Climate change is the defining story of our time, and journalists everywhere need the tools to cover with depth, accuracy, and impact. That’s why Covering Climate Now offers journalists worldwide a free, live, online training program designed to help them tell stronger climate stories across beats and borders. Welcome to the CCNow Academy!
What’s Included
The program runs from September 2 to December 16, 2026, and consists of 12 weekly training sessions. Sessions are 60 minutes long, with an extra optional 30 minutes for practical exercises and networking. They take place on Wednesdays at 14:00 UTC and are delivered via Zoom.
The course is designed to cater to journalists at the low to mid levels of climate expertise. Topics range from foundational sessions on science, diplomacy, and climate justice to more specific tools to cover beats such as migration or health. We also offer a workshop on social media strategies for journalists. See the full schedule here.
Each session is live and interactive, with practical tools, exercises, examples, and time for discussion. This is not a webinar series, but a space to build skills, confidence, and community with peers from around the world.
How It Works
We’re selecting 40 participants for this cohort. To complete the program, participants must:
- Attend the 3 core mandatory sessions
- Attend at least 3 of the 9 optional sessions
- Participate actively in group discussions and community activities
- Commit to showing up, engaging with peers, and sharing feedback
This structure gives you flexibility, while still fostering a shared learning experience.
What You’ll Get
By the end of the program, you’ll have:
- A sharper understanding of how climate change intersects with your beat
- Tools to identify disinformation and surface real solutions
- Access to a global peer network of like-minded journalists
- Access to session recordings and curated resources
- A certificate of completion and a LinkedIn badge
- Ongoing access to all alumni and community groups and activities set up by Covering Climate Now
How to Apply
Fill out the application form by August 11, 2026. We’ll notify selected participants shortly after that date. Priority will be given to journalists who show strong interest, availability, and diversity of regions and beats.
Schedule
- September 2: Opening Session + Climate Reporting 101: The Three Pillars (Mandatory)
- September 9: Climate Science 101
- September 16: Fossil Fuels
- September 30: Dealing with Obstruction, Disinformation, and Greenwashing
- October 7: Covering Climate Solutions (Mandatory)
- October 21: Climate Diplomacy & COP
- October 28: Climate Science 102
- November 4: Covering Climate Through a Justice Lens (Mandatory)
- November 18: Covering Displacement and Migration From a Climate Angle
- November 25: Climate & Health
- December 9: Climate Impacts & Water: From Drought to Floods
- December 16: Covering Food & Agriculture + Closing Session
Why Apply?
This is what our alumni said about the CCNow Academy program:
“The CCNow Academy came at a defining moment in my journalism journey. Through the training, I gained a clearer understanding of climate science and learned how to translate complex issues into stories that resonate with real people. The practical guidance, mentorship, and peer exchanges pushed me to be more intentional and confident in my reporting. As a direct result of what I learned, I produced a climate finance story on carbon contracts that went on to win an award at the African Media Awards 2025. CCNow didn’t just build my skills; it affirmed my purpose as a climate journalist.”
– Margaret Kimathi, News Reporter, Nation Media Group (Kenya), Cohort 1
“This training’s greatest strength is its long-term approach. With more than ten sessions spread over three months, covering a wide range of topics, participants gain valuable knowledge, fresh perspectives, and renewed motivation from experts in the field of environmental journalism. It is especially beneficial for journalists who are planning to specialize in the environment. The training is also highly interactive. Group discussions and collaborative activities with journalists from different countries make the learning experience engaging and practical. Exchanging ideas and experiences with peers adds another layer of value. Overall, it is a timely, relevant, and enriching training program.
– Anita Bhetwal, Correspondent at Nepal Investigative Multimedia Journalism Network (Nepal), Cohort 2
“Climate change, despite being ubiquitous, can be extremely tricky to report on. I have often felt it an uphill task to relate the magnitude of the issue while trying to combat misinformation and disinformation. The sessions curated by the team were an enriching experience in learning to report accurately on the science of climate change without letting go of the human core of stories. I also appreciated being introduced to journalists from across the world and the wonderful work they are doing. It has been really inspiring!”
– Swadesha Sharma, Senior Assistant Editor, Public Archive of Rural India (India), Cohort 1
“Coming together with journalists from different countries at the Covering Climate Now (CCNow) Academy to produce higher-quality climate journalism was a valuable experience. Although I have participated in many journalism training programs in Turkiye, I have never seen another journalism collaboration network that organizes training as meticulously and rigorously as CCNow, or that encourages cooperation and solidarity among journalists to such an extent. I am now confident that I will be able to produce higher-quality news coverage in the fields of climate and ecology. I would like to thank CCNow for this high-quality and insightful training.”
– Ebru Apalak, Journalist at Muzir.org (Turkiye), Cohort 2
Apply Now
Questions?
Contact us at training@coveringclimatenow.org
Contact
To learn more about CCNow’s training programs, please contact our training department at training@coveringclimatenow.org.