Climate finance has become one of the most important pillars of global efforts to combat climate change. As countries work toward achieving their climate goals under the Paris Agreement and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), professionals with expertise in climate finance are in growing demand.

To help governments, development practitioners, financial institutions, civil society organizations, and individuals understand how climate finance works, the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR), through UN CC:Learn and in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Asia-Pacific Climate Finance Network (CFN), is offering the Scaling Climate Finance self-paced online course.

This flexible online learning opportunity is designed to equip participants with the knowledge and practical understanding needed to mobilize, manage, and scale climate finance for mitigation and adaptation efforts. Participants who successfully complete the course can also obtain an official UN Digital Certificate.

About the Scaling Climate Finance Course

The Scaling Climate Finance course is a 7-hour self-paced online programme that provides comprehensive knowledge about the climate finance ecosystem.

The course explores how governments, financial institutions, businesses, civil society organizations, and international partners can work together to mobilize financial resources that support climate action.

As climate change continues to impact billions of people worldwide, financing climate solutions has become more urgent than ever. This course demonstrates how public finance, private investment, innovative financial mechanisms, and effective policy coordination can significantly increase investments in climate resilience and low-carbon development.

Although many of the case studies focus on countries in the Asia-Pacific region, the concepts, tools, and approaches are relevant to participants from every region of the world.

Course Overview

Provider: UNITAR through UN CC:Learn
Partner: UNDP Asia-Pacific Climate Finance Network (CFN)
Course Format: Self-paced online learning
Duration: Approximately 7 hours
Language: English
Certificate: UN Digital Certificate (available after successful completion and payment of certification fee)
Certification Fee: USD 30
Global Accessibility: Open to participants worldwide

Why Climate Finance Matters

Climate change affects every country and every sector of society. Responding effectively requires substantial financial resources to:

Reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Strengthen climate resilience.
Protect vulnerable communities.
Support sustainable development.
Build greener economies.

Despite growing investments, current climate finance remains far below what is needed globally. This course helps participants understand how to bridge that financing gap using existing and emerging financial tools.

What You Will Learn

Upon completing the course, participants will be able to:

1. Understand Climate Finance Systems

Participants will learn about:

Climate finance sources
Financial instruments
Climate finance mechanisms
Mitigation financing
Adaptation financing

2. Identify Key Climate Finance Actors

The course explains the roles played by:

Governments
Ministries of Finance
Planning agencies
Development banks
Private investors
Civil society organizations
International organizations

3. Improve Public Climate Finance

Participants will explore methods for:

Better budgeting
Public financial management
Climate-responsive planning
Coordinated climate investment

4. Mobilize Private Climate Finance

The course examines innovative financing approaches including:

Blended finance
Private capital mobilisation
Innovative financial mechanisms
Climate investment instruments

5. Apply Gender Equality and Social Inclusion

A major focus of the course is ensuring climate finance reaches:

Women
Vulnerable populations
Marginalized communities
At-risk groups

Participants will understand how gender-responsive climate finance creates more effective and equitable climate investments.

6. Improve Public Investment Management

Participants will gain knowledge on:

Public Investment Management (PIM)
Public Finance Management (PFM)
Climate-smart public investments
Evidence-based investment planning

Course Structure

The programme consists of five learning modules followed by a final assessment.

Module 1

What is Climate Finance?

Module 2

Making Public Finance Go Further for Climate Action

Module 3

Mobilising Private and Innovative Climate Finance

Module 4

Financing a Climate Change Plan

Module 5

Scaling Climate-Smart Public Investment Management

Final Quiz

Participants complete quizzes throughout the course and a final assessment.

Who Should Take This Course?

This programme is suitable for a broad audience, including:

Ministry of Finance officials
Government policymakers
Climate change practitioners
Development professionals
Parliamentarians
Planning ministries
Central banks
State-owned enterprises
Financial regulators
Securities commissions
Private sector professionals
Investors
NGOs
Civil society organizations
Think tanks
Researchers
Universities
Training institutions
Citizens interested in climate finance

Gender Equality and Social Inclusion

One of the strengths of this course is its commitment to inclusive climate finance.

Participants will examine practical examples demonstrating how climate finance can better serve:

Women
Vulnerable populations
Socially excluded communities
Climate-affected groups

Real-world case studies illustrate how inclusive financing leads to stronger and more sustainable climate outcomes.

Benefits of Participating

Participants will enjoy several advantages, including:

Learn from UNITAR and UNDP experts.
Study entirely online at your own pace.
Gain practical knowledge applicable across sectors.
Understand innovative climate finance mechanisms.
Build expertise in climate investment planning.
Learn about public and private climate finance.
Develop skills relevant to government, NGOs, and financial institutions.
Access engaging videos, interactive lessons, case studies, and exercises.
Strengthen career prospects in sustainability and climate finance.
Earn a UN Digital Certificate upon successful completion.

Certification

Participants who achieve:

70% or higher on all quizzes

become eligible for the official UNITAR UN Digital Certificate.

Important certification information:

Participants have up to three attempts for each quiz.
The certificate becomes available after payment of the USD 30 certification fee.
The digital certificate can be downloaded and shared professionally.

About UNITAR

The United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) develops learning solutions that strengthen decision-making and support implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals worldwide.

Its work focuses on advancing peace, people, planet, and prosperity through high-quality education and professional development.

About the UNDP Climate Finance Network

The UNDP Asia-Pacific Climate Finance Network supports governments and institutions in strengthening climate finance reforms across eighteen countries in the Asia-Pacific region.

The network works with ministries, development partners, financial institutions, and the private sector to scale financing for climate action.

How to Enrol

Interested participants can enrol through the UN CC:Learn online learning platform.

After registration, learners can immediately begin the self-paced modules and complete the programme according to their own schedule.

Enrol Here

Deadline

There is no application deadline for enrolling in the Scaling Climate Finance course. Participants can register and begin learning at their convenience.

For more information, visit the official website

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UNITAR Scaling Climate Finance Online Course 2026: Earn a UN Digital Certificate and Master Climate Finance Strategies ·Unknown