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Climate Change Certificate Program

Managing Climate Risks and Developing Business Opportunities

Climate change is emerging as one of the defining issues in the global business agenda. As extreme weather events increase, companies are realizing that they need to adapt and incorporate risks from climate change into their future business plans. This need is compounded by the fact that more than three-quarters of global economic output is now covered by some form of net-zero emissions pledge.

While climate change presents risks to businesses that need to be planned for, it also can present economic opportunity in the form of new entrepreneurial ideas and creative solutions for transitioning to clean energy. Enterprises can help not only protect the planet, but they can create a positive social impact through addressing the intersection between climate change, social justice, and DEI. The Foster School of Business is introducing a certificate program to help individuals and businesses to get up to speed on how to take more meaningful and impactful action on climate change.

Upcoming Seminar Dates

2023 Program is being rescheduled. Dates to be announced soon. Join our mailing list for updates.

Session 1: October 10, 2023
1:00-6:00pm PT
In person at UW Seattle Campus

Session 2: October 23, 2023
5:30-7:30pm PT
Virtual (Live Online)

Session 3: November 7, 2023
9:00am-3:00pm
In person at UW Seattle Campus

  • Gain a better understanding of how to measure and manage the impacts of climate change.
  • Learn how to formulate strategies for taking action.
  • Understand how emission reductions are mapped to science-based targets.
  • Develop ways to incorporate social justice into climate action.
  • Learn how to report and communicate progress externally.
  • Understand the nuances of various external ESG reporting scenarios including CDP, GRI, TCFD, SASB, Ecovadis, ISS, DJSI, EU Taxonomy and other reporting frameworks.

Session 1:  October 10, 2023
1:00-6:00pm PT
In Person at the UW Seattle Campus

  • Understand market and regulatory requirements around climate change
  • Identify business, financial, physical and brand risk to your organization around climate
  • Stakeholder engagement on climate and determining a best course of action
  • Explore how organizations are taking action throughout their value-chain
  • Gain tools for identifying opportunities and risk to your organization
  • Panel on resilience strategies:
    • Meade Krosby, PhD: Senior Scientist UW Climate Impacts Group – Physical Risk & Transition Risk
    • Charlie Donovan: Visiting Professor of Finance at the Foster School of Business – Financial Risk
    • Matt Campbell: Professor at the Foster School of Business – Financial Risk

Session 2: October 23, 2023
5:30-7:30pm PT
Live Online Class Session

  • Aligning US actions with global actions, regulations, and frameworks

Content Expert:

  • Hyoeun Jenny Kim, Ambassador and Deputy Minister for Climate Change in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea (UW Alum).
  • Discover methods for incorporating climate into a company’s daily operations
  • Content Experts:
  • Kirk Myers: Former CSR Director of Alaska Airlines and REI
  • Kevin Hagen: Interim CEO: Re100 Renewable Power Purchasing Initiative

Session 3: November 7, 2023
from 9:00am-3:00pm PT
In Person at the UW Seattle Campus

  • Reduction scenarios and science based targets
  • Identify profitable actions to address social and environmental impacts
  • The intersection of climate, social justice, diversity, equity, and inclusion
  • Climate reporting: US, international, regulatory, and market-based
  • Group Learning: Developing your draft climate action plan

Content Expert:

  • Sindhu Knotz: Social Justice, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Expert, Point B

Kevin Wilhelm is an Adjunct Faculty at the University of Washington and is one of the world’s pre-eminent business consultants & teachers in the field of climate change. He was recognized by Climate Change Business Journal in 2021 for the Individual Award for Industry Leadership and was named by the Top 10 Most Inspiring CEOs in Business in 2022 by CIO Magazine.

As the Senior Principal at Point B, his firm has worked with over 275 organizations on realizing business value, while addressing the environmental impacts of climate change. Some of his clients include New York Life, Delta Airlines, Carmax, Nordstrom, REI, Expedia, Alaska Airlines, Eddie Bauer, Whole Foods and the two-time MLS Cup Champion Seattle Sounders! He also teaches on ESG reporting at Harvard and has written 5 books on the subject including the acclaimed “Return on Sustainability: How Business Can Address Climate Change in an Uncertain Economy” and the Amazon #1 Best-Seller “How to Talk to the Other Side – Finding Common Ground in time of Coronavirus, Climate Change and Recession.”

Additional Faculty & Guest Speakers Invited to Present:

  • Meade Krosby, PhD: Senior Scientist UW Climate Impacts Group – Physical Risk & Transition Risk
  • Charlie Donovan: Visiting Professor of Finance at the Foster School of Business – Financial Risk
  • Matt Van Winkle: Professor at the Foster School of Business – Financial Risk
  • Hyoeun Jenny Kim, Ambassador and Deputy Minister for Climate Change in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea. (UW Alum)
  • Kirk Myers: Former CSR Director of Alaska Airlines and REI
  • Kevin Hagen: Interim CEO: Re100 Renewable Power Purchasing Initiative
  • Sindhu Knotz: Social Justice, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Expert, Point B

This course will benefit those with responsibilities in any of the following areas:

  • ESG/CSR coordinators, managers, and directors working to help companies on climate impact.
  • Individuals who may not be directly responsible for sustainability efforts but play an integral role as a core member of the organization.
  • Consultants who support organizational initiatives on climate change.

October 10 – November 7,  2023
$2,850

REGISTER YOURSELF       REGISTER A COLLEAGUE

Deadline: September 26, 2023

In-person class sessions will take place at the Bank of America Executive Center. Live online class session login information will be provided to you by the program manager, who will also be on hand during the session to help with any technical difficulties.

Location
Bank of America Executive Center (BAEC)
University of Washington Main Campus
4275 NE Stevens Way
Seattle, WA 98195
View map

Parking
You will receive a parking code and instructions from the program manager via email prior to the start of the class.

Commuter info
Please see these resources for information about commuting by bike, bus, or train:

Disability accommodation
The University is committed to providing access, equal opportunity, and reasonable accommodation in its services, programs, activities, education, and employment for individuals with disabilities. Please see this reference about submitting accommodation requests.

Class materials and homework
You will be contacted by the program manager via email and provided with materials to read prior to class.

Class schedule

Session 1: October 10, 2023
1:00-6:00pm PT
In person at UW Seattle Campus

Session 2: October 23, 2023
5:30-7:30pm PT
Virtual (Live Online)

Session 3: November 7, 2023
9:00am-3:00pm
In person at UW Seattle Campus

Continuing Education Credits
Participants are eligible to receive Continuing Education Units (CEUs) for this seminar. You must request tracking of your CEU credits when you register. More information about CEUs.