Transformative Climate Action Certificate
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| Program start date | Application deadline |
| 2026-09-01 | - |
| 2027-01-01 | - |
| 2027-09-01 | - |
Program Overview
Introduction to the Transformative Climate Action Certificate
The Transformative Climate Action (TCA) Certificate is a flexible, interdisciplinary credit program that allows learners to tailor their electives to their specific climate action goals. This program is designed to help learners develop new ways to build collaborative solutions that support decolonization, integrate diverse communities, enhance social resilience, and overcome polarization.
Program Overview
The TCA Certificate is jointly offered by the School of Environmental Studies and the Division of Continuing Studies, resulting in expertly designed courses taught by leaders in their fields. Courses are current, comprehensive, and designed for the needs of both online and on-campus learners. Learners can take the program full or part-time.
Program Length and Delivery
- The program length is 1-2 years.
- The delivery style is blended, with online and on-campus components.
Program Fees
- The estimated program fee is $4,590.29 CAD.
- This includes a program application fee of $100.00 and seven required courses at $641.47 per course.
Program Details
Required Courses
The program consists of three required courses:
- TCA 210: Introduction to the Human Dimensions of Climate Change - Examines a range of understandings of and approaches to addressing climate change.
- TCA 310: Transformative Change - Introduces skills needed to support planning and decision-making about climate action under conditions of uncertainty.
- TCA 320: Politics, Policies, and Planning for Climate Action - Uses British Columbia as a case study to introduce the policy and political contexts that shape climate action.
Elective Courses
Learners must choose four elective courses from the following options:
- TCA 405: Allyship, Solidarity, and Transforming Relations
- TCA 410: Indigenous-led Climate Action
- TCA 415: Adaptation Planning and the Built Environment
- TCA 420: Water Futures: Collaborative Responses to Climate Impacts
- TCA 425: Organizing for Transformative Change
- TCA 430: Future Ecosystems and Communities
- TCA 480: Special Topics in Transformative Climate Action
- TCA 490: Practicum in Transformative Climate Action
Additional Electives
Learners may also choose from various UVic elective courses, including:
- ADMN 330: Indigenous Approaches to Governance in Canada
- ADMN 331: Governance for Planetary Health
- ADMN 462: Intergovernmental Relations in Canada
- ECON 383: Climate Economics
- EOS/GEOG 130: Climate Change
- ENSH 306: Communicating for the Environment
- ES 378: Leadership Skills for Change
- ES 405: Climate, Energy, and Politics
- ES 411: Environmental Solutions
- ES/EOS 365: Climate and Society
- ES 314/PHIL 333: Philosophy and the Environment
- GNDR 337: Climate Migration
- PHIL 390: Philosophy and Climate Change
- POLI 357: Canadian Environmental Politics
- PSYC 326: The Environmental Psychology of Places and the World
- SOCI 437: Issues in Environmental Sociology and Climate Change
Admission Requirements
This credit program is offered at the third and fourth year undergraduate level. Applicants must be admissible to the University of Victoria.
Career Options
The Transformative Climate Action Certificate is designed for those passionate about sustainability, social justice, and environmental protection. Career options may include roles in:
- Climate action planning
- Environmental policy
- Sustainability consulting
- Community development
- Environmental education
Instructors
The program features a diverse range of instructors, including:
- Karena Shaw, PhD - Academic Director of the Transformative Climate Action Certificate
- Kevin Andrew, PhD - Research Associate with Zero-Emissions Sustainability Team at UVic
- Leanna Butters - PhD candidate at Grenfell Campus, Memorial University
- David Maggs, PhD - Interdisciplinary artist and researcher
- Jen Gobby, PhD - Founder of the Mud Girls Natural Building Collective
- Nick Montgomery, PhD - Community organizer and adjunct professor in UVic’s School of Environmental Studies
- Justine Keefer - PhD candidate at the University of Victoria
- Craig Brown, PhD - Senior scientist of climate change and health at Vancouver Coastal Health Authority
- Sam Lloyd - PhD Candidate in the UVic Department of Psychology
Program Partners
The program is partnered with the Faculty of Social Sciences and the School of Environmental Studies.
What Learners Say
Learners have praised the program for its comprehensive approach to climate action, citing increased confidence and empowerment to lead transformative change. The program has been described as a powerful transformation, providing learners with the skills and knowledge to make a lasting impact in their communities.