP)
• describe the disproportionate impacts of climate change on marginalized communities and the need for climate justice
• know the leading work of Indigenous Peoples in climate movements, international climate movements and UNDRIP commitments
• use tools to estimate the costs associated with climate action versus business-as-usual scenarios
• weigh various financing options for implementing climate mitigation and adaptation action that are aligned with your respective local economy, including federal and provincial grants, various sources from the capital markets and innovative cost-sharing and cost-recovery mechanisms
• apply the knowledge gained to your own institutional mandate, whether it is in agriculture, forestry, planning, services, energy, mining, transportation or another sector

This program is designed for local policy makers, planners, industry players and anyone interested in learning the foundation and practicalities of climate action planning—the goal of the program is to build capacity in different sectors to advance climate action. A background in climate change is not required.

It is recommended that learners have a specific project in mind for their institution, organization or community to use in various exercises and projects so they can apply the learning outcomes to their own climate mandates.

The total cost of the program is $1,950. First ten registrants save 20% by registering before June 14, 2024.  

All fees are in Canadian dollars and subject to change. Fees are subject to GST where applicable. Fees may be paid by Visa®, Visa® Debit, Mastercard®, American Express®, money order or certified cheque.

For details on UBC’s payment policies, please see Refunds, Cancellations and Transfers.

This micro-certificate program consists of three parts of two to four weeks each. Each part covers a different thematic topic with its own detailed syllabus and is led by a separate instructor. Combined, the program take approximately 50 hours to complete.

• Part 1: The Science and Action of Climate Change – 4 weeks / 20 hours
• Part 2: Climate Change and the Economy: Where is the money? – 4 weeks / 20 hours
• Part 3: Sector-specific Climate Actions: Critical components – 2 weeks / 10 hours

Required course

This part-time 100% online program is instructor supported and combines real-time online sessions with independent study.

Outside of the interactive, real-time sessions, review video lectures, reading materials, videos and podcasts, and work on exercises. There is a strong focus on applied knowledge and students are encouraged to incorporate real-life climate action planning mandates into their offline exercises.

Case studies are also used extensively throughout the program and may be presented by guest speakers who are engaged in active climate action projects.

Expected effort

Expect to spend approximately five hours a week completing all learning activities, including attending the real-time online sessions.

Technology requirements

To take this program, you need access to:

• an email account
• a computer, laptop or tablet, using Windows or macOS
• the latest version of a web browser (or previous major version release)
• a reliable internet connection
• a video camera and microphone (to access real-time sessions)

Textbooks and materials

All course content is provided in the online courses.

Assessment

You are assessed on successfully completing an end-of-the-program assignment that requires you to apply the learning outcomes from the three mini courses to your institutional climate mandates. The assignment will be assessed by the instructor and detailed feedback will be provided.

While you’re not assessed on your attendance of the real-time online sessions, we encourage you to attend so you don’t miss the opportunity to learn and interact with your instructors and other participants. All sessions are recorded in case you miss one.

This micro-certificate program was made possible by funding from UBC's Continuous Learning and Advancement Fund (CLAF) and the Pacific Institute for Climate Solutions (PICS).

Our program instructors are experts with extensive industry and adult education experience.

Sara Elder, PhD is a senior policy advisor, International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) and an Adjunct Professor at the Institute for Resources, Environment and Sustainability at UBC.

Milind Kandlikar, PhD, is Professor (and past Director) at the Institute for Resources, Environment and Sustainability, with a cross-appointment at the School of Public Policy and Global Affairs at UBC.

John Madden is Director of Sustainability and Engineering for Campus and Community Planning at UBC.

Eric Mazzi, PhD, is a consultant and educator focusing on technology and policy for industrial and commercial demand-side energy systems.  He provides technical analysis, measurement & verification (M&V), policy studies, and educational services.

Additional program team members include:

• Niki Afshar-Pour is the Project Assistant for the Climate Action Planning Micro-certificate and has worked at the UBC Sustainability Hub for over 2 years while taking a BS in Environmental Sciences and a minor in Creative Writing.
• Brock Endean is the Principal Partner of RedPier Consulting and brings extensive experience of facilitation, planning, and engagement with youth, rural and Indigenous communities, and public institutions.
• Oliver Lane, BBE, MF, is a Manager, Teaching and Learning at the UBC Sustainability Hub, and brings 20 years of diverse experience in environmental education, program management, poverty reduction work and non-profit organizational leadership.
• Cait Murphy, BS, MA is an Engagement Specialist (Regional and International Engagement) at the UBC Sustainability HUB and currently leads its’ Regional and International Engagement program.
• Stefan Storey, PhD is an Assistant Professor at the New York Institute of Technology, Vancouver, British Columbia. Our program instructors are experts with extensive industry and adult education experience.