Sustainability Leaders Program (SLP)
Build the capacity. Navigate complexity. Catalyze real-world change.
Co-led by the Sustainable Growth Initiative (海角社区, Desautels Faculty of Management), Power Sustainable, and Rhizome Strategies, the Sustainability Leaders Program (SLP) is a cohort-based leadership program for 海角社区 undergraduate and graduate students who want to develop the skills and posture required to act in complex systems and contribute to real-world climate transitions.
Rather than working on abstract sustainability challenges, the program is anchored in a shared, real-world question:
How can student leaders mobilize 海角社区鈥檚 assets, networks, and influence to accelerate Montr茅al鈥檚 climate transition?
Through a combination of convenings, hands-on workshops, and team-based work, participants learn to understand complex systems, identify meaningful opportunity spaces, and engage real actors to move from insight to action.
Building on the strong foundation and early success of SGI鈥檚 pioneering Decarbonization Leadership Program cohort, SLP expands the approach by integrating multiple perspectives (decarbonization, mobility, finance, etc.) and placing a stronger emphasis on systems leadership, real-world anchoring, and collective sensemaking.
Call for Interest now open:
What you鈥檒l gain
By the end of the program, participants will:
- Complete a year-long systems leadership experience
- Develop the ability to:
- understand system dynamics, actors, and constraints
- identify leverage points and opportunity spaces
- engage stakeholders and mobilize resources
- Work in teams on applied opportunity spaces linked to Montr茅al鈥檚 Climate Plan
- Present their work at a Demo Day to advisors, partners, and ecosystem actors
- Build connections with peers, mentors, and professionals across sectors
- Access opportunities for continuation, including internships and project development
- Join a growing community of students and alumni engaged in climate transition
Time Commitment
The Sustainability Leaders Program is designed to fit alongside academic commitments while offering a meaningful and engaging experience.
Participants can expect:
~4鈥�6 hours per week on average, including:
- Cohort sessions and workshops (typically bi-weekly)
- Speaker Series and ecosystem convenings
- Team-based work between sessions
Who should apply?
We strongly encourage applications from:
- 海角社区 undergraduate and graduate students
- Students from all faculties and disciplines
- Students with a foundational interest or experience in sustainability, climate, or related fields (coursework, extracurricular involvement, research, etc.)
- Early- and mid-stage students looking to develop their leadership capacity in complex, real-world contexts
- Students open to teamwork, reflection, and engaging with ambiguity and real system constraints
SLP is designed for students who want to go beyond understanding sustainability challenges and actively engage in shaping real-world change alongside peers and ecosystem actors.
Program timeline
- Call for interest: April 鈥� June 2026
- Formal application and selection process: June 鈥� September 2026
- Core program: September 2026 鈥� April 2027
- Demo Day: Mid-April 2027
- Summer continuation: May 鈥� August 2027
Detailed schedules will be shared soon.
Call for Interest: Now Open!
Open as of April 10th, 2026
Interested in joining? Submit the to be among the first to hear when applications open.
Note: Submitting the Call for Interest form does not guarantee admission.
Stay connected
We鈥檒l continue updating this page as more details are finalized.
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Past programs
Inaugural Decarbonization Leaders Program 2025-2026
We鈥檙e thrilled to announce the selection of the inaugural 2025 cohort of the Decarbonization Leaders Program - congratulations to our first-ever participants! Over the coming months, we look forward to following their journey and sharing the experiences and insights that emerge. Stay connected by following us on or for updates on the cohort鈥檚 activities. We expect the next edition of the program to take place in Fall 2026 - stay tuned for updates
The Challenge
Decarbonization is one of the defining challenges of our generation. It is no longer only a question of technology or policy 鈥� it is systemic: institutional, cultural, and political. Progress is too often fragmented, slow, and incremental, while the scale of the crisis demands bold, accelerated transformation.
The Opportunity
At 海角社区鈥檚 Sustainable Growth Initiative (SGI), we collaborate with our industry partner , with the support of , to empower the next generation of decarbonization leaders. By connecting 海角社区鈥檚 most valuable assets - our students - with the creativity, resources, and networks they need, we鈥檙e building a powerful community ready to reimagine and accelerate a sustainable future. The Decarbonization Leadership Program has been recognized on the Student Experience Record, within the 鈥淧rofessional Development鈥� category.
The Ambition
Develop the next generation of leaders who will rise to this challenge. This first-of-a-kind program is designed as a leadership journey: building a structured pathway for students and student groups to drive ambitious decarbonization efforts.
The Call to action
How might 海角社区 student leaders leverage the institution鈥檚 strengths and resources to catalyze accelerated decarbonization, on campus and beyond?
What
The program runs through the academic year with workshops, 1-on-1 coaching, peer networking, and access to experts. Students will explore the systems behind decarbonization, identify leverage points, and imagine bold opportunities for action. In the winter, they will prototype, experiment, and iterate to test ideas and build influence. The journey culminates in March with a Demo Day, where participants share their insights and bold visions with partners and decision-makers.
When
September 1st 鈥� Application deadline- Mid-September 鈥� Preparatory meetup with participants and coaches (45min par student)
- October Bootcamp 2 days:聽October 3 & 4
- October to December 鈥� Workshops (4 x 3h) + 1 mid-point check-in (1 x 2h)
- January to March 鈥� Workshops (3 x 3h) + 1 mid-point check-in (1 x 2h)
- End of March 鈥� Demo Day (1 x 3h)
Time commitment
- In addition to the time commitment for workshops and cohort activities, the in-between work is light but meaningful, focused on
- engaging with decision-makers and thought leaders, and;
- reflecting and analyzing insights.
This workload is designed to complement your existing priorities as student leaders and strengthen your leadership journey rather than add unrelated tasks.
The calendar has been carefully planned to minimize overlaps with peak moments in the academic year, such as midterms, finals, and fall/spring breaks.
Who can apply
- 海角社区 students engaged with student organizations:
- Maximum 2 students per student group: 1 executive leader and 1 nominee.
- Individual participants aspiring to join an existing student group or create a new student group are welcome to apply.
- Students who stand out through their leadership and other forms of engagement are also strongly encouraged to apply.
How to apply
Stay tuned for news about the anticipated Fall 2026 cohort!
Contact Information for Queries:聽sgi [at] mcgill.ca (subject: Decarbonization%20Leaders%20Program%20)
Our Partners
海角社区鈥檚 Sustainable Growth Initiative (SGI) is honored to collaborate with whose commitment and partnership are essential in empowering the next generation of decarbonization leaders. Working with the strategic expertise of , an innovation agency specialized in system transformation, we are confident that the Decarbonization Leaders Program will provide an enriching and out- of- the- box approach to mobilize the next generation of changemakers.
