UPU and UNITAR Explore Grid Challenges in Postal Fleet Electrification in New Webinar Series

5 May 2025

News

UNITAR and UPU have launched a new series of webinars to unpack key sustainability challenges in the postal sector. The first webinar took place on 28 April 2025, covering the critical issue of postal fleet electrification.

 

Read on to find out more.

On 28 April 2025, the Universal Postal Union (UPU) and the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) jointly hosted the first webinar of their new series on climate action and sustainability in the postal sector. Titled “Overcoming Grid Constraints in Fleet Electrification – Bridging the Gap Between EV Demand and Grid Capacity,” the 90-minute session brought together 51 postal professionals and stakeholders from around the world for an interactive dialogue featuring expert presentations, live polls, and a dynamic roundtable discussion. The session marked the first in a three-part series under the “Climate Engagement Programme for Postal Sector Stakeholders” set to run through 2026.

The event opened with welcoming remarks from Mr. Siva Somasundram, Director of Policy, Regulation and Markets at UPU, and Mr. Angus Mackay, Director of the Division for Planet at UNITAR. Framing the relevance of the issue, Mr. Somasundram emphasized that:

“The transition to electric vehicles is central to the broader transformation of our sector… electric vehicle deployment is not only a climate commitment, it is also a response to evolving market demand.”

And Mr. Mackay underlined the global reach and untapped potential of the postal network, stating:

“How much good can be done by harnessing some of this capacity towards emissions reductions and building capacity?”

The webinar addressed a key challenge faced by postal operators in greening their fleets. While many are actively deploying electric vehicle (EV) fleets, their progress depends  on local and national grid infrastructure capacity. Presentations explored these issues from three perspectives: from the postal sector angle and a policy and technology standpoint.

Mr. Malte Schütt of DHL’s Clean OPS Technology Centre, the first speaker to intervene, provided a sector-specific view on smart charging and operational hurdles. Covering the global experiences of DHL, Mr. Schütt highlighted the importance of local energy mix for deciding on the roll out of EV fleets for credible action of decarbonization. Ms. Swetha Ravi Kumar from FSR Global focused on policy , presenting the regulatory landscape that is relevant for grid-resilient fleet electrification. Ms. Kumar encouraged looking beyond the demand side perspective and highlighted the EV charging business models and other service innovations that the postal sectoral players can uptake.   Finally, Mr. Canaan Shao, from Wanbang Digital Energy, highlighted key technologies trends to support independent charging systems, centralized energy control  systems and split charging architecture that allow for scalable solutions for postal logistics.

The session also featured a mini roundtable with the three speakers that shifted the focus toward investment strategies, exploring how postal fleets can attract funding and innovation through public-private partnerships and co-financing models.

Looking ahead, the webinar series will continue with a second session in late June 2025, followed by a third installment later in the year. Each session will tackle a pressing sustainability challenge facing the postal sector, providing a collaborative space for postal sector workers and stakeholders to exchange knowledge and potentially co-develop actionable solutions.

Watch the webinar recording:

Sports for Climate Action: Two New Courses to Drive Climate Action in Sports

22 April 2025

News

Discover how the world of sports is rising to the climate challenge. Explore two new free e-courses that empower individuals and organizations to take meaningful climate action, on and off the field.

The impacts of climate change are being felt across every aspect of society, and the world of sports is no exception. Rising temperatures, extreme weather events, and environmental degradation are disrupting training schedules, damaging infrastructure, and affecting athletes’ performance. At the same time, the sports sector itself contributes approximately 1% of annual global greenhouse gas emissions. With its broad appeal and influence, sport holds unique potential to lead by example and mobilize collective action for the planet. 

“Sport reminds us of our collective ability to overcome the seemingly impossible.” – Patricia Espinosa, former Executive Secretary of UN Climate Change.  

Recognizing this, the UNFCCC Sports for Climate Action Framework was launched in 2018 to guide environmental sustainability efforts within the sports sector and leverage its global reach to raise awareness and drive climate action. Towards this goal, two new e-learning courses have been launched as part of the Sports for Climate Action e-learning series. Developed in partnership between UNITAR (through the UN CC:Learn programme) and UN Climate Change (UNFCCC), and powered by adidas, the courses aim to empower individuals and sports organizations to take meaningful climate action – both on and off the field. 

