Climate Action Planning

Climate Action Planning, offered by the University of Victoria’s School of Environmental Studies and Division of Continuing Studies, is an online micro-certificate designed to help learners understand the practical and human dimensions of climate action. The programme examines why well-intentioned climate initiatives can fall short, how climate decisions are shaped by political and social factors, and where organisations and communities can find practical opportunities to create meaningful change.

Core Content

The programme explores climate action planning through four core approaches: consensus-building, resistance-navigation, human-centred thinking, and navigating complex challenges. Learners examine climate denial and resistance, political and policy contexts, stakeholder relationships, communication, local climate planning, and strategies for building resilient climate initiatives. British Columbia is used as a working context, while learners are encouraged to apply the material to their own workplace, community, or climate-related experiences.

Key Skills

Participants will develop the ability to assess climate plans, navigate resistance, facilitate difficult climate conversations, build consensus among diverse stakeholders, and identify practical opportunities for climate action. The programme also develops skills in climate communication, stakeholder engagement, leadership, policy analysis, resilience, community development, strategic planning, and adapting successful climate strategies across different contexts.

Target Learners

This micro-certificate is designed for professionals, current students, community leaders, and individuals seeking to develop practical climate-action capabilities. It is particularly relevant for people working in sustainability, environmental management, policy, community development, organisational change, and related fields who need to work with diverse stakeholders and navigate complex social and political barriers to climate action.

Learning Format

The programme is delivered online and takes approximately 8–12 months to complete. It leads to a Micro-certificate and carries UNITAR-CIFAL certification. The learning experience encourages participants to apply course concepts to a specific workplace, community, or personal climate context, with a focus on assessing climate plans, communicating effectively, navigating resistance, and developing practical approaches to climate action. The estimated programme fee is CAD $1,982.93.

Additional Benefits

The programme provides a practical approach to climate action that combines technical understanding with communication, leadership, and stakeholder engagement. Its emphasis on resistance, consensus-building, and human-centred approaches is particularly useful for professionals who need to turn climate plans into action involving multiple groups. Successful participants are eligible for a Certificate of Completion co-signed by UNITAR and CIFAL Victoria, providing additional recognition linked to the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

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