Climate Risk

Graduate Diploma in Climate Risk Assessment and Opportunity

Fully Online

Courses are fully online and asynchronous, except for those in the Business and Climate Impact area, which are both synchronous and asynchronous.

Learn At Your Own Pace

Flexible, fully online courses allow you to customize your pace to fit your career and schedule.

Future Forward

Designed with the future in mind, this program prepares you to tackle emergent issues in climate impact and sustainability.

Now Accepting Applications for Fall 2025!

How To Apply Ask Us Anything

What is Climate Risk?

While sustainability addresses how to mitigate climate change using a reactive approach to what is already present, climate risk addresses the expected risks that are associated with the growing issue of climate change.

The knowledge of climate risks can be used proactively to help companies plan for expected risks that may impact their business or industry and help mitigate the issues climate change can cause. In government, climate risk assessment will assist in developing policies to support businesses, industries, and people in their efforts to mitigate the risks due to climate change and it's impact. Such skills enhancement requires the knowledge advancement aspect different from the traditional field of environment and sustainability.

Western University

We combine research excellence with a transformational student experience to create a meaningful impact in our comunities and beyond.

Top 1%

of universities in the world

(Center for World University Rankings 2023)

Top 3

universities in Canada for student services

(Maclean's University Rankings 2024)

Top 10

in the world for sustainable development

(Times Higher Education Impact Rankings 2024)

Changing climate. Changing demands.

Climate change is already having a significant effect on Canada and other parts of the world. Losses due to extreme weather (i.e., rain/flood, high wind, hail, wildland fire) having been growing at an alarming rate across the globe.

A recent study has projected that by the end of the century, the economic losses could be six times higher than previously estimated.

In another report published earlier this year by the Swiss Re Institute, it is predicted that with the current global warming trajectory, by 2050, the economic losses due to climate change could be up to 10% of the total global economic value.

The changing climate, including increased frequency and intensity of extreme weather events and the creeping changes in climate parameters, forces consideration of potential changes over the long service life of assets and resources.