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Preparing Climate-Ready Graduates for California’s Future
A voluntary statewide high school diploma distinction recognizing climate-ready graduates and strengthening California’s education and workforce pipelines.
What is the Seal of Climate Literacy?
The California State Seal of Climate Literacy is a voluntary high school diploma and transcript distinction recently established into law through Senate Bill 1048. It will recognize students who show strong climate knowledge, systems thinking, and applied problem-solving skills. Students will earn the Seal through interdisciplinary coursework and real-world, solutions-oriented projects connected to their local communities.
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A Recognized Credential
A formal distinction awarded on a student’s diploma and transcript.
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Climate Knowledge
Students demonstrate understanding of climate science, impacts, and solutions.
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Future-Ready Skills
Prepares students for college, careers, and civic leadership in a changing world.
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Leadership & Action
Students apply their learning through projects and community engagement.
Senate Bill 1048 was signed into law on September 29, 2026. The state will now set the criteria students must meet to earn the Seal. Once the criteria are adopted, school districts and LEAs can start awarding it.
Why the Seal Matters in California
California students are growing up amid intensifying climate impacts—from wildfires, extreme heat, and drought, to flooding, air quality challenges, and coastal change. At the same time, California continues to lead the nation in climate policy, clean energy, sustainable infrastructure, and environmental innovation.
As the state invests billions in climate mitigation, adaptation, and workforce development, climate literacy is paramount to our State’s future. The Seal of Climate Literacy will help align California’s education system with these investments, supporting students to graduate prepared to participate in, and lead, the state’s climate-resilient future.
How You Can Help
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Educators & Schools
Share the climate learning already happening in your classrooms. Help shape Seal criteria that support local innovation.
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Policy Leaders
Support strong, equity-centered criteria and a smooth rollout that strengthens education outcomes, workforce readiness, and California’s climate leadership.
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Students & Families
Ask your school district about plans to offer the Seal once the State establishes its criteria. Share how it can recognize your learning, leadership, and climate action.
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Industry & Employers
Help define the climate skills California’s clean economy needs. Recognize Seal earners as a climate-literate talent pipeline.
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California’s students and families are living through the impacts of climate change — from wildfires to flooding to extreme heat — and they deserve an education that equips them to respond. The California State PTA supports climate and energy literacy that connects classroom learning to real-life situations and empowers students to be part of the solution in their own communities. This legislation does exactly that, and we encourage schools, families, and communities to embrace it.
Heather IppolitoPresident of the California State PTA -
Through our work with young people across California, we see students eager to be leaders in finding solutions to the climate crisis. A Seal of Climate Literacy serves as a meaningful capstone, recognizing and expanding access to high-quality climate learning already underway. The Seal affirms that work and gives students the opportunity to apply their learning across college, careers, and community leadership.
Andra YeghoianChief Innovation Officer at Ten Strands -
By investing in climate education now, we’re building a workforce ready to lead California toward a sustainable future while creating economic opportunity for our young people. Graduates who attain the Seal of Climate Literacy will gain the knowledge, technical skills, and hands-on experience needed to continue California’s legacy of climate leadership.
Josh BeckerSenator (SD-13) -
I want California students to be recognized for the climate work we’re already doing. That’s why I’m asking my district to support the Seal.
AnnaStudent Advocate
Resources
Assets and templates to help you advocate for the Seal.
Help Bring the Seal to California
The Seal of Climate Literacy is now law in California. Next, the state will set the criteria students must meet to earn it. Once those criteria are adopted, school districts can start awarding the Seal. Connect with our California partners to stay up to date and help shape how the Seal comes to life in schools.
