2025 Environmental Leadership Accelerator

Accelerator Overview

The NCEL Environmental Leadership Accelerator is an invite-only opportunity for state legislators to learn from experts in the field and to collaborate with their peers. NCEL is a pre-eminent educator and convener of state legislators, engaging over 1,300 state legislators a year in all 50 states through in-person and virtual in-state, regional, and national events.

Each course will run for six weekly, hour-long sessions, enmeshing state legislators in a distinct policy area. Sessions will be a mix of presentations, legislator engagement, and brainstorming with a maximum of 20 legislators from a variety of states, ensuring a personalized experience. Participants will leave the course prepared to enter the legislative session armed with a robust understanding of their policy options and the support from the accelerator community. 

The Accelerator will run from the week of October 6 through the week of November 10. Each session will be an hour long, with an additional 30 minutes of optional time to continue conversations with speakers, hosts, and peer legislators. See the below course descriptions and syllabi. 

What to Expect During the Accelerator

• Hour-long sessions with presentations from experts on cutting-edge topics in the field.
• Opportunities for peer coaching and relationship-building with like-minded legislators in other states.
• Extra 30 minutes per week for office hours with presenters.

What to Expect After the Accelerator

• LinkedIn Accreditation and Certification.
• Cohort of legislators to support policy work on your topic through the legislative session.
• Access to a community of experts to answer questions and provide feedback on policy ideas.
• Connection to in-state partners on the topic.

How are participants selected?

Participants of the NCEL Environmental Leadership Accelerator have been chosen for their experience on the given topic. The aim of the Accelerator is to connect policy leaders from a variety of political contexts to create a well-balanced and high-achieving cohort.

Decarbonizing the Transportation Sector in an Uncertain Federal Landscape (Thursdays 3:00 – 4:30 PM ET)

In the wake of seismic changes to transportation funding as well as climate-aligned opportunities and authorities, state legislators need to rescope and shift climate action initiatives, project prioritization, and financial planning. This course will examine the transportation sector from a holistic perspective, identifying where states have unique opportunities to act and create positive economic, public health, and safety cobenefits in addition to climate mitigation.

Partners: Evergreen Collaborative, RMI, Better World Group

Maximizing State Economic Power: From Insurance to Investment (Wednesdays 3:00 – 4:30 PM ET)

It is becoming increasingly salient to view the climate crisis through an economic lens. State policymakers have a range of financial tools and policies available that can shield constituents from the economic threats of climate change while shaping financial market outcomes. This course will focus on climate risk management strategies in the policy areas of insurance, disaster recovery, pension funds, and more. 

Partners: Climate Cabinet Education

To learn more about the Environmental Leadership Accelerator or inquire about registering for one of the courses listed above, please contact NCEL Climate & Energy Program Manager Ava Gallo.