Learning to Adapt is EIANZ's climate change adaptation professional development program. In response to climate change risks it is building adaptive capacity amongst environmental professionals.

The development of Learning to Adapt has been led by the New South Wales Division of the EIANZ which has run conference style events in 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013 addressing over 400 participants. Since 2014, Learning to Adapt has evolved into an action-learning program being delivered through a collaborative partnership.

Learning to Adapt is designed by experienced sustainability educators to engage participants through case studies and exercises presented by recognised expert guest speakers in climate change adaptation. It is run over three full days of intensive collaborative learning with opportunities to apply learning with peers and supported by an online learning platform. The course outcomes are recognised by academic institutions and through a range of industry schemes.

The model was piloted in partnership with NSW Office of Environment and Heritage and with the support of the Green Building Council of Australia, the Infrastructure Sustainability Council of Australia and the Institute of Environmental Studies at the UNSW.

Since an evaluation established the success of the pilot, the program has been scaled up, first with an additional delivery in NSW targeting regional local government, followed by deliveries in Victoria and Queensland.

Keep an eye on the EIANZ website for upcoming Learning to Adapt training. For more information, contact Fabian Sack, Program Manager, Learning to Adapt.