Cities generate roughly 75% of global greenhouse gas emissions — and they are also where solutions take root. As climate impacts intensify, urban leaders face mounting social, economic, and environmental challenges, from strained infrastructure to stressed ecosystems, particularly in low to moderate income countries. This program equips you to meet this moment head-on. Online learners will develop a deep understanding of urban climate dynamics, deploy proven mitigation and adaptation strategies from cities worldwide, and build practical skills to navigate policies, financing, and stakeholders that turn plans into reality. Online learners will develop specialized expertise in urban and community forestry, drawing on The Forest School at YSE's deep tradition in this area. Few programs worldwide integrate these nature-based climate solutions into urban practice at the city and community scale.

• Dive into urban climate dynamics — Understand how cities both drive and experience climate change, from infrastructure systems to human impacts
• Deploy scalable solutions — Learn proven mitigation and adaptation strategies and tools through global case studies you can apply immediately
• Build real strategies — Navigate the decision-makers, policies, and financing that turn climate plans into action
• Specialize in urban forestry — draw upon The Forest School at YSE’s deep expertise in this area, integrating urban and community forestry as a catalyst for climate resilience 
• Create meaningful connections — Join a global network and develop the relationships needed to create climate-resilient, equitable cities

• Individuals committed to the work of building and adapting cities for a changing climate 
• Public, private, and nonprofit professionals with a bachelor's degree — especially those from the Global South — eager to learn both from the world’s foremost experts in their fields and alongside a global network of online learners 
• Environmental leaders eager to grow in knowledge and skillset to make the greatest impact in their communities 
• Champions of equitable land use planning, clean energy deployment, low-carbon mobility, thriving greenspaces, and much more