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Ana Lucas
The topics discussed in the course are ones that appear in the press and social media every day, engaging more and more discussion and attention. This course explains the basic concepts and terminology behind Sustainability, ESG, Climate Risks and the developments in reporting/Disclosures.
Read more
The topics discussed in the course are ones that appear in the press and social media every day, engaging more and more discussion and attention. This course explains the basic concepts and terminology behind Sustainability, ESG, Climate Risks and the developments in reporting/Disclosures.
Read more
The topics discussed in the course are ones that appear in the press and social media every day, engaging more and more discussion and attention. This course explains the basic concepts and terminology behind Sustainability, ESG, Climate Risks and the developments in reporting/Disclosures.
The course is ideal for anyone who wishes to understand the concepts around Climate Change and Sustainability, be aware of what they mean and why they are important. It is a short course, that includes simple explanations and a few practical examples. The aim of the course is not to form experts in each of the topics, but to give anyone a fair understanding of them, so that they may engage in a conversation about the issue with someone, or better understand daily press and regulatory news, with a fair basis of knowledge.
The course explains what are Climate Risks, and why the concerns about their impact are leading companies and the Financial Sector to change their strategy and priorities. It explains why ESG is seen as a Risk Mangement Tool that helps companies be self critical of their impact in the society and planet but also creates resilience towards new evolutionary risks. In the course, I make the link between all these topics, leading to the understanding of why there is a new set of regulatory impositions towards analysing, measuring and disclosing ESG related risks.
These topics are very actual and evolve by the day, and sooner or later will become part of any business, company or financial institution, with implications in all levels of the organsations and in all job roles. I aim at bringing an introduction easy to understand that can help anyone at any level of an organization to embrace the changes that come with new sustainable strategies and the new goals and tasks that come ahead. All jobs will be at a certain point in time affected in some way by the Sustainability problematic, so I believe it is time for anyone to have the basic knowledge around these issues. The course brings value added to anyone who wishes to understand what this all means, flavored by someone who is hands on on real life implications, from decades of experience in managing and advising businesses.
Register for this course and see more details by visiting:
OpenCourser.com/course/28uv9e/beginner
What's inside
Syllabus
Introduction: New Evolutionary Risks require New Business Approaches
Introduction
Global Warming, Paris Agreement, Net-Zero Transition Pledges
Why Corporate and Social Responsibility (CSR) Evolves into ESG
Read more
Syllabus
Introduction: New Evolutionary Risks require New Business Approaches
Introduction
Global Warming, Paris Agreement, Net-Zero Transition Pledges
Why Corporate and Social Responsibility (CSR) Evolves into ESG
Read more
Traffic lights
Traffic lights
Read about what's good
what should give you pause and
possible dealbreakers
Explores ESG as a risk management tool, which helps companies be self-critical of their impact on society and the planet, creating resilience towards new evolutionary risks
Explains basic concepts and terminology behind sustainability, ESG, climate risks, and developments in reporting/disclosures, which are topics that appear in the press and social media every day
Examines the EU SFDR and CSRD, which are regulatory requirements and reporting standards that are becoming increasingly important for businesses operating in Europe
Covers Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions and the emissions gap, which are essential concepts for understanding the impact of businesses on the environment and the transition to net zero
Discusses the Carbon Markets and Carbon Pricing, which are important mechanisms for incentivizing emissions reductions and promoting sustainable investments in the global economy
Requires learners to understand new regulatory impositions towards analyzing, measuring, and disclosing ESG-related risks, which may require additional research and learning outside of the course
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Reviews summary
Clear introduction to net zero and esg
According to learners, this course offers a very clear and concise introduction to complex topics like Net Zero, ESG, and the sustainability landscape. Students appreciate the simple explanations and the way it breaks down challenging concepts and terminology into easy-to-understand modules. Many found it a great starting point and a solid foundation for understanding climate risks, ESG frameworks (like TCFD, EU Taxonomy, CSRD), and their relevance to current business trends and job opportunities. While overwhelmingly positive, a small number of reviewers felt the content was too superficial and could have offered more depth for those seeking more than a basic overview.
Suitable for beginners, lacks deep detail.
"I found the content too superficial and repetitive. It felt more like a 10-minute summary than a beginner's guide. Not enough depth."
