Climate Adaptation & Hazard Mitigation

The purpose of the Climate Adaptation and Hazard Mitigation Certificate is to offer a dynamic and specialized program designed to empower emergency management professionals to effectively navigate, plan for, and respond to the impacts of climate change. Upon completion of the Certificate, participants will possess the knowledge, skills, and strategic perspectives necessary to integrate climate change adaptation principles into emergency management practices. This comprehensive certificate program, offered by the Emergency Management Institute of FEMA, equips State, Local, Tribal, and Territory professionals with the expertise to address the evolving challenges posed by climate change and enhance community resilience.

• This certificate program is designed for emergency management professionals at the State, Local, Tribal, and Territory levels seeking to enhance their expertise in climate change adaptation. Professionals who play key roles in emergency planning, response, and recovery will find this program invaluable in addressing the complex challenges posed by a changing climate.
• It is structured to provide a balanced blend of foundational knowledge, elective specialization, and practical application through a capstone project.
• This certificate program does not require prior knowledge of climate change or adaptation.
• FEMA and DHS employees will be able to take the courses developed as part of the Climate Adaptation and Hazard Mitigation Certificate program.

Upon completing the program, participants will be proficient in the following Learning Outcomes:

• Climate Science Application in Emergency Management:
  • Apply foundational climate science concepts to assess and understand the impact of climate change on emergency management.
  • Integrate climate knowledge into emergency planning to enhance preparedness for climate-related challenges.
• Risk Assessment Strategies for Climate Adaptation:
  • Implement comprehensive risk assessment strategies that incorporate climate considerations.
  • Develop and employ adaptive strategies to enhance community resilience, addressing specific climate-related risks.
• Effective Climate Communication and Community Engagement:
  • Utilize effective communication strategies to convey climate change information in the context of emergency management.
  • Foster community engagement through inclusive outreach, ensuring the understanding and collaboration of diverse stakeholders.
• Integrating Climate Considerations into Project Planning:
  • Apply specialized techniques for climate adaptation in emergency management contexts.
  • Implement nature-based solutions and coastal hazard assessment tools to mitigate climate-related hazards effectively.
• Understanding of Social Dimensions in Climate Risks:
  • Analyze and comprehend the social dimensions of climate change and vulnerability.
  • Analyze and address equity considerations in climate change planning for emergency management.

The Climate Adaptation and Hazard Mitigation Certificate program focuses on the practical application of climate knowledge within the emergency management context. Participants will not only gain theoretical understanding but will also develop the skills to integrate and employ this knowledge effectively in their roles, fostering resilience and adaptive capacity in the face of climate change impacts.

There are no prerequisites for enrolling in the program.

In total, students who wish to complete the full certificate program will need to complete four required courses, plus three required elective courses chosen by students to fit their learning needs, plus one capstone project.

The courses offered as part of the Climate Adaptation and Hazard Mitigation Certificate are offered in sequence and students will need to complete the following courses to be awarded the Climate Certificate:

• Independent Study Foundations of Climate Science: Understand the basics of climate science to enter the Certificate program with a foundation of science literacy on Earth’s climate system.
• Introduction to Climate Change for Emergency Managers: Explore climate hazards regionally, understand its implications for emergency management, and develop a foundational understanding of climate adaptation strategies.
• Climate Change Communication for Emergency Managers: Acquire skills in effective communication, community engagement, and outreach strategies related to climate change, fostering inclusivity and understanding.
• Project Planning with Climate in Mind: Learn to conduct climate risk assessments, integrate climate considerations into emergency plans, and develop adaptive strategies for community resilience.
• Three elective courses: participants will tailor their learning by choosing three elective courses from EMI and university partners out of a designated list to support their learning needs. Some of these electives are available through the following organizations:
  • NTED | National Preparedness Course Catalog (firstrespondertraining.gov),
  • NDPTC Course Catalog (hawaii.edu)
• Capstone Project: Apply what you have learned throughout the program to a capstone project.

This certificate program will be taught through courses that are delivered through self –paced Independent Study online courses, online synchronized courses delivered by EMI, online synchronized courses delivered by university partners, and in-person courses at the Emergency Management Institute’s campus in Emmitsburg, Maryland.

All courses and materials will be free of charge to students.

Yes, students will have the opportunity to participate in online and in-person practical exercises to apply their learnings in assessing climate risk, communicating about climate change, planning projects with climate change in mind, and integrating climate change adaptation and hazard mitigation.

To earn the "Climate Change Adaptation Certificate for Emergency Managers," participants must successfully complete the four required courses, and select and complete three elective courses, and submit a satisfactory capstone project that demonstrates the application of climate adaptation principles to their specific contexts.

The program of the Climate Certificate includes seven (7) courses and one capstone project, including four required courses and three elective courses. Students should complete the seven requisite courses in a 24-month period.

The courses of the Climate Certificate program will be offered both an online and in-person format. The first course, Independent Study on Fundamentals of Climate Science, is an online asynchronous course and can be taken any time.

Upon the completion of all requirements in the Climate Adaptation and Hazard Mitigation Certificate program, you will receive a certificate from the Emergency Management Institute detailing your successful completion of the program.

This is a Certificate and not a Certification program. You will not become certified in climate adaptation after completing these courses.

The forthcoming Project Planning with Climate in Mind course offers an exceptional professional development opportunity for those passionate about climate change. It facilitates networking with like-minded students from state, local, tribal, and territorial (SLTT) backgrounds, fostering a community of practice centered on cutting-edge adaptation strategies. This course is uniquely designed with hands-on exercises that simulate real-world scenarios, enabling participants to apply theoretical knowledge to tangible project planning. Engaging with peers from diverse SLTT agencies not only broadens one’s professional network but also catalyzes collaborative innovation in addressing the multifaceted challenges of climate change. This collaborative environment is instrumental in sharing best practices, pioneering adaptive measures, and paving the way for impactful climate resilience initiatives.

• Contact the Independent Study Program Office between the hours of 8:00a.m.-4:30p.m. ET, Monday – Friday, except federal holidays. The call center can be reached at 301-447-1200 or Independent.Study@fema.dhs.gov.
• Emergency Management Institute - Independent Study (IS) | Inquiries and Feedback (fema.gov)

The Climate Adaptation and Hazard Mitigation Certificate is a unique opportunity at the Emergency Management Institute! As the first EMI Certificate program and the first program to focus on climate change for emergency managers, this Certificate offers an unparalleled opportunity to learn about climate change, climate communications, and climate considerations to integrate into project planning.

The Climate Adaptation and Hazard Mitigation Certificate is an essential asset for emergency managers as it equips them with a nuanced understanding of climate science and its direct impact on disaster risk. It arms these professionals with the knowledge and tools to anticipate climate-related hazards and develop robust adaptation strategies. Understanding the evolving climate dynamics enables emergency managers to effectively plan for and mitigate the effects of extreme weather events, ensuring communities are more resilient in the face of climate change. The certificate not only signifies a commitment to best practices in emergency management but also prepares leaders to navigate and address the complexities of climate-induced emergencies with confidence and competence.

Students can use the following link to complete the IS1400 - Independent Study Foundations of Climate Science course, receive credit and receive a completion certificate.  Once participants have completed the required courses (3 electives, 4  EMI courses, and the Capstone) a single completion certificate will be awarded for entire program.