‘Climate x’ Leadership Training Program 2023

“U28 for COP28”

The Global Alliance of Universities on Climate (GAUC) is proud to announce the launch of the 'Climate x' Leadership Program 2023 this July, with the support of the Asian Universities Alliance (AUA), 28 Universities joined together, to provide an exceptional interdisciplinary platform for emerging leaders in climate and issues related to sustainable development goals. By empowering young people with the knowledge,

skills, and tools, helping them globally envision a sustainable future, taking meaningful action, and unlocking their potential as the '1.5 °C talent' for a carbon-neutral future

“Transitioning to a carbon-neutral economy does not just mean switching away from fossil fuels, it is, rather, a paradigm shift in development, which will give rise to a new model of modernization that can benefit the world and contribute to a green and prosperous future.”

----Lord Nicholas Stern

Chair of GAUC’s Academic Committee Chair of the Grantham Research Institute on Climate Change and the Environment at the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE).

Aligned with the Paris Agreement, which aimed to hold the increase in the global average temperature to well below 2 degrees above preindustrial levels and pursue efforts to limit the temperature increase even further to 1.5 degrees.

Who Are We?

The Global Alliance of Universities on Climate (GAUC) was established in 2019, and is comprised of 15 world-class universities from 9 countries on 6 continents. The mission of GAUC is to provide collective leadership in global higher education efforts addressing climate change.

Message to youth

—— GAUC member universities’ presidents deliver their expectations and encouragement to the future youth leaders.

Filmed in 2021

Program Partners

  • Global Partner
  • GAUC
  • AUA

Why ‘Climate x’?

Climate x emphasizes that the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the United Nations are closely related to each other. To achieve carbon neutralitv. we need to respect nature, and cross-disciplinary barriers, and exolore innovative solutions from the perspective of synergies between climate action and the other 16 SDGs.

Why Youth?

" We stand at a critical juncture in history, with the looming threat of climate change casting a shadow over our planet's future. But there is hope and a path forward that leads to a sustainable, carbon-neutral future. This is a task that requires the collective efforts of several generations, not just one. Today's youth are the leaders and pillars of tomorrow, and regardless of their future careers, they must consider carbon neutrality a common cause. That's why we must develop carbon-neutral talents early on."

----Dr.Binbin Wang

Executive Secretary-General of the Global Alliance of Universities on Climate

Youth are the backbone of a net-zero future. They are not only the inheritor, but also the owner, the creator, and the leaders of such a future.

In 2021, GAUC introduced the revolutionary concept of 'Climate x' and organized the highly successful Global Youth Net-zero Summit attracted1.25 million global participations

In 2022, GAUC upgrade the Summit to the 'Climate x' Campaign. The 'Climate x' Leadership Training Program was first initiated with strategic support from UNESCO, which opened to the students of 15 GAUC member universities, 100 Global Youth Ambassadorswere successfully trained and they are showing collective impacts now around the world

In 2023, the Training Program will be upgraded! GAUC & AUA will open the best educational resources to the global youth to help more college students to understand what the carbon-neutral future looks like and prepare them to be pioneers in building a net-zero future shared by all.

Who Should Apply?

The 2023 'Climate x' Leadership Training Program is open to college students worldwide from any discipline who:

- Identify with the cause of carbon neutrality and have a strong commitment to it.

- Demonstrate a strong interest in climate change and sustainability.

- Demonstrate outstanding leadership potential in previous studies or community involvement.

- Commit to participating in all components of the program and directly impacting at least 100 individuals.

- Demonstrate strong English comprehension and expression abilities.

Program Overiew

The 2023 'Climate x' Leadership Training Program follows a "Train the Trainer" approach that consists of a '1+3' Module structure:

"1"

Coursework Module

In July, students will dedicate approximately 5 hours per week to complete a series of self-paced online coursework and interactive Q&A sessions. This module combines the 'Climate x' Theme courses contributed by professors & researchers from world-class universities within GAUC and AUA to see the future we choose, enhance scientific ingenuity, deepen global governance understanding, and broaden international perspective, as well as the leadership courses to inspire self-exploration and ignite intrinsic drive for self-actualization.

"3"

Practice Module

Students need to organize 3 local offline or hybrid training practice events which can be delivered in rich and diverse forms, directly impacting a minimum of 100 individuals collectively. The third event will be arranged during the 2023 Global Youth Climate Week.

The Global Youth Climate Week was first proposed by GAUC Secretariat to the UNFCCC. Then-executive Secretary Patricia Espinosa affirmed that the proposal would be a profound contribution to the global climate agenda. And it was co-initiated by GAUC and 100 global partners together one week before COP27. And the second Global Youth Climate Week this year will be held one week before COP28.

The Training Program also offers bonus workshops and lectures to broaden the horizon of knowledge and vision, including:

  • Youth mentor workshops

    Students will have the opportunity to meet the Global Youth Ambassadors from last year's program and hear their stories and adventures

  • Guest speaker lectures

    Students will also have the opportunity to meet the global climate leaders and industry experts that GAUC invited and explore various climate-related topics in-depth.

  • Field visits and practices

    Witness the Climate reality and create solutions.

  • International Platforms

    Global Youth Climate Week, Global Youth Summit on Net-zero Future, COP28……etc.

Class Providers

Launch Speech

Global Climate Governance

Sciences Po

  • Climate x Disaster

    United Arab Emirates University

    University of Colombo

    The University of Tokyo

  • Climate x Clean Power

    London School of Economics and Political Science

    Federal University of Rio de Janeiro

    Indian Institute of Science

  • Climate x Health

    The University of Tokyo

    Nazarbayev University

  • Climate x Sustainable Fashion

    Tsinghua University

    KERING

    The University of Tokyo

Leadership

Sciences Po

Last Year Academic Session Overview

Curriculum

  • 2023.05-2023.06

    Enrollment starts

  • 2023.07

    Self-paced online coursework and interactive sessions with lecturers

  • 2023.08-2023.10

    First and second training practices. Plentiful opportunities to interact with youth mentors and guest speakers

  • 2023.11.20-2023.11.24

    Third training on2023 Global Youth Climate Week . Reflect on personal growth and make youth voices heard to contribute to the success of COP28!

  • 2023.12

    Upon Completion of the ‘1+3’ Module, students will be awarded a certificate of completion and recognized as certified‘Climate x’ Youth Trainers

    . Excellent performers during Global Youth Climate Week will be awarded as ‘Climate x’ Youth Pioneers

  • 2023.11.30-2023.12.12

    Exceptional students may also be honored with the title of Global Youth Ambassador, with the offical announcement scheduled during COP28.

Accomplish all requirements above, students will be awarded a certification issued by GAUC and AUA universities.

How to Apply

To apply to this program, students are required to complete the application and provide the following materials:

A brief paragraph addressing why you would like to join this program

A resume.

Contact Info

gaucevent@tsinghua.edu.cn

*If you have any inquiries orhaving trouble submit your application,please email uswith the heading
“2023Climate x LeadershipProgram!”

Join Us !

Enlighten Your Polar Star
for the Net-Zero Future