Project Management for a Changing Climate

Submitted by Krista Lambert | published 21st May 2021 | last updated 15th Jul 2022

Climate Adaptation Training Annotation

Level: Introductory
Time commitment: 3 hours per module (4 modules in total) - 12 hours total
Learning product: Online course
Sector: multi-sector, infrastructure, city planning, agriculture, forestry, tourism, natural resource management
Language: English
Certificate available: completion certificate; microcredential program in development

Introduction

Project Management for a Changing Climate

Climate change is one of the biggest risks facing governments, businesses, societies and ecosystems around the world. Project managers, through their effective direction of complex projects, occupy a critical role in the successful transition to a resilient, low carbon world. This course is designed to prepare professionals with project management responsibilities to add a climate change lens to their projects.

The course is designed to be delivered in a blended synchronous/asynchronous mode. Each week participants can expect to spend about two to three hours across all activities.

The Project Management for a Changing Climate course material is available using the links below for self-learning but if you wish to attend a facilitated online course find details here.

Institutional background and trainers

P roject Managent for a Changing Climate by Susan Todd, CPA, CA, MRM is licensed under CC BY 4.0 except where indicated. For external links to resources, review the rights and permission details.

This course is part of the Adaptation Learning Network: Inspiring Climate Action. This course is Creative Commons licensed and the content is free to use with attribution (for external links to resources, please review the rights and permission details).

This course is also offered as a facilitated online course by Royal Roads University. You can find registration information on the Adaptation Learning Network Portal.

Who would find this useful?

The course is suitable for individuals in management roles and above who have significant project management responsibilities. “Projects” could include examples as diverse as infrastructure development, deployment of new technology, ecosystem restoration, or public engagement campaign, for example. The course will attract a diversity of professionals who enjoy multidisciplinary learning environments. Familiarity with general climate change issues and science is recommended.

Training Material

1. Perspective

In this Module, you'll have an opportunity to consider your perspective on climate change as a project manager, recognize valuable perspectives that others bring, and consider when and how an interdisciplinary approach can enhance project management for a changing climate.

Video attribution: “An Engineering Perspective: Harshan Radhakrishnan, Manager, Climate Change and Sustainability Initiatives Engineers and Geoscientists BC, Adaptation Learning Network is licensed under CC BY 4.0.

2. Engaging

In this Module, you'll have an opportunity to consider the people affected by climate change and your project's response to it. This includes people internal to your organization and others, such as neighbouring communities or Indigenous people. You will also start applying your learning in a case study situation.

Video attribution: “Erica Crawford, Adaptation Planner, Shift Collaborative" Adaptation Learning Network is licensed under CC BY 4.0.

3. Planning

In this Module, you'll have an opportunity to integrate climate change implications with standard project management planning considerations. You will also continue to apply them in a case study situation.

Video attribution: “Interview 3 with Robert Siddall" Adaptation Learning Network is licensed under CC BY 4.0..

4. Applying

In this module you will pull together all your learning from the course so far to apply them to a real project you are managing, with feedback from peers. This module will also address some of the challenges with securing organizational support for your climate change lens.

Video attribution: “Interview 4 with Robert Siddall" Adaptation Learning Network is licensed under CC BY 4.0..

Learning Outcomes

This course will help you recognize climate change factors that could affect successful outcomes for your project and formulate strategies you can use to address them. You can expect to leave this course better prepared to add a climate change lens to your project planning.