The first course, Introduction to Sports for Climate Action, is designed for anyone interested in understanding how sports and climate change intersect. It explores how sports contribute to climate change, how they are affected by it, and what actions can be taken to build a greener and more resilient sports sector. Comprising four short modules, the course takes about 1 hour and 20 minutes to complete, using interactive lessons, videos, quizzes, and practical activities to guide learners through the essentials. 

The second course, Sports for Climate Action, takes the learning further. Targeted primarily at staff of sports organizations, it builds on the foundational knowledge from the introductory course and provides actionable strategies for integrating climate considerations into operations, business planning, and stakeholder engagement. With five in-depth modules, the course takes approximately 4 hours to complete and features real-world case studies, interviews with industry professionals, and practical exercises to help learners apply what they’ve learned. 

Both courses are fully online, self-paced, and free of charge. Participants who successfully complete them will receive an official certificate of completion from the United Nations – a valuable credential for professionals and organizations looking to lead the way in climate action within the sports sector. 

Whether you’re a coach, event organizer, athlete, fan, or decision-maker in a sports organization, these courses offer essential insights and tools to help you make a difference. By taking part, you’ll not only increase your own knowledge, but also contribute to a growing global movement for climate action and resilience in sports. 

Ready to take action? Take the courses today. 

NDC in Benin: awareness raising, mobilization and climate action

26 March 2025

News

Find out how Benin has mobilized citizens, young people, the media and institutions around its Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) through a vast awareness-raising campaign. Through workshops, flagship events and digital tools, the country is laying the foundations for inclusive and sustainable climate action.

 

Read on to find out more.

Climate: In Benin, the NDC in the spotlight

Over the past two years, the updated Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) has been at the heart of a series of activities coordinated by the Ministry of the Quality of Life and Transport, with the support of UNITAR (United Nations Institute for Training and Research) through the UN CC:Learn program, as part of the Communicate and Monitor the NDC and the Partnership Plan Implementation project. This initiative, supported by the NDC Partnership, aimed to raise broad awareness among the Beninese population of the country’s climate commitments and to ensure rigorous monitoring of their implementation.

Decision-makers, civil society, young people and the private sector mobilized throughout Benin, creating an unprecedented dynamic around the updated NDC. Through innovative communication tools, media campaigns and participatory events, stakeholders made the NDC a living, understood and appropriated instrument.

“The dissemination of the NDC has been an absolute priority. We have deployed several tools to reach a wide audience: a summary note accessible in French, media campaigns, thematic events such as Tree Day and Environment Day, as well as a website and a dedicated platform,” explains Antoinette Sagbo, the project’s communications expert.

Actions on the ground to disseminate the NDC

The project kicked off with a workshop to launch and validate the NDC summary, held in Cotonou in November 2023. This event brought together some 40 participants from the government, civil society, the media and technical partners. It provided an opportunity to present the project, discuss the communication strategy and validate the content of the NDC summary intended for the general public. This moment of exchange laid the foundations for an inclusive and coordinated campaign.

Subsequently, several field actions were carried out. The 2024 National Tree Day, celebrated in Lokossa, mobilized young people trained by the CASAD NGO to plant more than 1,500 trees. As for World Environment Day, it gave rise to a high-level workshop in Cotonou, with presentations on land restoration, climate resilience and the environmental responsibilities of companies. These events have strengthened the visibility of the NDC and anchored its ownership at the local level.

In addition, a vast communication campaign was launched with the production and distribution of various materials: newsletters, fact sheets, banners, bags, mugs, pens, etc. Radio and television programs in French and local languages were broadcast on five media (including television and radio), reaching an estimated 40,000 people according to the project’s communications expert, appointed to carry out these activities. All of these actions have fostered a broad and participatory ownership of the NDC by citizens, communities and institutions.

Bag developed in the framework of the project.

Bag developed in the framework of the project.

