Climate Policy and Action

Advance just and equitable solutions for the climate crisis
Certificate Overview
Credits 24
Duration 3 quarters
Next Start Term

Fall quarter 2023

Location Olympia Campus
Schedule Wednesdays, 6 - 9:30 pm
Cost $30 - $60 enrollment fee plus tuition. See Academic Certificate Costs and Aid for more information about tuition. 

What you'll learn

This certificate program prepares you for a variety of environmental science, policy, and management-related careers that work toward climate solutions, such as: climate policy analysis, environmental engineering, ecological restoration, and more.

You’ll gain knowledge of climate change impacts and solutions and develop skills in policy analysis, communication, engagement, and advocacy. Through an applied project or internship with external partners, you’ll get hands-on experience working on climate-related issues in the real world.

This certificate will be offered by the Center for Climate Action and Sustainability (CCAS), connecting students to internship opportunities, climate experts, and community-based research.

The curriculum provides connections with any path of study and is open to all intermediate or advanced students. The certificate places a strong emphasis on interdisciplinary solution-based thinking, climate justice, and action-oriented research and learning.

The Climate Policy and Action certificate requires students to conduct an internship with the CCAS and an external partner or develop independent action research projects.

Certificate Coursework

This certificate consists of 24 undergraduate credits.

Climate Policy and Action: Science and Policy Basics

Develop a foundation in the science of climate change to engage in meaningful conversations about climate policy. Discover the impacts climate change has on local and global communities, learn how science is integrated into public policy, and explore the challenges of environmental governance.

Climate Policy and Action: Policy Analysis and Advocacy

Explore different ways to analyze public policies and advocate for climate action. Review climate change mitigation policies, technologies, governance, and actions that Washington state, Evergreen, and cities in North America have adopted, what impact these have had, and how we can create the most effective solutions.

Climate Policy and Action: Internship

Work with internal or external partners as an intern on a climate action or sustainability project.

Internal projects may focus on climate action projects with faculty, carbon neutrality pathways and climate action plans for Evergreen’s campus, or other projects with the Center for Climate Action and Sustainability (CCAS).

External projects will include partnerships with community organizations, local government, and others. One credit of the internship or practicum includes seminar-style discussion with students and faculty. Faculty will help students mobilize knowledge and analysis into meaningful action through community-based projects, develop project design and management skills, and build networks for future climate action.