Program at a glance

The program design is an introduction and seven-module offering beginning in November and ending the following June. The first two modules are “Base Camps” intended to confirm a shared understanding of the fundamentals of climate change. Thereafter, the program consists of five additional day-and-a-half modules to allow participants to dig more deeply into the challenges and opportunities. The final module includes a capstone experience that integrates and synthesizes learning from preceding modules and pulls together the elements throughout the Program that were focused “what does this mean for my work”.

Modules

Modules 1 & 2 – Base Camps

Modules 1 & 2 provide an overview of the basics related to the climate challenge. The emphasis is on understanding the scientific foundations including the changes already occurring in the global climate system, the global policy and science context, the societal impacts of climate change, and the history of commitments and plans in Canada.

Module 3 – The changing climate and the challenge of resilience

In this module participants begin to explore more deeply the relationship between specific climate related implications in Canada and their connections to every aspect of economic and social decision-making, as well as government operations. These sessions focus on the issues around adapting to the rate of change of the climate and enhancing resilience to these changes, the management of increasingly frequent climate emergencies, and how financial services and other areas can evolve and are evolving to keep pace with and support appropriate transformations.

Modules 4 & 5 – The mitigation challenges and opportunities in key sectors

These modules explore the key sources of greenhouse gas emissions in Canada. They examine energy sources and energy systems as well as energy demand and use. Participants will develop a beter understanding of where the key emission reduction challenges and opportunities lie on the road to net-zero in areas such as resource extraction and processing, electricity generation and transmission, manufacturing, transportation, commercial and residential buildings, forestry and agriculture, and waste management. Leadership by the private sector will also be examined. As in other modules, included will be atention to the exploration of connections with participants’ work both in how it affects government operations and the broader Canadian context.

Module 6 – Why is this so hard?

This module will investigate the specific circumstances that make “solving” climate issues particularly challenging, some of which are uniquely Canadian. Topics explored will include questions of federal, provincial/municipal, and Indigenous jurisdiction; trade and competitiveness; and the range of partners and stakeholders active in climate discussions whose views need to be understood, considered, and reflected in strategies to address adaptation, resilience, and mitigation.

Module 7 – Capstone & Graduation – The necessity of coherence

In Module 7 participants will integrate and synthesize the experience of the program and consider the way forward. They will have the opportunity to focus on the interconnectedness of economic, social and environmental challenges along with the importance of a leadership focus on innovation, creativity, and collaboration.