Climate journalism: Free online course on investigative reporting for every beat

Climate change now runs through every reporting beat, from energy and politics to food systems, health and local news, making it one of the most complex stories journalists can investigate today.

Yet, despite its reach, it remains one of the most challenging topics to cover, especially when it comes to following power, money and accountability across systems and borders.

To tackle this growing issue,  the Knight Center for Journalism in the Americas and the Global Investigative Journalism Network (GIJN) have joined forces to offer a new free online course: “Climate journalism: investigative reporting for every beat.” The course will run from June 1 to June 28, 2026, and is offered in English and Spanish.

Over four weeks, participants will learn to uncover the climate story through an investigative lens, connecting it to fossil fuels and clean energy, nature and food systems, heat and health, and the promises made by companies and governments. Instead of viewing climate with a niche focus, the course demonstrates its relevance and impact across all reporting sectors and explains how to recognize the underlying structural forces shaping it.

Each of these topics will be explored using investigative frameworks, reporting techniques and real-world case studies. Participants will also hear directly from leading journalists and editors who have broken major climate stories; they’ll share how they approached sources, data and accountability reporting in practice.

The course is led by Diego Arguedas Ortiz, a climate journalist and media trainer, and Toby McIntosh, a senior advisor for the Resource Center at GIJN and the author of all GIJN climate reporting guides. Together, they bring extensive experience in climate reporting, investigative methods and global transparency work.

“Climate journalism: investigative reporting for every beat” is designed for journalists and editors who want to deepen their understanding of climate issues, whether or not they have covered the topic before. The course provides foundational knowledge for those new to climate reporting and offers advanced tools and approaches for more experienced journalists.

By the end of the course, participants will be able to understand how climate change intersects with energy systems, food production, ecosystems and human health; identify key sources of information; and apply investigative methods to uncover stories of power, responsibility and impact.

The course is structured in five modules:

Introduction Module | Why climate change is an investigative story: Climate change is a story about power—from fossil fuel companies and governments to the communities most affected. This module introduces how climate connects to everyday reporting, the basics of investigative climate journalism and extreme weather attribution.

Module 1 | Fossil fuels and clean energy: Energy production drives most global emissions and shapes the climate crisis and energy transition. This module covers how to investigate fossil fuel companies, financing, lobbying, subsidies and disinformation. Guest speaker: Damian Carrington, environment editor at The Guardian.

Module 2 | Nature and food: Food systems and nature loss are central drivers of climate change, from deforestation to global supply chains. This module explores reporting using satellite data, investigating subsidies and monitoring corporate accountability. Guest speaker: Thin Lei Win, investigative food journalist at Lighthouse Reports.

Module 3 | Heat and health: Rising heat and extreme weather are affecting health, livelihoods and infrastructure worldwide. This module focuses on reporting on heat impacts, worker safety, corporate responsibility and broader social and economic effects. Guest speaker: Maximiliano Manzoni, investigative climate journalist and editor at Consen.

Module 4 | Holding companies and governments accountable: Climate commitments are often ambitious but not always fulfilled. This module looks at investigating promises, and tracking accountability, carbon credits and climate solutions. Guest speaker: Sharon Chen, managing editor at Bloomberg Green.

The course is fully asynchronous, allowing participants to engage with materials at their own pace each week. While there are no fixed-time lectures, suggested deadlines help structure progress. Two live sessions with the instructors during weeks 2 and 4 will provide additional opportunities for discussion and deeper engagement. Recordings will be available afterward for those who can’t attend.

Each module includes video lectures, readings, discussions and a weekly quiz. Participation in discussions and completion of quizzes are required to earn a certificate of completion. The course is designed to be flexible, but participants are encouraged to follow the weekly structure to stay on track.

Participants will need access to basic digital tools – including Google Docs, Google Sheets and a web browser – in order to use free investigative resources introduced during the course.

By the end of the program, participants will have a stronger understanding of how to investigate climate stories across beats, identify key sources and data and hold powerful actors accountable for their role in the climate crisis.

Register now at journalismcourses.org and take the next step in strengthening your investigative climate reporting.