The Seal was signed into law in Colorado in 2024, following advocacy by students, educators, district leaders, and community partners. It provides a framework for recognizing student achievement in climate literacy.

Not necessarily. States could also establish it through a Department of Education or State Board of Education.

Key elements include:

• Local Control: Voluntary adoption by Local Education Providers (LEPs).
• Hands-On Learning: Students complete projects in their own communities.
• Equity & Accessibility: The Seal minimizes barriers so all students can participate.
• LEP Flexibility: Local standards and project requirements ensure relevance to each community.

Nationally, diploma endorsements and Seals are enacted through state-level policy, sometimes through legislation, and other times through regulation enacted by the state department of education or state board of education. State level policy ensures access across contexts, creating consistency and recognizability. Get in touch to learn how educators or district leaders can spark state-level policy.

No. The Seal fits into your existing courses – science, CTE, social studies, and more – without creating new graduation requirements or adoption of new curriculum.

Schools map existing courses to climate literacy principles, guide students through hands-on projects, and award the Seal at graduation. Support is available for every step, making implementation low-lift and achievable.

Superintendents, principals, teachers, district leaders, and students all contribute. Many districts report that the Seal formalizes work already happening in classrooms and communities.

No. Students must complete multiple components: courses covering climate literacy, a hands-on project in their community, and share their results with an authentic audience.

No. Local Education Agencies decide specific requirements for students’ experiential learning projects, and many are finding ways for students to access these opportunities within the school day in addition to beyond the school day.

The Seal is a diploma or transcript recognition showing that a student has mastered climate science and solutions-based thinking. It signals readiness to engage in a resilient economy and lead in their communities.

Students must:

1. Meet high school graduation requirements.
2. Complete at least two courses aligned with climate literacy standards, including one science course.
3. Complete a hands-on project in their community and share their learning.

Students earn a recognized credential, gain confidence applying learning to real-world challenges, build leadership experience, and strengthen postsecondary readiness.

No. In its first year, the Seal was conferred in both urban and rural districts, across diverse communities. Strong implementation support ensures access for students historically left out of climate education.

By minimizing barriers, using existing courses and local partnerships, and offering flexible implementation, the Seal prioritizes students from all backgrounds.

The model is designed to be low-cost or budget-neutral, using existing structures to confer the Seal.

Funding helps ensure equitable implementation, including staff support for data tracking and reporting. A no-cost version is possible but may limit reach or speed of adoption.

No. The Seal is voluntary and complements existing initiatives. It brings recognition and support to teachers while empowering students to lead.

The Seal signals interdisciplinary climate competency. Colleges and employers in Colorado are increasingly recognizing it for admissions and career readiness, similar to the Seal of Biliteracy.

Recognition is part of its value, but the Seal also drives systemic change—encouraging cross-disciplinary programs, career pathways, and community partnerships.

No. The Seal has bipartisan potential. States with diverse political leanings see the need to prepare students for climate challenges and workforce opportunities.

Seals are proven tools to signal statewide priorities without overhauling graduation requirements. Climate change deserves recognition and systemic support in education.