Finally, the national digital platform for monitoring the NDC (www.cdn.bj) has been updated to provide simplified and secure access to all the country’s climate information. Training has been organized for sectoral focal points to enable them to enter data, monitor projects and increase transparency. This platform is now a central pillar for the collaborative monitoring of the NDC in Benin.

Examples of programs at the end of this article

A cross-disciplinary and sustainable mobilization

Benin has great ambitions in terms of climate change mitigation and adaptation. The country has estimated its needs at around US$10,515.88 million, from public funds, the private sector and international support. The dissemination of the NDC aims to make this document a lever for national mobilization, ensuring better coordination between stakeholders and greater visibility of the efforts undertaken.

The engagement of young people has been a pillar of this strategy. Koto Daniel Dagnon, president of the Beninese Network of the World Youth Parliament for Water, emphasizes

“I want youth organizations to be actively involved in the next NDC review. I am proud to have been able to mobilize many young people during the training sessions. They are the future of the climate in Benin!”

For his part, Hermann Kouadio Kpokamè, an environmental journalist, points out that

“Through the activities carried out with UNITAR, I became aware of the importance of these documents as strategic compasses, translating international commitments into concrete policies. They make it possible to measure progress, adjust efforts and mobilize all actors, including the media, for rigorous monitoring and increased awareness. I still have a thousand and one programs to produce on the NDCs,” he says.

The Communicate and Monitor the NDC and the Partnership Plan Implementation project, launched in November 2023, marked a turning point in the dissemination of Benin’s climate commitments. Today, the NDC is better understood, better monitored and, above all, driven by a collective will that goes beyond government circles.

Examples of programs:

Examples of materials :

Master the Rotterdam Convention with Our New Course!

20 March 2025

News

The rapid expansion of global chemical trade has raised concerns about hazardous substances and their impact on health and the environment. To support countries in managing these risks, a new e-course, A Deep Dive into the Rotterdam Convention, is now available on UN CC:e-Learn.

 

Read on to find out more!

The exponential growth of chemical production and trade in recent decades has heightened global concerns about the risks posed by hazardous chemicals and pesticides. Many countries, particularly those with limited infrastructure to regulate chemical imports, remain vulnerable to potential environmental and health hazards. Recognizing these challenges, the international community adopted the Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade in 1998, which came into force in 2004. The Convention promotes shared responsibility and cooperation among nations to ensure the safe management of hazardous chemicals, thereby protecting human health and the environment.

To support national authorities and other stakeholders in effectively implementing the Convention, a new e-course titled A Deep Dive into the Rotterdam Convention has been launched on the UN CC:Learn platform. This self-paced course provides an in-depth exploration of the Convention’s key mechanisms, covering crucial topics such as the listing of hazardous chemicals, the prior informed consent (PIC) procedure, and information exchange requirements. Designed to complement the Introductory Course on the Rotterdam Convention, this 4-module course offers learners a structured, interactive learning experience over approximately 5-6 hours.

Developed by the Secretariat of the Basel, Rotterdam, and Stockholm (BRS) Conventions in collaboration with the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR), and made possible through the generous support of the European Union (EU), this course serves as a vital resource for designated national authorities (DNAs), official contact points (OCPs), and other key actors involved in international chemical trade. Whether you are a government official, customs officer, or industry stakeholder, this course will equip you with essential knowledge to strengthen the implementation of the Convention at the national level.

Learn more about the course below.

What will you learn?

After completing the course, you will be able to:

  • Explain the functioning, actors, key provisions and mechanisms of the Rotterdam Convention;
  • Identify relevant tools and resources for the implementation of the Convention at the national level;
  • Use relevant tools and resources for the implementation of the Convention at the national level;
  • Support effectively and efficiently the implementation of the Convention at the national level.

Who is this course for?

This self-paced online course on the Rotterdam Convention primarily targets the Rotterdam Convention designated national authorities (DNAs) and Official Contact Points (OCPs). It also offers valuable knowledge for other governmental and non-governmental actors with a role in the implementation of the Convention, from custom authorities to chemical importers.

