Education in Action: Advancing Climate Justice in 2025

Read IGC's 2025 Annual Report

In 2025, we deepened our commitment to climate justice through accessible, community-centered education, and doing so helped us reach new milestones in impact, equity, and national leadership.

A Force for Climate Justice Through Education

IGC’s mission is to transform climate curiosity into a catalyst for environmental justice through education and engagement. In a year marked by growth and transition, we sharpened our focus on delivering high-quality climate education designed not only to inform but to inspire action. The result was measurable impact at the individual, community, and organizational levels.

Carbon Literacy Leadership

In February 2025, IGC became a certified Carbon Literate Organization (CLO), joining more than 340 organizations across 47 countries. By year’s end, every board and staff member had earned Carbon Literacy certification embedding a shared language and actionable framework for climate justice across the organization.

In 2025 we delivered 5 Carbon Literacy trainings, bringing the total to 9 trainings which certified 82 individuals with a 94.2% pass rate. IGC Carbon Literacy participants pledged 164 climate actions, collectively projected to reduce 65.81 tons of CO₂e. Each learner committed to at least one personal and one group-based emissions reduction strategy ensuring climate knowledge translates into tangible, community-led change.

Importantly, IGC’s Carbon Literacy program reflects the diversity of San Diego, with strong representation across race, age, and community roles, and participation spanning local, regional, and national geographies.

Scaling Systems Thinking and Community Action

Beyond Carbon Literacy, we expanded our suite of climate education programs:

• Climate Fresk: A total of 41 workshops, 526 participants, and 19 trained facilitators. This interactive, IPCC-based workshop inspires bottom-up climate action through collaborative systems mapping.

• Planetary Boundaries Fresco: 3 workshops and 28 participants exploring Earth system limits and sustainability through systems thinking.

• Energy Equity 101: A free, on-demand course launched with support from regional partners. The program garnered 486 views and awarded 9 certificates of completion in its first year. The curriculum centers environmental justice, energy systems literacy, and equitable policy solutions.

In late 2025, we introduced the Community Clean Energy Microcredential, a collaborative qualification combining Carbon Literacy, San Diego Urban Sustainability Coalition’s Climate Ambassador training, and Energy Equity 101. Four microcredentials were awarded in its inaugural year, signaling a new model for integrated, justice-focused workforce and community development.

Community, Celebration, and Coalition

IGC’s impact extended beyond classrooms. Highlights included:

• A Summer Celebration honoring community learners in a graduation-style ceremony.

• Participation in San Diego’s inaugural Climate Week, hosting two featured events.

• A Skate Night fundraiser that raised scholarship funds to keep programs accessible.

• The Carbon Literacy Co-lab, fostering global, cross-sector climate dialogue in an informal learning space.

Together, these efforts reflect our belief that climate education is relational, joyful, and community powered.

Financial Strength and Strategic Focus

We closed 2025 with $75,638.73 in total income, driven primarily by $70,000 in grants, and recorded $54,804.86 in expenses, resulting in a net operating income of $20,833.87. We maintained strong governance and financial stewardship throughout the year.

Looking ahead, we remain intentionally focused. Rather than expanding broadly, we’re doubling down on excellence in climate education by setting ambitious 2026 goals to grow participation, expand accreditation (including programs for schools and churches), scale online offerings, and strengthen direct-action coalitions.

In 2025, we demonstrated that climate literacy is more than awareness. It can be a pathway to justice-centered action. By equipping individuals with knowledge, measurable commitments, and community support, we’re building a resilient ecosystem of climate leaders in San Diego and beyond.