Climate Change for Decision-Makers: Challenges, Transformations, Strategies

Climate change is reshaping societies and industries, making it the defining challenge of our time. This six-week online course, designed by academics from the University of Cambridge, equips decision-makers with the skills to navigate its complexities—covering jobs, finance, innovation, politics and social stability.

Through real-world examples, you’ll explore three critical dimensions: metrics, technology and governance. Over six modules, you’ll learn to cut through scientific jargon, assess reliable sources and evaluate climate scenarios, decarbonisation pathways and disruptive technologies.

With expert guidance, you’ll build a portfolio demonstrating your ability to apply insights to your own context. By course end, you’ll have expert knowledge of complex climate change issues, allowing you to make business decisions with confidence.

Whether advancing your career, deepening your understanding of climate solutions or stepping into a leadership role in sustainability, this course empowers you to drive meaningful change.

This course equals 48 hours of the CPD Certification Service(Opens in a new window) time.

This engaging six-week course unpacks the complexities of climate change, starting with the foundations of climate science and disinformation strategies. You’ll explore key terms, concepts and the multifaceted scale of the climate crisis, including its interactions with energy, transportation and food systems. You’ll delve into policy landscapes, economic impacts and the role of innovation in climate action. Finally, you will review emerging challenges and emerging environmental, social and governance (ESG) practices and standards – equipping you to navigate climate change’s evolving landscape.

• Module 1: Climate change diagnosis

• Module 2: Concepts and context

• Module 3: Systems transition

• Module 4: Energy transition

• Module 5: Governance of climate change

• Module 6: Emerging issues

By the end of the course, you will be able to:

• navigate a vast flow of information and identify only the main and most reliable sources, avoiding the main forms of disinformation

• connect abstract and highly technical scientific knowledge from a range of disciplines to everyday manifestations of climate change

• use acquired knowledge and understanding of interconnections in new contexts

• articulate complex concepts from a range of disciplines to a wider audience

• analyse relevant issues, placing them in their proper scale and assessing their interconnections with other issues at different scales

• exercise judgement with respect to different claims about climate change scenarios, decarbonisation pathways, emerging issues and their implications

• develop a position or strategy for your organisation informed by the knowledge and skills acquired through the course.

On successful completion of the course, you’ll receive a certificate from the University of Cambridge, along with valuable Continuing Professional Development (CPD) points and a digital badge to display on your LinkedIn profile. These Cambridge credentials not only showcase your knowledge and expertise, but also demonstrate your commitment to professional development – helping to future-proof your career.

This course is designed for professionals across different sectors who are seeking to gain a comprehensive understanding of climate change and its broader implications.

• Senior professionals: Ideal for those with deep knowledge in specific areas, looking to broaden their understanding and capture the bigger picture of climate change and its societal impacts.

• Mid-career professionals: Perfect for professionals seeking to transition into management or strategic roles, or reorient their career towards climate-related challenges.

• Government officials: Suited for those active in specific policy areas, who need to grasp the full scope of climate change for informed decision-making.

• Politicians and their advisers: Ideal for those who need a self-contained understanding of climate change for policy and political purposes.

• Consultants: Relevant to professionals in management consulting and ESG sectors, who aim to advise clients on climate action and sustainability strategies.

• Financial services professionals: Designed for those in finance looking to understand the implications of climate change for investments, risk management and financial decision-making.

• NGO and INGO staff: Ideal for those working in intergovernmental and non-governmental organisations who need a scientifically informed and up-to-date overview of climate change.

Our flexible, online courses – delivered via a world-leading learning platform – reflect the University of Cambridge experience and values, with low learner-to-tutor ratios and academically rigorous standards.

Our online learning model is designed to help you advance your skills and specialise in emerging areas that address real-world challenges. We will help you build your network through an engaging and impactful learning journey that encourages collaboration with academics and fellow learners.

Courses are delivered in weekly modules, allowing you to plan your time effectively around existing commitments. The assessment criteria will be presented to you at the start of the course, so you can approach your studies with confidence and motivation, knowing exactly what’s expected of you and how to meet those expectations.

Throughout your online learning experience with Cambridge Advance Online, you’ll have digital access to a dedicated course tutor, an expert in the field, who will help steer your learning and provide you with support and guidance every step of the way.