Companies and climate change from Coursera

How can companies act in the fight against global warming?

This is a question that is being asked more and more urgently to all economic actors.

To shed some light on your thoughts, we have met with four companies of various sizes and sectors of activity that are very committed to the subject. They will share with you their progress in aligning themselves with the objectives of the Paris Accord.

Alain Grandjean and his colleagues from Carbone 4 will bring you the fundamentals of the subject, scientific bases to clarify the stakes, but also and above all, methodological elements to help you put your company on the path of the 2 degrees.With my fellow professors from ESSEC, we will bring you complementary views and a synthesis of all the contents.

This MOOC will not be a technical MOOC, this MOOC will not be an advocacy MOOC either, this MOOC will be a pedagogical object that will help you have a better understanding of organizational issues and managerial concepts in relation to climate change - a complex scientific topic. It is therefore a question of knowing more about how a company can take climate change into account in its strategy and its operations.

For those who wish to do so, we will provide you with tools and means to take action on these issues of climate change and energy transition.

What's inside

Syllabus

1. Taking ownership of the issues

2. Managing the energy transition

Financing the energy transition

4. Changing your business model

Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Explores Corporate Climate Change Action, a topic of rising importance in business

Guides learners through case studies and practical steps to address climate change, providing valuable insights

Suitable for individuals in energy, sustainability, and business strategy roles

Provides a foundational understanding of climate change issues and their impact on business

Clarifies scientific concepts related to climate change

Content is up-to-date and relevant, ensuring learners stay informed on this evolving topic

Reviews summary

Strategic insights for corporate climate action

According to learners, this course provides a largely positive and highly relevant overview of how companies can integrate climate action into their core strategy. Students particularly praise the expert insights from ESSEC professors and Carbone 4, along with valuable real-world case studies and interviews with committed companies, which enhance the course's practical applicability. The course is noted for its clear structure and non-technical approach, making complex topics digestible for business professionals. While many find it an excellent foundation for understanding strategic and managerial concepts, a minority of students indicate it might be too high-level or lack sufficient depth for those seeking advanced technical implementation details or granular operational examples.

Simplifies complex climate topics for a business audience.

"It wasn't overly technical, which was perfect for me as a business professional."

"It breaks down complex topics into digestible modules. Great for understanding the strategic implications."

"I found the content very digestible and easy to follow, even for someone not from an environmental background."

Recent reviews confirm the course content remains current and relevant.

"A very timely and important course."

"The content is very up-to-date."

"I appreciate how the course seems to reflect current market dynamics and challenges, making it highly applicable."

Features knowledgeable instructors and credible company case studies.

"The insights from Carbone 4 and the real-world case studies were incredibly valuable."

"The interviews with company representatives added a lot of credibility and real-world perspective."

"The ESSEC professors and Carbone 4 experts provided excellent insights. The content is very up-to-date."

Addresses urgent corporate climate challenges with strategic insights.

"Excellent course that provides a comprehensive overview of how companies can truly integrate climate action into their core strategy."

"This course is a must-take for anyone working in business and realizing the urgency of climate change. It offers a clear framework..."

"I found the segment on 'Changing your business model' to be highly relevant for current market dynamics."

Offers a broad foundation but may lack in-depth technical details.

"Some parts felt a bit high-level, and I wished for slightly more granular examples on specific operational changes..."

"The course covered good concepts but sometimes felt a bit superficial. While the intention was not to be technical, I found myself wanting more depth in certain areas..."

"Good for beginners, but not for those looking for advanced topics. The discussions were good, but I felt some of the content could have been more rigorous."

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 Companies and climate change with these activities:

Organize Course Resources and Materials

Show steps

Consolidate and review course materials to enhance your understanding and retention.

Show steps

Compile and organize course notes, readings, and assignments
Create summaries or mind maps to consolidate key concepts

Carbon Accounting and Reporting Exercises

Show steps

Enhance your understanding of carbon accounting principles and reporting frameworks through hands-on exercises.

Browse courses on Carbon Accounting

Show steps

Apply carbon accounting methodologies to calculate emissions from different sources
Prepare emissions reports based on recognized standards

Develop a Climate Action Plan

Show steps

Craft a comprehensive plan outlining specific actions, timelines, and responsibilities for reducing your company's emissions.

