Columbia Launches First US Master’s In Climate Finance

In a first, Columbia Climate School and Columbia Business School are launching the first Master of Science in Climate Finance in the United States. This trailblazing one-year program will start in Fall 2025 and will prepare professionals with the financial acumen to handle the changing environment of climate risk, investment, and sustainability.

While the world is trying to address the mounting climate crisis, financial decision-making has emerged as an important instrument for both mitigating and adapting to climate change. Aware of this, Columbia's new program closes the gap between finance and climate science, equipping students with the skills they need to solve these global issues.

The world needs problem-solvers to help solve the global climate crisis," said Alexis Abramson, dean of the Columbia Climate School. "Combining climate and finance is a critical step to solving the problem.

The interdisciplinary curriculum is intended to equip students with a profound understanding of climate science, risk assessment, mitigation, and adaptation measures. Students will also learn about capital markets, energy and infrastructure financing, and international climate finance, making them adequately equipped to create innovative investment strategies that are aligned with sustainability objectives.

Demand for professionals who possess expertise in climate science as well as finance has been incrementally growing in the public and private sectors. Governments, financial institutions, development agencies, and companies are eagerly looking for specialists who can evaluate climate-related risks and opportunities and incorporate them into financial models and investment plans.

"Climate change will affect every industry," said Costis Maglaras, dean of Columbia Business School. "Only by integrating climate science and finance are we going to be able to solve these issues."

This is echoed by Lisa Sachs, director of the Columbia Center on Sustainable Investment, who underscored the actual demand for professionals who can grasp climate variability, financial risk, and sustainable investment opportunity. The program aims to equip graduates for positions in financial institutions, government agencies, development banks, and global finance initiatives, as well as private sector sustainability teams.

One of the major strengths of the program is its emphasis on accessibility and global accessibility. Columbia will provide the Stanley Park Climate Finance scholarships to enable students, especially those from emerging and developing economies, to pursue work in the public and nonprofit sectors. The scholarships are an expression of the university's commitment to building a diverse and inclusive pool of talent that can influence positive climate action globally.

This degree leverages world-class teaching and leading scholarship from two standout schools," explained Sachs. "Comprehension of the financial role in acting on climate change is essential for making real changes happen.

New York City, the United Nations' headquarters and a prominent international financial center, is a perfect location for the program. Students will get to interact closely with leading finance, industry, and policymaking practitioners, who will share first-hand experience and practical knowledge to make their future careers more useful.

As climate-related financial risks and opportunities become more integral to business and policy-making decisions, Columbia's initiative represents an important milestone toward equipping the next generation of professionals to excel in this developing space. The Master of Science in Climate Finance is anticipated to attract students with a passion for sustainability, finance, and creative climate solutions, reaffirming Columbia's leadership role in climate education and leadership.