Scaling Climate Finance E-Course by UNITAR and UNDP – Free Certified Climate Finance Training for Global Learners

The Scaling Climate Finance e-course is a free, self-paced online learning opportunity designed to strengthen understanding of the global climate finance system and how finance can be mobilised to address climate change. Offered in English and delivered entirely online, the Scaling Climate Finance course responds to the urgent and growing need for knowledge and capacity in climate finance as countries and institutions work to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to climate impacts.

Climate change is no longer a distant or abstract threat. Its impacts are already being felt worldwide, affecting economies, ecosystems, and societies daily. Addressing climate change requires large-scale investments, with global needs amounting to trillions of dollars annually. However, only a fraction of this required finance is currently being mobilised. The Scaling Climate Finance e-course was developed to help bridge this gap by equipping participants with practical knowledge about climate finance sources, instruments, mechanisms, and coordination strategies.

The course is designed and delivered by the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR), in collaboration with UNDP’s Asia-Pacific Climate Finance Network (CFN). It aligns with global climate and development priorities and supports climate change literacy by empowering individuals to understand, access, and scale finance for climate action.

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Eligibility Criteria: Who Can Apply for the Scaling Climate Finance Course

The Scaling Climate Finance e-course is open to a broad and diverse audience. There are no country restrictions, and participants from all regions of the world are eligible to enrol. While many case studies are drawn from the Asia-Pacific region, the tools, instruments, and approaches taught in the course are designed to be globally relevant and applicable.

Who Should Take This Course

The course is suitable for individuals and professionals involved in or interested in climate finance and climate action, including but not limited to:

• Policy, planning, and technical staff responsible for managing or mobilising climate finance at national and sub-national levels

• Staff from Ministries of Finance, Planning Ministries, and sector-specific line ministries

• Sub-national governments and parliamentarians

• Professionals from quasi-governmental institutions such as:

  • Central and state banks

  • State-owned enterprises and parastatals

  • Supreme audit institutions

  • Securities or exchange commissions

• Private sector stakeholders and market facilitators involved in climate-aligned investments

• Practitioners from non-governmental organisations (NGOs), civil society organisations, and think tanks

• Education, training, and research institutions focusing on climate-related issues

• Citizens interested in understanding climate finance and holding institutions accountable

Educational Requirements

There are no formal educational prerequisites specified for the Scaling Climate Finance e-course. The course is designed to be accessible to learners with varying levels of experience, from beginners seeking foundational knowledge to professionals looking to deepen their understanding of climate finance systems.

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Program Details: Structure, Duration, Language, and Certification

The Scaling Climate Finance e-course is a self-paced online programme with a total estimated learning time of 5 hours. Participants can complete the course at their own pace, making it suitable for working professionals and learners with varying schedules.

Key Program Details

• Course Type: Online e-learning course

• Study Mode: Self-paced

• Duration: Approximately 5 hours

• Language: English

• Fees: Free of charge

• Certification: Free certificate of completion

Course Structure

The course is structured into four core modules and a final quiz. Each module includes a combination of short videos, interactive lessons, practical exercises, and case studies.

Module Breakdown:

1. Module 1: What is Climate Finance?

2. Module 2: Making Public Finance Go Further for Climate Action

3. Module 3: Mobilising Private and Innovative Climate Finance

4. Module 4: Financing a Climate Change Plan

5. Final Quiz

The course content is developed using a gender equality and social inclusion lens, ensuring that climate finance planning and decision-making processes consider vulnerable and at-risk populations.

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Learning Outcomes: What You Will Learn

By completing the Scaling Climate Finance e-course, participants will be able to:

• Identify key climate finance sources, instruments, and mechanisms

• Explain how climate finance tools interact to enable mitigation and adaptation

• Understand the roles and responsibilities of different actors within the climate finance system

• Outline tools and approaches to coordinate public climate finance more efficiently

• Identify innovative climate finance mechanisms, including private sector financing

• Apply gender equality and social inclusion principles to climate finance planning and investment

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Certification Requirements

Participants who wish to receive a certificate of completion must:

• Complete all course modules

• Pass the final quiz with a minimum score of 70%

• Achieve the passing score within three attempts

The certificate is issued free of charge upon successful completion.

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How to Apply for the Scaling Climate Finance E-Course

Applying for the Scaling Climate Finance e-course is straightforward and fully online.

Application Process

1. Visit the official course platform

2. Create an account or log in

3. Enrol in the Scaling Climate Finance e-course

4. Complete the modules and final quiz at your own pace

There is no application fee, and enrolment is open on a rolling basis unless otherwise stated on the platform.

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Important Dates and Deadlines

• Course Duration: 5 hours (self-paced)

• Application Deadline: Not specified (open enrolment)

Participants are encouraged to enrol early to begin learning and benefit from the certification.

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Partners and Implementing Organizations

About UNITAR

The United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) provides innovative learning solutions to enhance global decision-making and support country-level action. UNITAR’s work aligns with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, focusing on the pillars of Peace, People, Planet, and Prosperity.

About UNDP’s Asia-Pacific Climate Finance Network (CFN)

The Climate Finance Network (CFN) is managed by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). It supports governments, private sector actors, and development partners in scaling climate finance reforms across eighteen countries in Asia and the Pacific, with support from the UK FCDO and the Government of Sweden.

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The Scaling Climate Finance e-course is a valuable, free learning opportunity for anyone seeking to understand how climate finance enables effective climate action. By offering flexible, self-paced learning, practical tools, and free certification, the course empowers individuals and institutions worldwide to play an active role in scaling climate finance and addressing the global climate crisis.

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Apply here

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