Applications are now open for fully funded master’s programs — including Columbia University’s Master of Science (MS) in Climate Finance. Columbia has launched Year 2 of this pioneering one-year program that bridges climate science, finance, and policy to prepare the next generation of climate-finance leaders. Students gain practical skills, engage with global experts, and study in New York City, home to major financial institutions and the United Nations.

The MS in Climate Finance is offered by the Columbia Climate School in close collaboration with the Columbia Business School, combining scientific rigor with world-class financial training.

A Fully Funded Pathway for Climate-Finance Professionals

Columbia University offers competitive funding opportunities, including the Stanley Park Climate Finance Scholarships, designed for students committed to public or nonprofit leadership. The scholarships prioritize applicants from emerging and developing economies, expanding access to high-quality climate-finance education.

Program Overview

The 39-credit, one-year MS in Climate Finance provides a comprehensive foundation in climate science, climate risk, sustainable finance, sovereign finance, investment principles, climate policy, and resilience financing. The program is ideal for finance professionals, climate practitioners, and newcomers seeking to enter the field with purpose.

Students study in New York City, a global center for finance, diplomacy, sustainability, and innovation, and interact regularly with practitioners from financial institutions, development organizations, and climate-focused industries.

Program Features

Students receive interdisciplinary training in:

• Climate science, climate variability, and climate impacts

• Adaptation and mitigation strategies

• Corporate finance, asset valuation, capital markets, and investment analysis

• Energy transition finance, project finance, and infrastructure financing

• Climate-risk assessment, disclosure frameworks, and scenario planning

• International climate finance, sovereign finance, and global climate-funding mechanisms

• Nature finance, impact investing, and climate-tech finance

This integrated approach prepares graduates to mobilize capital, assess climate risks, and implement financial strategies that support climate mitigation and adaptation worldwide.

Program Leadership

Lisa Sachs, Associate Professor of Professional Practice; Director, Columbia Center on Sustainable Investment; Director, MS in Climate Finance

Curriculum Overview

The curriculum enables students to:

• Understand the science of climate change and its economic, social, and environmental impacts

• Translate climate research and data into financial and business decision-making

• Assess climate-related risks and opportunities across sectors

• Apply financial tools to support the energy transition and resilience investments

• Evaluate investor strategies for climate solutions in a carbon-constrained global economy

• Navigate emerging technologies, global climate policy, and sustainable finance frameworks

Selected Core Courses

Climate Change Mitigation
A survey of technologies, policies, and market structures that reduce greenhouse gas emissions, with case studies from diverse economies.

Climate Change Adaptation
An interdisciplinary examination of climate resilience, global vulnerabilities, and governance strategies for adaptation.

Dynamics of Climate Variability and Change
A science-based course connecting climate mechanisms to societal impacts and emphasizing the communication of climate data.

Foundations of Valuation
Training in financial instruments, valuation methods, present value formulas, CAPM, options pricing, and financial modeling.

Corporate Finance
Enterprise valuation, capital structure, free cash flows, discounted cash flow analysis, and case-based financial decision-making.

Capital Markets and Investments
Asset valuation, portfolio theory, arbitrage, market efficiency, and analysis of investment vehicles.

Climate Finance
Exploration of renewable energy finance, carbon markets, climate technology financing, ESG investing, and climate-related fixed-income products.

Climate Risk
Physical, market, policy, and technological risks, financial stress testing, disclosures, and corporate scenario planning.

International Climate Finance
Examination of global climate funds, development banks, sovereign finance, and investment flows in developing and developed economies.

Practical Experience

During the final semester, students complete a capstone workshop or internship with institutions in finance, policy, development, sustainability, or climate technology. This practical experience strengthens professional readiness and deepens applied learning.

Professional Pathways

Graduates pursue careers in:

• Banking and financial institutions

• Asset management and investment firms

• Consulting and advisory services

• Climate-tech and sustainability innovation

• Multilateral development banks and UN agencies

• Government ministries of finance, environment, or planning

• Non-governmental and mission-driven organizations

As global climate finance expands, graduates play critical roles in evaluating climate risks, mobilizing capital, shaping policy, and driving investment toward climate solutions.

The Climate School’s career management team provides tailored guidance, networking opportunities, and industry connections from enrollment through employment.

Student Experience and Community

Students join a global network of alumni working across sustainable finance, development, policy, and climate innovation. The program offers opportunities to participate in events, research, industry workshops, climate-finance discussions, and collaborations across Columbia University and partner institutions.

How to Apply

Applicants should demonstrate strong analytical ability, leadership potential, and a commitment to climate and finance.

Apply here: https://www.climate.columbia.edu/ms-climate-finance
Information sessions will be announced soon.

How to Apply to Columbia Climate School

Stanley Park Climate Finance Scholarships