The course also offers valuable knowledge and insights for the following audiences:

  • Private sector entities with a role in the import and/or export of chemicals;
  • Civil society organizations with an interest in the functioning of the Rotterdam Convention; and
  • Individuals with an interest in the international trade of chemicals.

Will you get a certificate?

The successful completion of the course rewards the learner with a certificate. To complete the course, the learner must complete all four modules and pass each associated quiz with a minimum grade of 70% from no more than three attempts. The completion of each module also rewards the learner with a badge.

Take the course!

The “Sustainable Development in Practice Series” Wins Triple Gold at Brandon Hall Excellence Awards

11 September 2024

News

The “Sustainable Development in Practice” learning series has won a hat-trick in this year’s Brandon Hall Excellence Awards, highlighting UNITAR’s excellence in e-learning solutions.

 

Read on to find out more.

The “Sustainable Development in Practice” e-courses have earned three prestigious gold awards at the renowned Brandon Hall Excellence Awards. Developed in 2024, this course series triumphed in the Human Capital Management category, winning top honors for Best Certification Program, Best Competencies and Skill Development, and Best Results of a Learning Program.

The Brandon Hall Excellence Awards, established in 1993 by the Brandon Hall Group, are often referred to as the “Academy Awards” for Learning, Talent, and Business Executives. These awards celebrate organizations that have successfully designed and implemented programs, strategies, tools, and processes that deliver measurable outcomes.

DelphianLogic, UNITAR’s instructional design partner, played an instrumental role in the success of the series, from development to implementation. It was DelphianLogic that submitted the course series for consideration at the awards, further highlighting the team’s crucial contribution.

This is the second time that UNITAR/UN CC:Learn has won a Brando Hall award. In 2021, both UNITAR and DelphianLogic won gold in Excellence in Learning for the Green Economy and Trade and Green Fiscal Policy e-courses.

The “Sustainable Development Series” is a two-part learning series hosted on UN CC:e-Learn that examines an integrated approach to sustainable development and why countries should prioritize it. The series explores the rationale, drivers, challenges, and opportunities for addressing environmental, climate, and poverty issues in an integrated manner. It builds on UNDP/UNEP’s Poverty-Environment Action for Sustainable Development project (UNDP-UNEP PEA), which aimed to bring poverty, environment, and climate objectives into the heart of development plans, policies, budgets, public and private finance in partner countries.

The course has attracted significant global attention, with over 9,178 certificates awarded to learners worldwide.

Benin Celebrates 40 Years of National Tree Day with Landmark Tree-Planting Event

15 July 2024

News

Benin celebrated the 40th National Tree Day with an iconic tree-planting event, supported by UN CC:Learn.

 

Read on to find out more.

Since 1985, the population of Benin has participated in the “National Tree Day” (Journée nationale de l’arbre – JNA, in French), an annual celebration that cherishes nature and puts trees and their role in addressing climate change in the spotlight. In 2024, to celebrate JNA’s 40th edition, the Government of Benin, through the Ministry of the Quality of Life and Transport in charge of Sustainable Development and with the support of UN CC:Learn and the NDC Partnership through a project dedicated to broadly communicate and raise awareness on climate change and the country’s Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC), invited its population to value the role of trees once again.

The borough of Koudou in the commune of Lokossa, in the southwest of the country, was the main celebratory stage this year. Several high-level government officials, both local and national, were present at the city to take part in an event that culminated in the plantation of 1,500 native species of trees, which were carefully picked per their characteristics and with the support of the members of the Coopérative d’Aménagement Rural (CAR) de Koudo and the Fondation TOZO de Lokossa, who will be the main beneficiaries.

The saplings protected and lined-up, at the JNA in Lokossa, Benin.

To mobilize the community, particularly the youth, the NGO CASAD was charged with selecting 80 youth ambassadors from the region. Before the JNA, these 80 ambassadors learned about the role of plants, particularly the saplings that were identified to be planted at the celebration: teak, eucalyptus, mango, orange, cola, coconut, and avocado.

The CASAD team, in close collaboration with the Lokossa communal forestry session team, trained the young ambassadors on the proper way to plant a tree, covering fundamental aspects such as the monitoring and maintenance techniques needed to ensure successful plant growth. With this new knowledge, they were entrusted with planting saplings during the JNA. Moreover, during six months, these 80 young people will be responsible for the 1,500 plants, making sure they are well taken care of.

