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Curriculum

The Green Chemistry for Climate and Sustainability Certificate Program is a 9-month, online, admissions-based curriculum for professionals and students in the chemical enterprise and related fields who wish to use the power and potential of green and sustainable chemistry and engineering to mitigate global climate and environmental challenges.

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    Program Overview

    With over 96% of all manufactured goods touched by the chemistry enterprise, there is an urgent need for professionals who can lead the chemicals sector to one that simultaneously maximizes product function while addressing climate change and sustainability concerns. The challenges posed by many commercial chemicals to society, the climate and the environment have become increasingly clear in recent years as have the solutions to those challenges. The Certificate Program in Green Chemistry for Climate and Sustainability is committed to teaching Green Chemistry and Green Engineering applications to address global and local challenges related to both the Global South as well as industrialized nations, and will include fundamental knowledge of the drivers, barriers and opportunities to implement safer chemicals and processes. As the global community pursues the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, companies will be looking for guidance from professionals trained in sustainable practices. This program is designed for public, private and nonprofit professionals and advanced students who share an interest in creating a more sustainable chemical enterprise. The program does not require an extensive background in chemistry.

    The Green Chemistry for Climate and Sustainability online certificate program was developed by the Yale School of the Environment and the Center for Green Chemistry and Green Engineering. The certificate program seeks to educate and empower leaders to provide climate-ready solutions within the chemical enterprise. Fundamental knowledge of the drivers, barriers and opportunities to implement safer chemicals and processes as the global community pursues the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and companies transition to more sustainable practices will be provided through completion of the four-course program.   

    Format

    This online certificate program consists of four, 8-week courses with a final capstone project and hybrid conference hosted at the Yale University School of the Environment. Each course has a theme based around green chemistry and green engineering concepts and will have readings and assignments to complement the video lectures by faculty experts. Weekly synchronous online sessions will provide opportunities for discussions with experts in the field of Green Chemistry and Green Engineering as well as associated fields alongside meaningful and thoughtful engagements with fellow online learners. 

    beads of water on a tropical leaf

    Key Learning Goals

    • Gain a deeper understanding of the applicability and power of Green Chemistry and Green Engineering principles to global and local challenges in both the Global South and industrialized nations as the chemical enterprise transitions in response to climate and sustainability needs. 
    • Evaluate and integrate the knowledge and tools available to defossilize and reduce hazard within the chemical enterprise using the intersection between science and technology in combination with the societal, economic, policy, cultural, moral and ethical ecosystem. 
    • Learn about the innovative power of Green Chemistry and Green Engineering to create sustainable solutions.
    • Leverage opportunities and learn how to overcome barriers to creating sustainable businesses by examining business and environmental regulatory drivers.
    • Learners will expand a world-wide professional network and develop the skills to become leaders in the chemical enterprise as it responds to climate and sustainability challenges.

    Course Description and Timeline (2025-2026)


    August 11-12, 2025

    Orientation

    Introduction to program, key faculty, staff, Canvas online platform, and fellow online learners 

    Monday, August 25 - Friday, October 17

    Course 1: Essence of Green Chemistry

    • Module 1: Why Green Chemistry?
    • Module 2: Climate Change
    • Module 3: Sustainability
    • Module 4: Food, Nutrition, Wellness, and Clean Water
    • Module 5: Energy and Transportation
    • Module 6: Buildings and Sustainable Shelter
    • Module 7: Environmental Justice and Biodiversity
    • Module 8: Capstone I

    October 18-26

    Fall Break

    Monday, October 27 - Friday, December 19

    Course 2: Green Chemistry in Practice

    • Module 1: What We Do
    • Module 2: Using Waste and Renewable Feedstocks
    • Module 3: Design for Climate
    • Module 4: Catalysis and Earth Abundant Catalysts
    • Module 5: Healthful Rather Than Toxic
    • Module 6: Molecular Design for Reduced Toxicity/Safe and Sustainable by Design
    • Module 7: Degradable Rather Than Persistent/Bioaccumulative
    • Module 8: Capstone II

    December 20 - January 11

    Winter Break

    Monday, January 12 - Friday, March 6

    Course 3: Green Chemistry: Accelerating and Implementing for Impact

    • Module 1: What Must Change to Bring Green Chemistry Processes to Scale?
    • Module 2: Biomimicry
    • Module 3: Conceptual Frameworks
    • Module 4: Economics and Markets
    • Module 5: Metrics
    • Module 6: Policies and Regulations
    • Module 7: Tools
    • Module 8: Capstone III

    March 7 - March 15

    Spring Break

    Monday, March 16 - Friday, May 8

    Course 4: Green Chemistry: Noble Goals

    • Module 1: Hippocratic Oath for Chemistry
    • Module 2: Design for Posterity
    • Module 3: Life-Compatible Products and Processes
    • Module 4: Zero Waste
    • Module 5: Chemistry is Equitable and Fully Inclusive
    • Module 6: Benefits Distributed Equitably
    • Module 7: Extraordinary Chemical Knowledge Comes with Extraordinary Responsibility
    • Module 8: Final Capstone Presentation

    Date TBA

    Hybrid Conference, Yale University


    Kroon Hall on the Yale Campus

    Yale School of the Environment (YSE)

    Since 1900, YSE has addressed the world’s most critical environmental challenges through research, practice-based scholarship, and public engagement. Our internationally renowned faculty lead rigorous coursework across ten learning communities, each focused on a different area of expertise. Their innovative research, completed with students and staff across Yale and within numerous disciplines, is changing how we understand the environment, conservation, and sustainability.  

    By joining YSE, you can become an integral part of this robust and diverse community of learners committed to addressing the planet’s most pressing environmental challenges.