"It is basic, however covers many acronyms with simple explanations."
"The course is excellent for beginners or anyone who wants a solid overview of ESG/Net-Zero and sustainability."
"Good quick high level overview, not very detailed."
Instructor simplifies complex material.
"The instructor did a fantastic job of explaining things in a simple and concise manner."
"The professor's explanations are very simple and easy to grasp."
"Thank you for the very clear explanation of complex matters."
"Instructor is very knowledgeable and simplifies this complex topic well."
Provides a solid basic understanding.
"This is a really good starting point if you are new to sustainability concepts in a business context."
"The course provides a solid foundation about sustainability and ESG concepts and practices."
"Excellent overview for beginners."
Covers crucial current sustainability topics.
"Covers all of the hot and relevant topics."
"Very relevant and up to date information presented."
"Highly relevant course on topics of global importance."
"I appreciated how relevant the material is to current business discussions and global news."
Breaks down complex concepts simply.
"The course provided a very clear and concise overview of the main concepts related to Net-Zero and ESG."
"I found it very easy to understand, even though these topics can be complex."
"The explanations were so clear and simple, making complex topics easy to grasp for the first time."
"Thank you for the very clear explanation of complex matters."
Activities
Be better prepared
before
your course. Deepen your understanding
during
and
after
it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered
in Beginner's Guide: Net Zero and the Sustainability Landscape with these
activities:
Review Climate Change Fundamentals
Show steps
Reinforce your understanding of the scientific basis of climate change, which is essential for grasping the urgency and context of net-zero goals and sustainability strategies.
Browse courses on
Climate Science
Show steps
-
Review basic climate science concepts.
-
Summarize the key drivers of climate change.
-
Outline the potential impacts of climate change.
Review 'Sustainability Principles and Practice'
Show steps
Gain a broader understanding of sustainability principles, which will help you contextualize the specific topics covered in the course.
View
Sustainability Principles and Practice
on Amazon
Show steps
-
Read the introductory chapters on sustainability.
-
Identify the key sustainability challenges.
-
Summarize the principles of sustainable development.
Compile a Glossary of Sustainability Terms
Show steps
Solidify your understanding of key terminology by creating a personal glossary of terms related to net-zero, ESG, and sustainability.
Show steps
-
Identify unfamiliar terms from course materials.
-
Define each term in your own words.
-
Provide examples of how each term is used.
Four other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all seven activities
Write a Blog Post on Scope 3 Emissions
Show steps
Deepen your understanding of Scope 3 emissions by researching and writing a blog post explaining their significance and challenges in measurement and reduction.
Show steps
-
Research Scope 3 emissions categories.
-
Outline the challenges in measuring Scope 3 emissions.
-
Write a blog post explaining Scope 3 emissions.
Review 'The Carbon Handbook'
Show steps
Expand your knowledge of carbon markets and pricing mechanisms, which are crucial for understanding net-zero strategies.
View
Putting Knowledge to Work
on Amazon
Show steps
-
Read chapters on carbon markets and pricing.
-
Summarize the different types of carbon credits.
-
Analyze the effectiveness of carbon pricing policies.
Calculate Your Personal Carbon Footprint
Show steps
Apply your knowledge of emissions accounting by calculating your own carbon footprint and identifying areas for reduction.
Show steps
-
Gather data on your energy consumption.
-
Use an online calculator to estimate your footprint.
-
Identify strategies to reduce your footprint.
Create a Presentation on ESG Reporting Frameworks
Show steps
Consolidate your understanding of ESG reporting by creating a presentation comparing and contrasting different frameworks like GRI, SASB, and TCFD.
Show steps
-
Research different ESG reporting frameworks.
-
Compare the frameworks' key metrics.
-
Create a presentation summarizing your findings.
Review Climate Change Fundamentals
Show steps
Reinforce your understanding of the scientific basis of climate change, which is essential for grasping the urgency and context of net-zero goals and sustainability strategies.
Browse courses on
Climate Science
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Review basic climate science concepts.
- Summarize the key drivers of climate change.
- Outline the potential impacts of climate change.
Review 'Sustainability Principles and Practice'
Show steps
Gain a broader understanding of sustainability principles, which will help you contextualize the specific topics covered in the course.