The JNA that took place in Koudou, in Lokossa, had a festive ambiance that engaged a broad number of people, regardless of their age. From government officials to local residents, many people bought into the idea of planting trees. Given the number of trees, the efforts continued on 2nd and 3rd June, extending what was supposed to be a one-day celebration into a three-day one.

The Coordinator of the communication project and follow-up of the NDC at the JNA 2024.

The Coordinator of the communication project and follow-up of the NDC at the JNA 2024.

The tree-planting campaign organized in Lokossa to mark National Tree Day 2024 was a success, demonstrating the collective commitment of the local community, authorities, and partner organizations to environmental protection. The 1500 trees planted represent a concrete contribution to the fight against climate change.

Watch interviews with officials at the JNA (in french):

 

The Sustainable Diet e-course is now available in French

9 July 2024

News
Girl eating watermelon

The flagship “Sustainable Diet” e-course, developed in partnership with Danone, is now available in French. Read on to find out more about the course!

In 2019, UN CC:Learn teamed up with Danone to produce “Sustainable Diet”, an interactive and dynamic e-course that aims to shift mindsets and foster better food choices for the health of the people and the planet.

This eight-module learning experience takes an average of two hours to complete and combines both video and online lessons. It was originally launched in English, Indonesian, and Portuguese, and is now available in French.

Climate Change seriously threatens food supplies, which in turn are also causing animal and plant species to disappear at an unprecedented rate.

“The loss of biodiversity for food and agriculture is seriously undermining our ability to feed and nourish an ever-growing global population. We need to use biodiversity sustainably to better respond to rising climate change challenges and produce food in a way that doesn’t harm our environment,” Jose Graziano da Silva, Head of FAO (UN CC:Learn partner).

These challenges are transforming how we produce, market, and consume food, but for positive transformations to effectively happen in this sphere, individuals must change their relationship with food.

By highlighting the environmental and social aspects of food production and consumption, the course seeks to shift mindsets towards a more sustainable way of living. “Sustainable Diet” strives to raise awareness of the impacts of people’s lifestyles, notably regarding their food choices, on people’s health while demonstrating what environmental implications these choices have.

What will you learn?

After completing the course you will be able to:

  • Explain what is at stake: how do your food choices affect your health and the environment?
  • Make better food choices that consider both human and planetary well-being
  • Identify ways in which changing your diet makes a positive impact
  • Develop a personal sustainable and healthy diet plan or project

Who should take this course?

The course is open to anyone and will be particularly useful to everyone interested in learning about how their lifestyles, particularly their food choices, impact their health and that of the planet.

Will you get a certificate?

To receive a certificate, learners must:

  • Go through all eight lessons.
  • Score 70% or more in the final quiz within three attempts.

 

Sign up for the “Sustainable Diet” in French e-course today!

UN CC:Learn Promotes Action for Climate Empowerment (ACE) at SB60

28 June 2024

News
Plenary session during SB60.

UN CC:Learn was present at the Climate Conference, in Bonn, Germany, organized by UN Climate Change, to advance the Action for Climate Empowerment Agenda along with several key partners.

 

Read on to find out more!

Photo credit: UN Climate Change / Flickr

The Bonn Climate Conference 2024 (SB60), held from June 3 to 13 in Bonn, Germany, provided an opportunity for countries and stakeholders to advance Action for Climate Empowerment (ACE) while exchanging knowledge and experiences.

In an effort to enhance youth capacities, UN CC:Learn joined forces with Youth4Capacity and Rio Impact to co-organize a Climate Classroom on the Rio Conventions. This one-and-a-half-hour session focused on the synergies between the three Rio Conventions (the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change – UNFCCC, the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification – CCD, and the Convention on Biological Diversity – CBD). The focus of the class was on young people’s engagement and interventions across the conventions. The session included expert presentations, opportunities for Q&A, and an interactive group work segment where participants exchanged ideas and identified opportunities for action.

