Live Online

Session Date

September 14, 2026 - September 18, 2026

Application Deadline

August 15, 2026

Program Fee

$5100

Faculty Chair

Robert Stavins

Program Director

Ariana Diaz Trontino

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We are still accepting applications for the current session. Please contact the program director for additional information.
Group Enrollment: Tuition discounts are available for groups of five or more. Learn more here.

Executive Certificate: This program is a core program in the Economic Development and Public Policy concentrations. This program can also be used as a third program for several concentrations in the Executive Certificate series.

Program Overview

Climate change leaders face a uniquely challenging policy landscape: your critically important work requires a coordinated effort among governments at every level, as well as critical technological innovation that stays up to date with the latest research, all while also remaining economically feasible and sustainable.

Climate Change Policy: Economics and Politics, an online executive program developed and taught by Harvard Kennedy School faculty, is designed to specifically address these complex obstacles. Led by Faculty Chair Robert Stavins, Director of the Harvard Environmental Economics Program and the Harvard Project on Climate Agreements, this five-day, immersive program is for managers, analysts, and leaders both inside and outside governments working to combat the pressing reality of climate change. Together with a global cohort, you will explore the latest research, analytical tools, and conceptual frameworks to better understand and advance your work towards climate-related policies.

illustration of schedule

Program Curriculum

In our Climate Change Policy: Economics and Politics executive program, you and peers from around the world will examine the basic science of climate change as well as public policy aimed at mitigation. Group interaction, individual projects, and carefully selected readings, videos, and online networking sessions complement live faculty sessions.

Learning Objectives

The curriculum for Climate Change Policy: Economics and Politics explores:

The economics underlying effective climate change public policy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions (i.e., “mitigation” policies)
The design and implementation of mitigation policy at the sub-national, national, regional (groups of nations), and global levels
The goals, structure, and history of the Paris Agreement—and prospects for the agreement’s successful implementation
The important role of technological innovation in addressing climate change, with a focus on enhancing energy efficiency
Strategies to adapt to the impacts of climate change, especially in urban areas, and enhance infrastructure resilience

Application Information

Our Climate Change Policy: Economics and Politics executive program is designed for senior leaders with wide-ranging backgrounds and responsibilities. Those who will find value in this program include:

Government officials with responsibility for climate change and energy policy, including improving infrastructure resilience
Senior staff at intergovernmental and nongovernmental organizations dealing with climate and energy
Executives at large corporations affected by environmental or climate regulation or that manufacture products or provide services in the energy sector
Professionals in financial, accounting, or legal services whose clients may be affected by environmental or climate regulation

Online sessions take place each weekday during the length of the program. Participants will be expected to spend about five hours in preparation for the program and about three hours working after each class session. View the draft program schedule. Note that module titles, speakers, and sequence may change.

What is “Climate Change Policy: Economics and Politics”?
A five‑day, online executive education program from Harvard Kennedy School that focuses on the economics, politics, and science underlying effective climate change policy, including greenhouse gas mitigation and climate adaptation.
What does the program focus on?
The program explores the basic science of climate change, the economics of mitigation policies, the political and institutional context of climate agreements, and strategies for both reducing emissions and adapting to climate impacts—especially in urban settings.
Who leads the program?
Climate Change Policy: Economics and Politics is led by Faculty Chair Robert Stavins, Director of the Harvard Environmental Economics Program and the Harvard Project on Climate Agreements, along with other Harvard Kennedy School faculty.
How is the program structured (format and learning methods)?
This interactive online program combines live faculty sessions with group interactions, individual projects, curated readings and videos, and online networking sessions with a global cohort of peers.
What key topics and learning objectives does the curriculum cover?
The curriculum covers the economics of climate mitigation policy, the design and implementation of climate policy at sub‑national, national, regional, and global levels, the goals and history of the Paris Agreement and its implementation prospects, the role of technological innovation and energy efficiency, and strategies for climate adaptation and infrastructure resilience.
Who should attend Climate Change Policy: Economics and Politics?
Senior leaders and professionals responsible for or affected by climate and energy policy, including government officials, staff at intergovernmental and nongovernmental organizations, corporate executives in regulated or energy‑related sectors, and professionals in finance, accounting, and law whose clients face environmental or climate regulation.

Hear From the Faculty Chair

Learn more about Climate Change Policy: Economics and Politics from Faculty Chair Robert Stavins, the A.J. Meyer Professor of Energy and Economic Development.