View
Sustainability Principles and Practice
on Amazon
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Read the introductory chapters on sustainability.
- Identify the key sustainability challenges.
- Summarize the principles of sustainable development.
Compile a Glossary of Sustainability Terms
Show steps
Solidify your understanding of key terminology by creating a personal glossary of terms related to net-zero, ESG, and sustainability.
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Identify unfamiliar terms from course materials.
- Define each term in your own words.
- Provide examples of how each term is used.
Four other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all seven activities
Write a Blog Post on Scope 3 Emissions
Show steps
Deepen your understanding of Scope 3 emissions by researching and writing a blog post explaining their significance and challenges in measurement and reduction.
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Research Scope 3 emissions categories.
- Outline the challenges in measuring Scope 3 emissions.
- Write a blog post explaining Scope 3 emissions.
Review 'The Carbon Handbook'
Show steps
Expand your knowledge of carbon markets and pricing mechanisms, which are crucial for understanding net-zero strategies.
View
Putting Knowledge to Work
on Amazon
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Read chapters on carbon markets and pricing.
- Summarize the different types of carbon credits.
- Analyze the effectiveness of carbon pricing policies.
Calculate Your Personal Carbon Footprint
Show steps
Apply your knowledge of emissions accounting by calculating your own carbon footprint and identifying areas for reduction.
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Gather data on your energy consumption.
- Use an online calculator to estimate your footprint.
- Identify strategies to reduce your footprint.
Create a Presentation on ESG Reporting Frameworks
Show steps
Consolidate your understanding of ESG reporting by creating a presentation comparing and contrasting different frameworks like GRI, SASB, and TCFD.
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Research different ESG reporting frameworks.
- Compare the frameworks' key metrics.
- Create a presentation summarizing your findings.
Career center
Learners who complete Beginner's Guide: Net Zero and the Sustainability Landscape will develop knowledge and skills
that may be useful to these careers:
ESG Reporting Specialist
ESG Reporting Specialist
An ESG reporting specialist focuses on gathering, analyzing, and reporting ESG data for companies. This course helps the candidate become familiar with sustainability, ESG disclosures and standards. The understanding of frameworks, certifications, and regulatory requiremnts guides the specialist in accurate and effective reporting. An ESG reporting specialist should take this course to better understand the terminology behind ESG.
ESG Analyst
ESG Analyst
An ESG analyst evaluates companies based on their environmental, social, and governance practices. This course helps build a strong base by explaining the terminology behind ESG, climate risks, and sustainability reporting. The discussions on ESG ratings, regulatory requirements, and sustainability disclosures prepare an analyst to assess a company's ESG performance. An aspiring ESG analyst should take this course to understand the new regulatory impositions towards disclosing ESG related risks.
Sustainable Finance Specialist
Sustainable Finance Specialist
A sustainable finance specialist works within the financial sector to promote and implement sustainable investment strategies. This course makes the link between climate risks, ESG, and sustainability disclosures, all of which impact the financial sector. An understanding of the EU Taxonomy and SFDR is essential for sustainable finance. A sustainable finance specialist should take this course to understand sustainability and climate risks.
Climate Risk Manager
Climate Risk Manager
A climate risk manager identifies, assesses, and mitigates climate-related risks for an organization. This course explains climate risks, their financial impact, and their impact on businesses. The insights into physical and transition risks, along with emerging disclosure standards, help risk managers develop effective strategies. A climate risk manager should take this course to have a better understanding of how to analyze, measure, and disclose ESG related risks.
Sustainability Consultant
Sustainability Consultant
A sustainability consultant advises organizations on how to operate in a more environmentally responsible manner. This Beginner's Guide provides a foundational understanding of key sustainability concepts like ESG, climate risks, and emissions reduction, enabling aspiring consultants to better grasp client needs and recommend effective strategies. The course's explanations of standards, frameworks, certifications and emerging disclosure requirements provide a consultant with a strong base of knowledge. A sustainability consultant should take this course to better guide businesses towards integrating sustainability into their core strategies.
