Reimagining Public Service for a Regenerative and Just Future

Public Administrators for One Planet (PAOP) is a leadership and learning framework that equips public servants with the mindsets, skills, and knowledge to govern in an era of climate disruption, systemic inequality, and exceeding ecological limits.

Inspired by the Engineers for One Planet (EOP) framework, which reimagines sustainability education in engineering, we believe public administrators must rethink the role of governance in a warming planet. 

Why Public Service Must Evolve

Today’s public administrators face challenges that cross borders, sectors, and generations: from climate change and urban resilience to migration, inequality, and resource scarcity. Traditional training in public administration often fails to prepare leaders for the systems-level thinking, collaboration, and ethical clarity these challenges require.

Public Administrators for One Planet provides a new foundation for public sector leadership—one that is:

• Ecologically informed and climate-aware

• Justice-centered and inclusive

• Oriented toward systems change and resilience

• Committed to regeneration—not just risk reduction

The PAOP Framework: Nine Competency Areas

1. Futures Thinking, Complex Systems, and Transition Design: Understanding how public decisions interact with ecological and social systems.

2. Environmental Literacy for Public Leaders: Applying ecological principles to public policy, planning, and infrastructure.

3. Social Justice and Equity: Addressing structural and epistemic injustice, and promoting environmental and social justice.

4. Responsible Governance and Sustainable Economy: Integrating sustainability into budgeting, procurement, and economic planning.

5. Impact Assessment and Foresight: Using tools like Environmental and Social Impact Assessment and futures thinking in policymaking.

6. Sustainable Design of Public Services: Designing services and infrastructure that are adaptive, equitable, and regenerative.

7. Critical Thinking and Reflective Practice: Making ethical, evidence-based decisions in complex governance environments.

8. Collaborative Leadership and Teamwork: Leading across departments, sectors, and communities with humility and shared purpose.

9. Inclusive Communication and Engagement: Engaging the public with transparency, trust, and co-creation.

10. Multiple Knowledge Systems: Engaging and co-designing across multiple epistemologies, including non-Western approaches, to shape public policies. 

The framework includes core and advanced learning outcomes that can be integrated into public administration curricula, executive training programs, and professional development pathways.

Who Is This For?

• Schools of public administration and governance

• Civil service commissions and training academies

• Local and regional governments

• International development agencies

• Policy institutes and public sector innovators

What Makes It Different?

• Planet-first orientation: Sustainability is not a module—it’s the lens.

• Rooted in justice: Equity, inclusion, and historical accountability are central.

• Actionable and adaptable: Use as a foundation for curriculum, workshops, or institutional transformation.

Join Us

Whether you are an educator, policymaker, mayor, or public servant, you are invited to become part of this growing movement. Together, we can cultivate a new generation of public administrators—leaders who govern with care, courage, and a commitment to a thriving future for all.

Get Involved

For Students and Faculty:

• • Join a Project: Contribute your skills and knowledge to existing projects or start your own initiative.

  • Access Resources: Benefit from our extensive network of mentors, funding opportunities, and collaborative spaces.

For City Governments and Community Partners:

• • Collaborate with Us: Partner with Climate Action Labs to scale innovative solutions and achieve regional climate goals.

  • Support and Sponsorship: Provide financial and logistical support to help advance our mission and amplify our impact.

Reach out to us through this online form to express your interest in getting involved!
Be part of a global movement dedicated to creating a sustainable future through climate action. 🌏

For other inquiries, email us at ask@climateactionlabs.com.