The new, specialist training for climate experts is meeting a growing need for climate expertise in various sectors. The reworked climate legislation and Finland’s goal of reaching carbon neutrality by 2035 demand fast actions in different organizations. Understanding climate effects, considering natural diversity, and transferring to a circular economy require a new kind of in-depth knowledge in different industries.
“The idea of this education came upon me when I realizes that the people who know the most about the climate do not consider themselves to be experts. We have a great need for this education and I am pleased that it will be based on academic principles,” says Markku Kulmala, professor in atmospheric sciences at the University of Helsinki, who has been developing the climate education programme.
All universities with education in natural sciences in Finland are participating in the programme: the University of Eastern Finland, the University of Jyväskylä, the University of Oulu, the University of Tampere, the University of Turku, and Åbo Akademi. The Climate Leadership Coalition (CLC) has also
participated in the planning. The preparation of the specialized programme is financed by Technology
Finland and the Ministry of Education and Culture.
“Enforcing the competitiveness of Finnish companies and taking possession of the opportunities offered
by green growth pose certain challenges to businesses. The new specialist training for climate experts is
an answer to the increasing need for expertise in climate matters, both within businesses and cities and
local governments,” says CEO Tuuli Kaskinen from CLC.
“Thanks to this education, the phenomena and effects of climate change, as well as the risks and
opportunities, will become clearer to experts in different fields and organizations.”
Climate change, the battling of it and adaptation to its effects concerns every line of business. The
sustainability of businesses is also challenged by the maintaining of international competitiveness, green
growth, and the investment and financing environment.
Graduated climate experts may act as leading experts in their own field of specialization
Persons, who have completed the specialist training programme for climate experts, will have the
competence for challenging duties as climate experts within many sectors.
The multi-disciplinary programme will include such topics as climate change and its containment, central
methods and directives on climate change, and different business aspects. The objective is to promote a
knowledge-based climate strategy in different organizations. The programme is completed with a final
assignment that is relevant to the climate actions of the students’ own organization.
“The specialist training will give students deeper knowledge of climate work while taking their previous
education and work experience into account. An example of this is the transparency of decision-making;
implementing a fair transition when we need compromises on issues of investment, technology, and
wellbeing. Graduates will be able to act as leading specialists in their own field within communities and
networks,” says Professor Hilppa Gregow from the Finnish Meteorological Institute.
Registration for the training will start at the end of year 2023, and classes will start in early 2024. The
cost is 7,200 euros / 60 credits.