Our Work
The Coalition for Climate Careers (C3) is committed to equitable investment in a local green economy that includes all residents, drawing public and private sector support. We are committed to building a workforce that reflects the makeup and interests of our local community while making a meaningful impact on combatting climate change. Our initiatives include sponsoring and organizing large-scale community events showcasing the green economy and funding and scaling high-quality workforce development projects and programs throughout King County and the Puget Sound region.
Who We Collaborate With
Local Government
Labor Partners
Businesses
Educational Institutions
Frontline Communities
Community-Based Organizations
Events
2025 PNW Climate Week Reception
On July 17, 2025, as part of PNW ClimateWeek, C3 convened change-makers, job seekers, students, and community members from across industries to explore opportunities and challenges in the growing climate workforce.The evening featured open networking, a call-to-action panelwith leaders from the nonprofit, private, education, and workforce development sectors, and interactive discussions among Coalition members and climate career training providers. Takeaways from the evening’s conversations will be used to guide C3’s next steps and strategic engagement.
The evening featured open networking, a call-to-action panel with leaders from the nonprofit, private, education, and workforce development sectors, and interactive discussions among Coalition members and climate career training providers. Takeaways from the evening’s conversations will be used to guide C3’s next steps and strategic engagement.
A mix of public sector and education, nonprofit and social impact, private sector, and students and job seekers.
During the event and in the days that followed, C3 received 45 new applications to join the Coalition. This included individuals and representatives from 14 community organizations, local businesses, and climate-forward training and educational organizations.
"As people are moving through pathways, accessing a better job, there are a lot of barriers and often people’s persistence is not tied to motivation, it’s tied to their experience in poverty."
– Marisol Tapia Hopper, Director of Strategic Partnerships & Funding at Workforce Development Council
"Strong belief in clean energy is not just in the classroom; it’s more of a mission rooted in equity and sustainability."
– Dr. Dalia Sharif, Senior Executive Director of Workforce Development at Seattle Colleges
Training providers shared the need to focus on priority areas such as strengthening employer pipelines, bridging the “training-to-job” gap, supporting underserved participants, accessing long-term funding, and improving storytelling.
Discussion among General Coalition members and C3 supporters produced impactful takeaways and recommendations:
Inclusion and equity in training access
Clear and accessible career pathways
Mentorship and career navigation
Training and job transitions
Community-driven and collaborative program design
K-12 engagement
Support for small businesses
"There’s a lack of long-term sustainable funding to attract and hire people who want to do the work. "
"Partnering with people who care about the work and want to expand it is very valuable… Industry partners help us do the work that we do."
"Most [training program] participants are going to be negatively impacted by climate change, so the want to get in front of it and be a part of the solutions."
Green Jobs, Green Futures Summit
The Green Jobs, Green Futures Summit is a one-day event highlighting local businesses across key green industry sectors, including construction, manufacturing, transportation, and professional services/technology, through interactive, hands-on demo stations. Since its inaugural event in 2023, the Summit has garnered over 400 attendees a year, sparking meaningful community connections and employment opportunities.
News
Your go-to source for the latest updates on current events, recent developments in grants, and other noteworthy news related to the Coalition for Climate Careers.