UN CC:Learn also actively participated in the Dialogue on Action for Climate Empowerment, held on 8 and 10 June 2024, and the ACE Focal Points Academy,  held on 10 and 11 June 204. These two events, organized by UN Climate Change, zoomed in on the tools and support required for the implementation of ACE as per the Glasgow Work Programme.

Lisa Maina, from the UN CC:Learn Secretariat, moderating a session in the ACE Academy.

Lisa Maina, from the UN CC:Learn Secretariat, moderating a session in the ACE Academy.

Since 2013, the ACE Dialogues have provided a regular forum for Parties to the UNFCCC and other stakeholders to share their experiences, and exchange ideas, good practices, and lessons learned regarding the implementation of Article 6 of the Convention and Article 12 of the Paris Agreement. At the 2024 ACE Dialogue, Mr. Angus Mackay, Director, Division for Planet, UNITAR and Head of the UN CC:Learn Secretariat, moderated and facilitated different exchanges, which reflected opportunities in accessing tools and support for the implementation of ACE, while providing a space to share good practice examples. Mr. Mackay highlighted the experience of two UN CC:Learn partner countries: the Dominican Republic and Ethiopia.

Following the ACE Dialogue, the ACE Focal Points Academy offered practical discussions and applications related to the tools and support for ACE implementation. Held annually since 2022, the Academy aims to strengthen the network of national ACE focal points at both international and regional levels. It facilitates regular exchanges of views, good practices, and lessons learned to build and enhance capacity and skills, promoting peer support for ACE implementation.

In a session titled “Approaches of engagement: Raising the visibility of ACE in NDC implementation”, Ms. Lisa Maina, from the UN CC:Learn secretariat, presented UN CC:Learn’s experience in supporting Ethiopia in developing an NDC Implementation Plan for Climate Change Education as an example of an approach for fostering joint action within governments and increasing political support in raising the visibility of ACE in NDCs (Nationally Determined Contributions). The session featured the presentation of the Ethiopian case study and Q&A with the audience.

In addition to UN CC:Learn, FAO, UNFCCC, UNICEF, Climate & Development Knowledge Network, the Green Environment Facility, Education Cannot Wait, Euroclima+, Youth Climate Justice Fund, as well as several national ACE focal points, and the Governments of Chile and Quebec (Canada), contributed to the Academy’s programme.

Simultaneously, the second edition of the ACE Gallery provided a platform for over 30 exhibitors to showcase their activities aimed at enhancing the implementation of ACE through a series of posters. Featured posters included the Face-NDC project in Zambia and initiatives promoting climate change education in Ghana, which were presented to a wide range of SB60 delegates.

More information about the Gallery and the other exhibitors can be found here.

The UN CC:Learn poster in the ACE Gallery.

The UN CC:Learn poster in the ACE Gallery.

Lastly, SB60 served as a networking hub for UN CC:Learn and like-minded partners. Various bilateral discussions have created valuable opportunities moving forward. These discussions have allowed UN CC:Learn and partners to explore synergies to further invest in climate change education initiatives. Such collaborations are essential for advancing global climate change efforts.

The National Implementation of the Paris Agreement

Courses

This course was developed by the UN Climate Change (UNFCCC) Secretariat to explain how Parties to the UNFCCC implement the goals of the Paris Agreement through continually increased ambition expressed in national legislation, constitutional amendments, regulations, standards, codes or other mandatory compliance means.

Enroll
  • Other
  • Adaptation

Self-paced course

2 hours

Welcome!

The main objective of the international climate change regime established under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) is to limit dangerous anthropogenic interference with the climate system. Domestic legislation is the key to regulate, structure, and implement climate change actions to meet this objective.

This course provides guidance on the overarching climate change laws that governments can implement to establish bodies and frameworks for addressing climate change. It also provides examples of mitigation and adaptation legislation across a range of sectors.

What will you learn?