Sustainability Manager
Sustainability Manager
A sustainability manager develops and implements sustainability initiatives within an organization. This course covers the basics of sustainability, ESG, and climate risks. An understanding of the EU Taxonomy, SFDR, and CSRD helps managers integrate sustainability into organizational strategy. A sustainability manager should take this course to better understand and implement new sustainable strategies.
Corporate Social Responsibility Manager
Corporate Social Responsibility Manager
A corporate social responsibility manager develops and implements social responsibility initiatives within an organization. This course explains how CSR evolves into ESG, providing a broader perspective on corporate impact. The insights into social impact, regulatory requirements, and reporting landscape guide the manager in creating effective CSR programs. A corporate social responsibility manager should take this course to understand evolutionary risks and ESG.
Carbon Market Analyst
Carbon Market Analyst
Carbon market analysts evaluate and forecast trends in carbon markets. This course discusses carbon markets and carbon pricing, providing an introduction to how these markets operate. The course also explains the Greenhouse Gas Protocol, which is essential to understanding emission accounting. An aspiring carbon market analyst should take this course to better understand sustainable strategies and goals.
Sustainability Communications Manager
Sustainability Communications Manager
A sustainability communications manager crafts and delivers internal and external communications related to an organization's sustainability efforts. This course explains the basic concepts and terminology behind sustainability. The awareness of concerns about emissions reduction and social impact will inform communication strategies. A sustainability communications manager should take this course to understand concerns about social impact.
Environmental Compliance Manager
Environmental Compliance Manager
An environmental compliance manager ensures an organization adheres to environmental regulations and standards. This course provides an overview of climate risks and emissions reduction. Understanding sustainability and ESG disclosures may help compliance managers stay updated on requirements. An environmental compliance manager should take this course to understand new evolutionary risks.
Impact Investment Analyst
Impact Investment Analyst
An impact investment analyst identifies and analyzes investment opportunities that generate social and environmental impact alongside financial returns. This course explains the connections between climate risks, ESG, and sustainability disclosures, which are important for evaluating impact investments. This course may be useful because it discusses standards, frameworks and certifications. An impact investment analyst should consider taking this course to better understand the concepts around climate change and sustainability.
Regulatory Affairs Specialist
Regulatory Affairs Specialist
Regulatory affairs specialists ensure that a company's products comply with relevant laws and regulations. This course explains the basic concepts and terminology behind sustainability, which will prove helpful to someone in regulatory affairs. The specialist should take this course to become aware of what sustainability concepts mean.
Energy Conservation Manager
Energy Conservation Manager
An energy conservation manager develops and implements energy efficiency programs and initiatives within an organization. This course explains the basic concepts and terminology behind sustainability, which will prove helpful to an energy conservation manager. The manager should take this course to become aware of what sustainability concepts mean.
Environmental Lobbyist
Environmental Lobbyist
An environmental lobbyist advocates for environmental policies and regulations. This course explains the basic concepts and terminology behind sustainability, which will prove helpful to an environmental lobbyist. The lobbyist should take this course to become aware of what sustainability concepts mean.
Renewable Energy Project Manager
Renewable Energy Project Manager
A renewable energy project manager oversees the development and implementation of renewable energy projects. This course explains the basic concepts and terminology behind sustainability, which will prove helpful to a renewable energy project manager. The manager should take this course to become aware of what sustainability concepts mean.
For more career information including salaries, visit:
OpenCourser.com/course/28uv9e/beginner
Reading list
We've selected two books
that we think will supplement your
learning. Use these to
develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a
deeper understanding of the topics covered in
Beginner's Guide: Net Zero and the Sustainability Landscape.
This handbook provides a comprehensive overview of carbon markets, carbon pricing, and carbon accounting. It valuable reference for understanding the mechanisms and policies related to emissions reduction. It is particularly useful for understanding the complexities of carbon markets and their role in achieving net-zero goals. adds depth to the course by providing detailed information on carbon-related topics.
Provides a broad overview of sustainability concepts and practices, covering environmental, social, and economic dimensions. It useful reference for understanding the interconnectedness of various sustainability issues. It is particularly helpful for grasping the holistic nature of ESG and its application in business strategies. This book is often used as a textbook in sustainability courses.
For more information about how these books relate to this course, visit:
OpenCourser.com/course/28uv9e/beginner
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