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, this professional, non-credit certificate guides you to develop knowledge, skills and best practices related to climate action planning. Whether you are a planner seeking to add climate-related skills to your toolbox, an environmental consultant hoping to deepen your community engagement skills, or an individual interested in creating a CAP for your community, this course is for you!
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
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
- Dates: August 27, 2024 to January 14, 2025
- Includes 3 weeks off during the holiday season.
- Format: Weekly classes via ZOOM on Tuesdays, 4:00-5:30 p.m. Pacific Time
- Time commitment: Students report they spend 2-3 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 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.