ESG and Climate Change from Coursera

In this course, you will focus on understanding climate change and the risks and opportunities that it creates for businesses in the 21st century. You will analyze the current impacts of climate change on a global scale, and the investment shifts that are required to achieve a net-zero economy. Next, you will analyze the role of climate disclosures and their importance in ESG.

You will also review private environmental governance, the active role that private companies are playing in combating climate change, and the parallels between the public and private sectors. Additionally, you will assess the insurance industry and the ways that it spreads risk, as well as creative ways that insurance as a form of private or public governance can build climate resilience. In the final module, you will review the concept of greenwashing: what is driving firms to make exaggerated environmental claims, why it is harmful, and examples of enforcement actions. Finally, you will learn about the importance of product stewardship.

By the end of this course, you will have a thorough understanding of public and private environmental governance, the financial risks that unmitigated climate change is creating, climate disclosures, and innovative ways that business leaders can view and implement climate solutions.

What's inside

Syllabus

Module 1 – Introduction to Sustainability, Climate Risk & Opportunity

In this module, you will focus on understanding climate change and the risks and opportunities that it creates for businesses in the 21st century. You will analyze the current impacts of climate change on a global scale, and the investment shifts that are required to achieve a zero-carbon economy. Next, you will examine the stakeholders that are driving business firms to address climate change. You will learn how both the physical and financial stability risks that are imposed by more frequent natural disasters can affect business firms and the global economy. By the end of this module, you will have a detailed overview of the financial impacts of climate change, the ways that governments are addressing climate change, and the financial risks that unmitigated climate change is creating.

Module 2 – Public and Private Governance to Address Climate Change Goals

In this module, you will take an in-depth look at public environmental law and the distinct eras that have shaped modern-day climate policy. You will also review private environmental governance, examining the active role that private companies are playing in combating climate change as well as the parallels between the public and private sectors. Next, you will analyze the role of climate disclosures: what they require and their importance in ESG. By the end of this module, you will be able to differentiate between public and private environmental governance and their objectives, identify the three eras of public environmental law, and distinguish the role and goals of climate disclosures.

Module 3 – Building Climate Resilience through Creative Private Solutions

In this module, you will examine ecosystem services and the various methods used to promote climate resilience. You will review the ways in which public law addresses wildlife and habitat conservation and identify the limitations in meeting the demands of conservation efforts, especially when quick action is required to address disasters. Lastly, you will assess the insurance industry and the ways that it spreads risk, as well as creative ways that insurance as a form of private or public governance can build climate resilience. By the end of this module, you will have had a critical look at the different methods of building climate resilience, minimizing the impact of climate change through nature-based solutions, and two primary methods of insurance that can spread risk. You will understand the ways that private insurance can protect ecosystem services, and you will have identified innovative ways that business leaders can view climate solutions.

Module 4 – Extended Producer Responsibility, Product Stewardship, and the Circular Economy

In this module, you will learn about the idea of promoting a circular economy through better stewardship of resources and waste management. You will analyze the waste and recycling streams in the United States and the effects that they have on the environment. You will also examine the challenges with recycling programs worldwide. Next, you will evaluate product stewardship, and the key players in that lifecycle, and will learn to differentiate between product stewardship and extended producer responsibility. Lastly, you will review the concept of greenwashing: what is driving firms to make exaggerated environmental claims, why it is harmful, and examples of enforcement actions. By the end of this module, you will have assessed the importance of product stewardship, reviewed some of the limits on green marketing, and analyzed increasing regulatory action.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Suitable for learners in business- and sustainability-related fields

Geared towards intermediate learners seeking to build climate expertise

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 ESG and Climate Change with these activities:

Discuss climate change with your peers

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Discussing climate change with your peers will help you to better understand different perspectives on the issue.

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Find a peer group to discuss climate change with
Prepare for the discussion
Participate in the discussion
Reflect on the discussion

Calculate your carbon footprint

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Calculating your carbon footprint will help you understand your personal contribution to climate change.

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Use an online carbon footprint calculator
Identify ways to reduce your carbon footprint
Make a plan to reduce your carbon footprint

Attend a climate change workshop

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Attending a climate change workshop will give you the opportunity to learn from experts and network with other people who are passionate about climate change.

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Research climate change workshops in your area
Register for a workshop
Attend the workshop
Network with other participants
Learn from the experts

Five other activities

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Volunteer for a climate change organization

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Volunteering for a climate change organization will give you the opportunity to make a real difference in the fight against climate change.

