DC599 - Graduate Certificate in Climate Action, Energy and Public Policy
Ireland is at a pivotal moment in its climate journey. With the enactment of the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Act 2021, the country now has legally binding climate targets: a 51% reduction in emissions by 2030 and climate neutrality by 2050. However, while sector-specific skills needs have been identified, there is a critical gap in the expertise required for effective climate policy development and implementation across interconnected systems of governance, economy, and society.
This bespoke programme is designed to fill that gap.
Developed through extensive consultation with regional authorities, business networks, civil society, and public agencies, this programme responds to an urgent national need. It aims to equip current and future policy-makers, industry leaders, implementation agencies, and civil society actors with the interdisciplinary knowledge and strategic skills needed to lead Ireland’s just and equitable transition to a zero-carbon society—all while navigating complex, real-world policy, economic and intergenerational challenges.
Key Learning Objectives
Participants will:
- Understand the governance frameworks and legal mandates driving climate action in Ireland and the EU.
- Analyse the interdisciplinary nature of climate challenges—linking policy, science, economics, and social justice.
- Gain practical skills in policy design, evaluation, and implementation.
- Explore the intergenerational implications of climate action and economic development choices.
- Build networks of practice across public, private and non-profit sectors.
- Learn to navigate complexity in multi-level governance structures, from local to international levels.
The course is designed to provide key skills in policy analysis, implementation review and an appreciation of the complexities in managing societal transitions.
This programme is tailored for:
- Policy professionals in government or implementation agencies
- Sustainability leads in SMEs, large enterprises, and FDI firms
- Planners, regulators, and local authority staff
- Leaders in NGOs, civil society and community development
- Professionals transitioning into climate policy roles
- Environmental Scientists
Course Structure
The course is delivered online to suit working professionals. Modules include:
- Public Policy Analysis: This module equips students with the analytical tools and conceptual frameworks necessary to critically assess policy proposals and their likely impacts. Grounded in key principles of social and environmental sciences, it prepares students to understand and evaluate the multifaceted dimensions of policy development and implementation in real-world contexts.
- Sustainable Enterprise & Innovation: This module is designed for executives and professionals seeking to future-proof their organisations by aligning innovation, entrepreneurship, and sustainability strategy. It equips participants with the foresight and strategic tools needed to respond to rapidly evolving market conditions, identify sustainability-driven opportunities, and design transformative business models. Participants will explore how sustainability challenges—when approached proactively—can unlock new revenue streams, foster resilient business strategies, and enhance long-term value creation. Through a focus on emerging technologies, this module empowers students to map out a social, environmental, and economic sustainability roadmap tailored to their organisational context.
-
Future Generations: Priorities, Policies, Politics: This module explores the complex ethical, policy, and political challenges of addressing the needs and rights of future generations in public decision-making. Climate action, sustainability, social equity, and fiscal planning all raise critical questions about how to balance the interests of current populations with those yet to be born.
Structured around three interconnected parts—Priorities, Policies, and Politics—this module engages students in theoretical debates, practical case studies, and institutional design strategies aimed at ensuring intergenerational justice is a foundational principle in policymaking.
-
Career Transitions & Success: This careers-focused module is designed to support students in bridging the gap between academic learning and professional practice. It enables students to identify and articulate their skills, experiences, and career goals, and to develop tailored strategies for entering or advancing within the evolving labour market—particularly in sectors responding to climate action, sustainability, and public policy challenges.
Students will build a compelling professional profile, engage with current industry trends, and learn how to communicate their value to employers across the public, private, and civil society sectors. The module will also help students navigate emerging employment landscapes shaped by the green transition, digital transformation, and shifting policy priorities.
Career Prospects: Shape the Future. Lead the Transition.
Graduates of this programme will be at the forefront of one of the most urgent and exciting transformations of our time: the shift to a climate-resilient, low-carbon society. With governments, businesses, and communities under pressure to meet climate targets, there is a growing demand for professionals who understand the policy, innovation, and sustainability landscape—and know how to navigate it.
This programme is designed to equip you with the skills, networks and experience to stand out in a fast-changing job market. Whether you want to work in public policy, industry, civil society, or international development, you’ll be ready to drive change with purpose and impact.
Where Could This Programme Take You?
Government & Public Sector
- Climate Policy Officer or Analyst
- Sustainability Coordinator in local or national government
- Environmental and Energy Policy Advisor
- Regional development or planning roles
Business & Industry
- ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) Specialist
- Corporate Sustainability Manager
- Innovation or Strategy Consultant focused on green growth
- Green finance and risk roles in major companies and startups
Non-Profit & Civil Society
- Policy and Advocacy Lead in environmental or climate justice NGOs
- Project Manager in sustainability or community-led transition initiatives
- Roles in development agencies, philanthropic foundations or social enterprises
International Organisations & Research
- Roles with the UN, EU institutions, World Bank, OECD, or global think tanks
- Researcher or analyst in climate action, public policy, or sustainable innovation
- Opportunities in policy labs, innovation hubs, or academia
Fees
The Government of Ireland through Springboard+ will fund places on this programme subject to meeting their eligibility criteria .
Participants who are employed will need to contribute 10% of the programme fee, i.e. €351 is the total cost for a Graduate Certificate, NFQ level 9 award.
See Springboard+ Participant Eligibility FAQs for more details: https://springboardcourses.ie/eligibility
Delivery
- Fully Online - Evening - 4 hours per week
- Start Date: 8th September 2025
- Duration: 1 year part-time
For admission to the Graduate Certificate in Climate Action, Energy and Public Policy programme, successful applicants will have:
- A degree at the level of an Irish or UK Honours undergraduate degree (H2.2 or above) or equivalent.
- If the applicant has not yet completed their degree than a conditional offer may be made on the basis of most recent grades and pending the achievement of a H2.2 degree.
- Applicants with appropriate combinations of professional qualifications and experience may also be considered. This includes discipline-specific knowledge and know-how; transferable skills; basic research competency; personal effectiveness.
- Applicants who do not have the appropriate level of academic attainment for direct entry may apply for access via the Recognition of Prior Learning process (RPL). For more information on RPL see here.
- International candidates who are non-native speakers of English must satisfy the University of their competency in the English language. Further information is available here.
See Springboard+ Participant Eligibility FAQs for more details: https://springboardcourses.ie/eligibility
Springboard+ is co-funded by the Government of Ireland and the European Union.
Applications are submitted through the Springboard Application Website: https://springboardcourses.ie/details/15057/graduate-certificate-in-climate-action,-energy-and-public-policy
Deadline for Applications:
13th July 2025
All applications should include:
- A scanned copy of all relevant academic transcripts (Translate to English if necessary)
- A CV with telephone contact details for two referees
- A Personal Statement (~400/500 words) detailing your reasons why you think this programme is a good fit for you.
- For non-native speakers of English, Certification of English competency in accordance with DCU requirements see https://www.dcu.ie/registry/english.shtml
Springboard funding eligibility
To find out more about your eligibility for Springboard funding please see Springboard+ Participant Eligibility FAQs for more details: https://springboardcourses.ie/eligibility
Springboard+ is co-funded by the Government of Ireland and the European Union.
Applicants who are in receipt of social welfare and seeking zero fees should provide documentary evidence that they are in receipt of payment
Residents in Ireland holding Non- EU passports should include documentary evidence of VISA/Permission to stay.