Learn to create actionable plans for addressing climate change
Introduction
Communities across the country and around the world are increasingly interested in mitigating their contributions to the climate crisis and adapting to extreme heat, wildfire, and flooding. To do that, they need a climate action plan (CAP). A climate action plan is a road map that guides a local community (municipality, business, or faith group) to achieving its emission-reduction goals, while making it more resilient to climate change. Groups of all sizes have an important role to play in climate change mitigation planning, but there is lack of adequate training on how to create and implement climate action plans.
To meet this need, the Gonzaga Institute for Climate, Water, and the Environment and the Center for Lifelong Learning partner jointly offer the Certificate in Climate Action Planning (CAP)! Launched in August of 2023, CAP is a fully online program designed to help individuals create and implement climate action plans. Through engaging live classes, practical assignments, and expert presenters, you’ll gain tools to mobilize community members in reaching emission-reduction and climate resiliency goals. This is an ideal way to earn a professional credential (including 70 APA/AICP CM credits) while learning to create and steer a climate action plan for your community.
"This course is incredibly practical and will teach you so much about the climate action planning (CAP) process.
Whether you are actively participating in CAP in your community, hoping to help your community pursue it, or just want to learn more about the process, this certificate will enable you to take on any CAP work you pursue."
Topics you'll cover
- Community engagement, collaboration, and communication strategies
- Climate impact and vulnerability assessment
- Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions accounting
- Strategies for mitigating GHG emissions and creating resilient communities
- Climate and social justice
- Implementation, monitoring, and reporting
* The curriculum is based on the UN Habitat’s recommendations for city-level climate planning, which has a global audience. While the course refers to Washington State policies, they are transferrable to any community, as Washington's policies are fundamentally based on national/international guidelines for community/city planning.
What you'll learn
- Engage with partners in politically diverse climates.
- Understand the principles of greenhouse gas accounting.
- Use climate modeling tools to conduct a climate impact assessment.
- Conduct a climate vulnerability assessment with attention to equity and social and environmental justice.
- Take steps to creating a climate action plan.
Who should participate
- Urban, municipal, and environmental planners (APA/AICP credits provided)
- Consultants who support municipalities
- University, business, non-profit and parish employees looking to develop climate action plans
- Educators interested in growing their knowledge of climate action planning
What makes it valuable
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The Gonzaga University Institute for Climate, Water, and the Environment brings its rich, nationally-recognized expertise in climate leadership to this program.
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This is not simply a check-the-box course, but a rich, skill-based program that challenges participants to consider new perspectives and approaches.
- Incorporation of real-world case studies, concrete application to your community’s circumstances, and individual assessments allow you to immediately apply your skills and gain greater depth of understanding.
- Real-time virtual classes with instructors and peers provide you with transformational learning opportunities, as well as the flexibility and convenience of online classes.
About your instructor
- Meet Kara Odegard! Kara is the Founder and Owner of Measure Meant, a consultancy working with organizations, tribal nations, and cities to build transformative sustainability programs. She spent four years (2019 - 2022) using a collaborative leadership model to guide climate action planning for the City of Spokane. Her leadership resulted in a comprehensive climate action plan that was co-created by a large team of community stakeholders. Spokane’s plan and the process they developed now serves as a template for other municipalities developing their own climate action plans. Learn more about Kara!
Program details
- Duration: 4.5 months/ 18 weeks
- Format: Weekly classes via ZOOM on Tuesdays, 4:00-5:30 p.m. Pacific Time
- Time commitment: Students report they spend 3-5 hours per week of reading and work outside of class sessions.
- Credits:
- APA/AICP: This course has been approved for 70 CM credits.
- Counts as 7 (seven) Continuing Education Credits and 70 K-12 OSPI clock hours in WA State.
- Grading: Pass/Fail basis
- Cost: $3,500
- Installment plans available
- Scholarships available
- 10% discount for Gonzaga graduates
- Textbook: Climate Action Planning: A Guide to Creating Low-Carbon, Resilient Communities
- Prerequisites:
- No prior environmental/climate/sustainability knowledge or experience is required.
- To enroll, you must have at least five (5) years of any kind of work experience (which can include jobs held during high school) OR a Bachelor's degree.