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Research climate change organizations in your area
Contact the organization and inquire about volunteer opportunities
Complete the volunteer application
Attend volunteer training
Start volunteering

Review textbook

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Reviewing the textbook will give you a foundational understanding of climate change and sustainability.

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Read Chapter 1: Introduction to Environmental Science
Read Chapter 3: The Atmosphere
Read Chapter 4: Climate Change: The Science

Create a climate change action plan

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Creating a climate change action plan will give you the skills to take action on climate change.

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Identify your goals
Research climate change solutions
Develop a plan of action
Implement your plan
Monitor and evaluate your progress

Write a blog post about climate change

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Writing a blog post about climate change will help you communicate the importance of climate change to others.

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Choose a topic
Research your topic
Write your blog post
Publish your blog post
Promote your blog post

Contribute to a climate change project

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Contributing to a climate change project will help you make a real difference in the fight against climate change.

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Find a project to contribute to
Learn about the project
Make a contribution
Test your contribution
Submit your contribution

Career center

Learners who complete ESG and Climate Change will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Climate Change Analyst

Climate Change Analysts study the effects of climate change and develop strategies to mitigate its impact. By understanding the risks and opportunities of climate change, you will gain a competitive edge in this field.

See salaries and explore the career path for Climate Change Analyst

Climate Adaptation Specialist

Climate Adaptation Specialists develop and implement plans to help communities and businesses adapt to climate change. By understanding the physical and financial impacts of climate change, you will gain the necessary knowledge for this role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Climate Adaptation Specialist

Environmental Lawyer

Environmental Lawyers specialize in environmental law and regulations. They help organizations comply with environmental regulations and represent clients in environmental disputes. This course will provide you with the foundation in climate change law and policy that you need to be successful in this role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Environmental Lawyer

Sustainability Consultant

Sustainability Consultants help organizations improve their environmental performance. They develop and implement sustainability plans, and advise on climate change issues. By studying the impact of climate change and the public and private sectors' response to it, you will build a foundation for success in this role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Sustainability Consultant

ESG Analyst

ESG Analysts evaluate the environmental, social, and governance performance of companies. By understanding ESG reporting and its importance to investors, you can build the skills needed in this field.

See salaries and explore the career path for ESG Analyst

Renewable Energy Project Developer

Renewable Energy Project Developers plan, develop, and finance renewable energy projects. By gaining a strong understanding of the investment shifts required to achieve a net-zero economy, you will gain a competitive edge in this role.

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

Environmental Economist

Environmental Economists apply economic principles to environmental issues. They study the costs and benefits of environmental regulations and policies. By gaining a strong understanding of climate change economics in this course, you will build a foundation for success in this role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Environmental Economist

Policy Analyst

Policy Analysts research and analyze public policy issues. They develop recommendations for policymakers and advise on the implementation of policies. Studying climate change policy in this course can provide you with a competitive edge in a policy-related field.

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Corporate Social Responsibility Manager

Corporate Social Responsibility Managers develop and implement corporate social responsibility programs. By understanding the importance of climate change to stakeholders, you will gain the necessary knowledge for this role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Corporate Social Responsibility Manager

Environmental Activist

Environmental Activists work to protect the environment and promote sustainability. By understanding the risks and opportunities of climate change, you can gain the knowledge needed to be an effective advocate in this field.

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Environmental Educator

Environmental Educators teach people about the environment and sustainability. By understanding the science of climate change, you will gain the knowledge needed to effectively communicate about this issue.

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Green Building Consultant

Green Building Consultants advise clients on the design and construction of sustainable buildings. By understanding the principles of green building, you will build a foundation for success in this role.

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Insurance Underwriter

Insurance Underwriters assess and manage risk for insurance companies. By understanding the role of insurance in spreading risk and building climate resilience, you will build a foundation for success in this role.

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Environmental Engineer

Environmental Engineers design and implement solutions to environmental problems. They work in a variety of industries, including manufacturing, construction, and energy. This course will provide you with a solid understanding of the environmental regulations and challenges that Environmental Engineers face.

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Environmental Scientist

Environmental Scientists study the environment and how people affect it. They use their knowledge to develop solutions to environmental problems. This course may be useful to Environmental Scientists interested in understanding climate change and its impact on the environment. It also introduces private environmental governance, which can play a key role in combating climate change.

See salaries and explore the career path for Environmental Scientist