Length Length

10 modules, accessible at any time

Effort Effort

2-4 hours per module

Price Price

FREE

Languages Languages

English

Video Transcripts Video Transcripts

English

Prerequisites Prerequisites

None

Requirements Requirements

An internet connection to access course materials

THE SCIENCE
Reducing global

greenhouse gas emissions

THE SCIENCE
CASE STUDIES
Emissions reduction in

Russia and Australia

CASE STUDIES
THE ROLE OF BUSINESS & GOVERNMENT
Decarbonizing

the economy

THE ROLE OF BUSINESS & GOVERNMENT
WHAT YOU CAN DO
Actions for

communities and individuals

WHAT YOU CAN DO

Overview

This course is self-paced – you can enroll immediately and complete the course materials at any time before August 31, 2023.

Harmful emissions, the degradation of the earth’s resources, and global warming have loomed large for decades. With the negotiation and ongoing ratification of the sweeping Paris Agreement, commitments to reducing the effects of climate change abound.

But how do we turn those commitments into action?

Enroll now to learn from the academics and researchers leading the battle against climate change, hailing from world-renowned institutions including Columbia University’s Earth Institute, the Deep Decarbonization Pathways Project (DDPP), the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA), and the World Business Council on Sustainable Development (WBCSD).

structure

  • Pre-recorded lectures
  • Readings
  • Quizzes and final exam
  • Discussion forum

Lead Faculty

  • Faculty Image

    Jeffrey Sachs

    Columbia University

  • Faculty Image

    Jim Williams

    University of California - San Francisco

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    Peter Bakker

    World Business Council for Sustainable Development

  • Faculty Image

    Juraj Balkovic

    International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis

  • Faculty Image

    Chris Bataille

    Institute for Sustainable Development and International Relations

  • Faculty Image

    Steffen Fritz

    International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis

  • Faculty Image

    Vasilis Fthenakis

    Columbia University

  • Faculty Image

    Edgar Galrão

    Climate-KIC

  • Faculty Image

    Petr Havlik

    International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis

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    Mariana Heinrich

    World Business Council for Sustainable Development

  • Faculty Image

    William Horak

    Department of Nuclear Science and Technology

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    Ryan Jones

    Evolved Energy Research

  • Faculty Image

    Ian McCallum

    International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis

  • Faculty Image

    Stephanie McClellan

    University of Delaware

  • Faculty Image

    Maria Mendiluce

    World Business Council for Sustainable Development

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    Vijay Modi

    Columbia University

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    Ernest Moniz

    Federal Government of the United States of America

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    Michael Obersteiner

    International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis

  • Faculty Image

    Georgy Safonov

    National Research University Higher School of Economics

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    William Sisson

    United Technologies Research Center

  • Faculty Image

    Aline Soterroni

    International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis

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    John Thwaites

    Monash University

  • Faculty Image

    Hugo Valin

    International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis

  • Faculty Image

    Nathalie Walker

    National Wildlife Federation

This course is for

Climate change activists who want a concise overview of the science and emerging solutions

Sustainable development practitioners and private-sector actorssuch as those who work in corporate sustainability and responsibility or renewable energy – who need to understand how climate change solutions are being implemented and made successful

Graduate students and advanced undergraduate students interested in the key concepts and practices of this growing field

Questions?

Course logistics and requirements

This course is self-paced. All course components are available now and can be completed at any time that is convenient for the students. Please note that this course is not facilitated by a course team. We encourage students to engage with one another via the discussion forum. Any specific questions can be sent to the SDG Academy team at courses@sdgacademy.org.

Certificates

Learners who successfully complete the course will be eligible to purchase a Verified Certificate signed by Jeffrey Sachs.

syllabus

Module 1A: Implementing the Paris Climate Agreement (Part 1)

1.1

The Goal: < 2°C (Part 1)

1.2

The Goal: < 2°C (Part 2)

1.3

The Carbon Budget (Part 1)

1.4

The Carbon Budget (Part 2)

Module 1B: Implementing the Paris Climate Agreement (Part 2)

1.5

Deep Decarbonization: Reaching Net-Zero by the Second Half of the Century (Part 1)

1.6

Deep Decarbonization: Reaching Net-Zero by the Second Half of the Century (Part 2)

1.7

Sources and Sinks: Energy, Land Use, CCS (Part 1)

1.8

Sources and Sinks: Energy, Land Use, CCS (Part 2)

1.9

Uncertainties, Precaution, and Insurance (Part 1)

1.10

Uncertainties, Precaution, and Insurance (Part 2)

Module 2A: Deep Decarbonization: The Three Pillars and National Case Studies (Part 1)

2.1

Deep Decarbonization Pathway Planning and Mid-Century Strategies

2.2

The Three Pillars of Decarbonization

2.3

Case Study: US Deep Decarbonization (Part 1)

2.4

Case Study: US Deep Decarbonization (Part 2)

Module 2B: Deep Decarbonization: The Three Pillars and National Case Studies (Part 2)

2.5

Case Study: Russia Deep Decarbonization

2.6

Case Study: Canada Deep Decarbonization

2.7

Case Study: Australia Deep Decarbonization

2.8

Challenges in the Decarbonization Transition

Module 3: Low Emissions Electricity & Renewables

3.1

The Role of Innovation to Reduce Emissions

3.2

Innovative Off-Grid Energy Solutions

3.3

Renewables: Solar

3.4

Renewables: Wind

3.5

Nuclear Power

3.6

Transmission, Energy Storage and Grid Integration

3.7

Life Cycle Analysis

Module 4: Agriculture and Emissions

4.1

Earth Observations for Climate Mitigation

4.2

The Need to Reduce Uncertainties in Global Land-Use Information

4.3

Global Crop Models and Their Potential to Assess Mitigation Options in Agriculture

Module 5A: Monitoring Land Use (Part 1)

5.1

Mitigation on Land and the SDGs (Part 1)

5.2

Mitigation on Land and the SDGs (Part 2)

5.3

GHG Mitigation in Agriculture (Part 1)

5.4

GHG Mitigation in Agriculture (Part 2)

Module 5B: Monitoring Land Use (Part 2)

5.5

Using System Analysis for Globally Consistent National Mitigation Planning (Part 1)

5.6

Using System Analysis for Globally Consistent National Mitigation Planning (Part 2)

5.7

Case Study: Brazil’s Intended Nationally Determined Contribution

5.8

Supply Chain Solutions to Deforestation: Evidence from Brazil

Module 6: Policy Tools for the Transition to Low-Emissions

6.1

Principles of Public Policy

6.2

Putting a Price on Carbon (Part 1)

6.3

Putting a Price on Carbon (Part 2)

6.4

Intellectual Property, Access, and Innovation

6.5

Climate Fairness & Justice (Part 1)

6.7

Climate Fairness & Justice (Part 2)

Module 7: Low-Emission Solutions and the Business Community

7.1

Business Solutions for Climate Change

7.2

Technology Partnerships to Tackle Climate Change

7.3

Business Action in Practice: Renewables

7.4

Sustainable Transport Systems

7.5

The Role of Public-Private Partnerships (PPP)

7.6

Public Actions Necessary to Reach 1.5°C