Skip to main content

Designing a Climate-Neutral World: Taking Action

Explore the role of national governments, municipalities, companies and the international community in climate change mitigation. Learn to set reduction targets yourself and translate them into action plans.

...
Designing a Climate-Neutral World: Taking Action

There is one session available:

81 already enrolled!
After a course session ends, it will be archivedOpens in a new tab.
Starts Nov 7
Ends Dec 5
Enroll

Designing a Climate-Neutral World: Taking Action

Explore the role of national governments, municipalities, companies and the international community in climate change mitigation. Learn to set reduction targets yourself and translate them into action plans.

Designing a Climate-Neutral World: Taking Action
4 weeks
4–5 hours per week
Instructor-paced
Instructor-led on a course schedule
Free
Optional upgrade available

There is one session available:

After a course session ends, it will be archivedOpens in a new tab.
Starts Nov 7
Ends Dec 5
Enroll
Designing a Climate-Neutral World: Taking Action

About this course

Skip About this course

“Every action matters
Every bit of warming matters
Every year matters
Every choice matters.”

This was the brief summary of a 2018 report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the scientific advisory board of the United Nations.
But who should act?

In earlier courses, we already set out what is needed to limit the impact of climate change. In this course, we will explore the role of national governments, the international community, companies, and sub-national governments, like cities, municipalities, provinces, and regions.

We start from the idea that climate governance is polycentric. None of these parties can mitigate the dangers of climate change all by themselves. Each of these types of organization has its particular strength. If you work – or plan to work – in or with any such organization, then through this course you will learn how to be successful and effective in playing your part in mitigating climate change.

Important elements that will be discussed for the various players in the field are:

  • What roles can the different organizations play?
  • How can emission reduction targets be set so that they are both ambitious and feasible?
  • How can meaningful emission reduction plans be developed that actually result in emission reduction on the ground?

Examples will be presented by professionals who have been successful in their own organization. They are willing to share the failures and critical success factors in their strategies.

At a glance

  • Institution: DelftX
  • Subject: Engineering
  • Level: Intermediate
  • Prerequisites:
    • Have a basic understanding of energy systems and emission sources and calculations.
    • Have a basic understanding of what emission reductions, like renewable energy and energy efficiency, can contribute within various sectors.
    • Previous MOOCs of this program are recommended.

What you'll learn

Skip What you'll learn
  • Understand how international climate agreements work.
  • Assess the sphere of influence of your own organization.
  • Learn how national climate policies are designed and work, and be able to evaluate the relevance of existing policies for your organization.
  • Learn how ambitious and feasible GHG emission reduction targets for companies are set and discover how to translate these into a climate action plan.
  • Learn to apply approaches to tackle greenhouse gas emissions in supply chains.
  • Learn how ambitious and feasible GHG emission reduction targets for cities and municipalities are set and learn how to translate these into climate action plans.
  • Decide in which areas the greatest acceleration of climate action is needed.

Syllabus

Skip Syllabus

Week 1. National action and international agreements

  • Brief history of climate negotiations
  • The Paris Agreement
  • NDCs’ and national targets/laws
  • Cross-sectoral and sectoral policies
  • Climate policies in practice

Week 2. Climate action by cities and other sub-national governments

  • The role of non-state entities in climate action
  • Overview of sub-national government initiatives
  • Action perspectives for cities and municipalities
  • Example: a small town
  • Example: a big city

Week 3. Climate action by companies

  • Overview of private-sector climate action
  • Science-based targets
  • Why does it work?
  • Supply chain initiatives
  • Corporate climate action in practice

Week 4. Speeding up climate action

  • Every bit of warming matters
  • Climate action on energy efficiency
  • Climate action on renewable electricity
  • Climate action on renewable fuels
  • World in action

About the instructors

Ways to take this course

Choose your path when you enroll.
Verified Track
Audit Track

Price

$149 USD

Free

Access to course materials

Unlimited

Limited

Expires on Dec 5

World class institutions and universities

edX support

Shareable certificate upon completion

Graded assignments and exams

Read our FAQsin a new tab about frequently asked questions on these tracks.

Interested in this course for your business or team?

Train your employees in the most in-demand topics, with edX for Business.
Purchase nowRequest information