Show steps

Establish emission reduction targets aligned with scientific recommendations
Identify and prioritize mitigation measures across operations, supply chain, and products/services
Develop a monitoring and reporting framework to track progress

Two other activities

Expand to see all activities and additional details

Show all five activities

Contribute to Open-Source Climate Data Platforms

Show steps

Support the development and accessibility of climate-related data by contributing to open-source platforms.

Browse courses on Climate Modeling

Show steps

Identify open-source climate data platforms or projects
Review and contribute to code repositories or documentation
Participate in community discussions and support other contributors

Share Your Climate Change Expertise

Show steps

Contribute to raising awareness and empowering others by sharing your knowledge and experience in climate change.

Show steps

Identify platforms or organizations where you can share your expertise
Develop presentations, workshops, or training materials on climate change topics
Engage with learners and provide guidance on climate-related issues

Career center

Learners who complete Companies and climate change will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Sustainability Manager

Sustainability Managers help businesses reduce their environmental impact while also cutting costs and engaging customers. This course may help you think strategically about climate change in the business context and how to implement solutions to mitigate its effects.

See salaries and explore the career path for Sustainability Manager

Environmental Scientist

Environmental Scientists are concerned with the natural world. They study how it works, how it is changing, and how to protect it. A course on companies and climate change may be useful in helping you understand the particular challenges and opportunities presented by climate change.

See salaries and explore the career path for Environmental Scientist

Energy Manager

Energy Managers plan, direct, and coordinate activities to ensure the efficient use of energy in organizations. The information on energy transition in this course may help you advance in this role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Energy Manager

Environmental Economist

Environmental Economists apply economic theory and methods to environmental issues like climate change. This course can help you better understand the economic dimensions of climate change, including the costs and benefits of different policy options.

See salaries and explore the career path for Environmental Economist

Climate Adaptation Specialist

Climate Adaptation Specialists help organizations prepare for the impacts of climate change. This course may be useful for building a foundation in the science of climate change, its potential effects, and what steps businesses can take to adapt.

See salaries and explore the career path for Climate Adaptation Specialist

Environmental Policy Analyst

Environmental Policy Analysts develop and evaluate environmental policies. This course may help you develop a deeper understanding of the scientific basis and policy implications of climate change.

See salaries and explore the career path for Environmental Policy Analyst

Sustainability Consultant

Sustainability Consultants provide guidance to organizations on how to improve their environmental performance. This course may help you gain the knowledge and skills needed to advise businesses on climate change strategy.

See salaries and explore the career path for Sustainability Consultant

Renewable Energy Project Developer

Renewable Energy Project Developers oversee the development and implementation of renewable energy projects, such as solar and wind farms. This course may help you understand the business case for renewable energy and the challenges and opportunities involved in developing these projects.

See salaries and explore the career path for Renewable Energy Project Developer

Environmental Engineer

Environmental Engineers design and implement solutions to environmental problems. This course may help you gain a better understanding of the science behind climate change and how to develop and implement engineering solutions to mitigate its effects.

See salaries and explore the career path for Environmental Engineer

Conservation Scientist

Conservation Scientists study and develop strategies to protect natural resources and ecosystems. This course can help you better understand the impacts of climate change on biodiversity and how to develop conservation strategies that take climate change into account.

See salaries and explore the career path for Conservation Scientist

Carbon Footprint Analyst

Carbon Footprint Analysts measure and analyze the greenhouse gas emissions of organizations. This course may be useful for gaining the skills and knowledge needed to conduct carbon footprint assessments and develop strategies to reduce emissions.

See salaries and explore the career path for Carbon Footprint Analyst

Environmental Lawyer

Environmental Lawyers specialize in environmental law and policy. This course may help you gain a better understanding of the legal framework surrounding climate change and how to navigate the regulatory landscape.

See salaries and explore the career path for Environmental Lawyer

Climate Scientist

Climate Scientists study the Earth's climate system and how it is changing. This course can help you build a foundation in climate science and gain a better understanding of the scientific evidence for climate change.

See salaries and explore the career path for Climate Scientist

Environmental Educator

Environmental Educators teach people about environmental issues and how to protect the environment. This course may help you develop the knowledge and skills needed to effectively communicate about climate change and engage the public in climate action.

See salaries and explore the career path for Environmental Educator

Energy Auditor

Energy Auditors assess the energy efficiency of buildings and make recommendations for improvements. This course may be useful for gaining the skills and knowledge needed to conduct energy audits and help organizations reduce their energy consumption.

See salaries and explore the career path for Energy Auditor