Free Online Course: The Paris Agreement on Climate Change as a Development Agenda

This joint UN Climate Change - UNSSC online course offers a holistic and integrated approach to climate change and demonstrates the interlinkages and interdependencies between sustainable development and climate change to make informed policy choices towards low-carbon and climate-resilient sustainable development.

Upon successful completion of this course, participants will be able to:

• Explain key elements of the Paris Agreement on Climate Change and the 2030 Agenda and the role of climate action in the broader context of sustainable development;
• Identify and articulate the interrelations and inter-dependencies between the Paris Agreement on Climate Change and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development in five critical dimensions of sustainable development: People, Planet, Prosperity, Peace and Partnership;
• Identify and articulate best practices to ensure coherence and mutual reinforcement between the Paris Agreement on Climate Change and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development;
• Explain existing tools and instruments to mainstream sustainable development and climate action into national development policies and planning

Course Methodology

UNSSC online courses are designed to deliver maximum learning outcomes through carefully chosen high-quality learning materials. Our highly facilitated online courses combine self-paced study modules with applied learning components, such as case studies, interactive exercises, and collaborative group work, specially tailored to the needs of the professional interested in deepening their knowledge on a particular subject matter.

Participants will also benefit from live moderated webinars which feature valuable inputs from renowned subject matter experts and allow real-time dialogue with high-level speakers. Webinar recordings are also made available to ensure that participants have a flexible and seamless learning experience.

Course Contents

The course frames climate change and climate action around the five core cornerstones of the 2030 Agenda: People, Planet, Prosperity, Peace and Partnership.

• Week 1: Introduction: sustainable development, climate change and climate action.
• Week 2: The social dimension of sustainable development, climate change and climate action (People).
• Week 3: The environmental dimension of sustainable development, climate change and climate action (Planet).
• Week 4: The economic dimension of sustainable development, climate change and climate action (Prosperity).
• Week 5: Climate change and peace, justice and strong institutions (Peace).
• Week 6: Partnerships and means of implementation for climate action and sustainable development (Partnership).

Target Audience

Development practitioners from the UN system, governments, non-governmental organizations, the private sector, civil society and academia.

Cost of participation

Participants are at the centre stage of the learning offerings at the UNSSC. UNSSC adopts a concrete methodology in its selection process that considers the scope, objectives, and expected outcomes of the course as well as specific selection criteria for its course participants to increase course impact. The criteria include quality of motivation, professional experience and knowledge, organisational commitment, diversity, the potential for future work, and willingness to contribute to the course. 

Selection criteria:

Interested individuals are encouraged to sign up for the course and provide a clear and well-crafted motivation statement in the online application form, with a short explanation of the benefit they can derive from the course as well as their possible contribution to enriching the course. 

This online course is offered free-of-charge.

Participants will enjoy the following benefits from the free online course:

• Unlimited access to course materials (incl. exclusive video material and key readings), recording of webinars and speakers’ presentations.
• Participation in live webinars with renowned subject matter experts.
• Exclusive access to the UNSSC online social learning environment with training and supporting background materials, and the opportunity to stay connected with colleagues.

Certificates from the United Nations System Staff College will be awarded to participants upon completion of the course.

Find out more and register here: https://www.unssc.org/courses/paris-agreement-climate-change-development-agenda-2/