After completing this course, you will be able to:

  • Analyse the rationale for parties to the UNFCCC and Paris Agreement to incorporate climate considerations within legally binding national instruments.
  • Identify and describe the specific actions that parties to the Paris Agreement should undertake regarding climate change adaptation and mitigation.
  • Evaluate various types of legal instruments appropriate across a range of sectors and governmental structures and key features and examples of many of these.
  • Outline and comprehend the reporting requirements of the Paris Agreement.
  • Describe examples of the societal, financial, technical, and international challenges in establishing and implementing legally binding instruments, and solutions to those.

Course at a glance

This e-learning course consists of one online lesson with five learning modules followed by a final quiz. It will take 1-3 hours to complete the course depending on how deeply you explore modules two to four.

Module 1: The Implementation Regime, explains the goals of the Paris Agreement, the increasing levels of action needed to address climate change, and why overarching climate change framework laws are necessary.

Module 2: Implementing in the Energy Sector, presents legal instruments for the energy sector.

Module 3: Addressing Climate Change in the Natural Resources Sectors, presents legal instruments to address climate change in the natural resources sector.

Module 4: Addressing Climate Change in Cities, presents legal instruments to address climate change in Urban Systems.

Module 5: Implementing the Supporting Legal Infrastructure, addresses challenges to implementing the obligations of the Paris Agreement.

Who is this course for?

This course caters to both Party and non-Party stakeholders, including members of civil society, policymakers, advisors, government officials and parliamentarians.

Certification

Participants who successfully pass the quiz with a minimum grade of 70% within three attempts will get an official UN Climate Change certificate.

From Knowledge to Action: How UN CC:Learn courses are driving behavioral change

28 May 2024

News

Discover how UN CC Learn’s free and self-paced online courses are contributing to climate literacy and driving global climate action. The 2023 Impact Survey reveals that learners are not only applying their new knowledge but also making significant changes in their personal and professional lives. Read on to explore the detailed findings and learn how education is empowering individuals to combat climate change.

Education is one of the most powerful drivers of positive social and environmental change. Since 2014, UN CC:Learn has contributed to climate change education globally by providing free and self-paced online courses on climate change to over 880,000 learners.

The +100 e-courses in up to 17 languages available on the e-learning platform strive to provide individuals and communities with the knowledge, skills, and resources needed to effectively understand and respond to climate change.

But are UN CC:Learn courses actually contributing to positive and long-lasting behavioral change in its learners?

To answer this and other questions, UN CC:Learn prepared the 2023 Impact Survey. The Impact Survey is conducted on an annual basis and follows an approach based on the Kirkpatrick Level 3 evaluation model intended to assess the degree to which beneficiaries apply the skills and knowledge learned through the e-courses at their workplace. The survey also intends to understand how these new skills have supported UN CC:Learn alumni to adopt climate-friendly decisions and take action on climate change.

The 2023 Impact Survey was sent to a random sample of 495 participants who received a certificate of completion after taking an e-course on the UN CC:Learn e-learning platform. The sample enabled results with a 95% confidence level and 5% error range. The survey was available in English, Spanish, French, and Portuguese and the results were reported anonymously and in an aggregated format.

Here are some of the key findings.

Learners are applying the knowledge they have acquired from a UN CC:Learn e-course

82% of respondents have applied, used, or transferred the knowledge and skills acquired from a UN CC:Learn course.

In addition, 92% of respondents from countries in special situations said they have applied used, or transferred the knowledge and skills learned from UN CC:Learn.

Graphs showing results of the impact survey as described in the article.

Learners are taking climate change action after completing a UN CC:Learn e-course

96% of respondents said the UN CC:Learn course has given them the necessary skills and knowledge to take climate action.

In addition, 60% said they have become more efficient in the way they use water or energy, 55% said they have recycled more of their waste at home and at work, and 54% said they have supported climate actions in their communities.

Learners have changed their consumption patterns after completing a UN CC:Learn e-course

98% of female and 97% of male respondents have made important changes in their lives and routines in relation to climate change.

In addition, 99% of respondents from countries in special situations have said they have made important changes in their life and routine upon completing a course.

The acquisition of new skills and knowledge has led to important improvements for beneficiaries.

75% feel more knowledgeable about climate change, 58% said they gained skills they can apply in their careers, and 8% said they received a pay rise after completing a UN CC:Learn course.

Read the full survey here.