Designed for working professionals and career-changers, the UBC Continuing Studies Centre for Sustainability (CSCS) reaches beyond the UBC campus to offer innovative courses and programs that have a positive impact on society and its institutions. Current offerings are listed below.

Summer Institute in Sustainability Leadership

An award-winning one-week professional development program designed for those wanting to accelerate the sustainability agenda within their organization. Participants gain the perspectives and strategies needed to develop policies, create plans and manage sustainability projects.

Institute Highlights:

• Inspiring speakers from corporate, academic, non-profit and government sectors share knowledge and best practices
• Interactive format provides opportunities for networking and encourages the exchange of ideas
• Applied case studies and guided field excursions showcase real-world examples of sustainability initiatives

Offered annually, the upcoming Institute runs July 8-12, 2013. View cstudies.ubc.ca/SISL for more info.

Award of Achievement in Sustainability Management

The Sustainability Management program is designed for individuals who wish to help build sustainability into their organizations or communities. Courses in this management program address how to approach new market opportunities and challenges, resource scarcity, and GHG emissions management in an increasingly complex and globalized world. The program is designed to challenge traditional practices and teach participants how to transform an organization to support a sustainable future.

Most courses are offered part-time and are delivered downtown at UBC Robson Square. Courses include:

Required (In-Class)

• Introduction to Sustainability: From Origins to Applications
• Sustainability Leadership: Strategy to Transformation
• Sustainability Planning for Performance: Measuring Outcomes
• Organizational Sustainability: Embedding Sustainable Systems in Operations

Elective (In-Class)

• Innovative Green Marketing and Branding
• Introduction to Greenhouse Gas Accounting and Reporting       
• Strategies for Sustainable Communities
• Co-operative Sustainability in Aboriginal and Non-Aboriginal Communities       
• Lifecycle Assessment: a Practical Introduction to the Science of Sustainability
• Sustainable Food Systems: Issues and Implications       
• Sustainable Energy Systems: Understanding Renewable and Clean Energy
• The Heart of Sustainability: Deepening Our Commitment to a Sustainable World

Elective (100% Online)

• Climate Literacy: Navigating Climate Conversations (100% online)
• Greening the Supply Chain: Responsible Business Practices (100% online)

Elective (Green Building Focus)

• Passive House Design and Construction
• LEED® Green Building Strategies and Green Associate Exam Preparation                   
• Building Green with LEED®: LEED® Canada for New Construction 2009

Elective (Intensive One-Week Format)

• UBC Summer Institute in Sustainability Leadership

Courses are offered throughout the year, and may be taken individually or as part of the Award of Achievement in Sustainability Management. For additional program information, visit: cstudies.ubc.ca/SMGT.

Certificate in Decision Making for Climate Change

Navigate conversations about climate change and climate policy with diplomacy and confidence in this four-course, 100% online program. Students learn the most up-to-date knowledge on climate literacy, policy, mitigation, and adaptation; explore the causes and impacts of global warming; government policies and the economics of climate change; strategic planning to respond to and minimize climate change; and the financial, environmental and business aspects of mitigation efforts.

This program is offered in partnership with three leading American universities. Space permitting, UBC’s online ‘Climate Literacy’ course may be taken individually (next intake: September 2013). For more information, visit: cstudies.ubc.ca/DMCC.

Sustainability Lectures, Debates, and Summer Institute Intensives

Informative and often provocative lectures and debates address the challenges of building a sustainable future.  Many talks are free or low-cost, and are made available online as high quality audio podcasts.

Visit the UBC Continuing Studies Centre for Sustainability website for more information.