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Prof. Lena Neij,
Dr. Charlotte Leire,
Dr. Luis Mundaca,
Dr. Peter Arnfalk,
Prof. Oksana Mont,
Dr. Thomas Lindhqvist,
Dr. Håkan Rodhe,
and
Kes McCormick
How can we live a good life on one planet with over seven billion people?
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How can we live a good life on one planet with over seven billion people?
Read more
How can we live a good life on one planet with over seven billion people?
This course will explore greening the economy on four levels – individual, business, city, and nation. We will look at the relationships between these levels and give many practical examples of the complexities and solutions across the levels. Scandinavia, a pioneering place advancing sustainability and combating climate change, is a unique starting point for learning about greening the economy. We will learn from many initiatives attempted in Scandinavia since the 1970s, which are all potentially helpful and useful for other countries and contexts.
The International Institute for Industrial Environmental Economics (IIIEE) at Lund University is an international centre of excellence on strategies for sustainable solutions. The IIIEE is ideally suited to understand and explain the interdisciplinary issues in green economies utilising the diverse disciplinary backgrounds of its international staff. The IIIEE has been researching and teaching on sustainability and greener economies since the 1990s and it has extensive international networks connecting with a variety of organizations.
Register for this course and see more details by visiting:
OpenCourser.com/course/ddwgrk/greening
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What's inside
Syllabus
Introduction: what is a green economy and why is it important?
We start the course by looking at the key issues that a green economy seeks to address and the underlying concepts and definitions of a greener economy. In this module, we will describe problems arising from the interaction of the economy and the environment; we will state some of the aims of greening the economy and look into the multitude of definitions; we will use tools to measure and assess a green economy; and we will discuss concepts and indicators related to the green economy.
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Syllabus
Introduction: what is a green economy and why is it important?
We start the course by looking at the key issues that a green economy seeks to address and the underlying concepts and definitions of a greener economy. In this module, we will describe problems arising from the interaction of the economy and the environment; we will state some of the aims of greening the economy and look into the multitude of definitions; we will use tools to measure and assess a green economy; and we will discuss concepts and indicators related to the green economy.
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Traffic lights
Traffic lights
Read about what's good
what should give you pause and
possible dealbreakers
Instructed by faculty from different disciplines, which helps prepare learners for green economy initiatives that may require a multidisciplinary approach
Taught by instructors who are thought leaders in their field and have extensive experience in green economy research
Examines green economy initiatives in Scandinavia, which provides learners with excellent case studies and examples
Covers a comprehensive range of topics, from individual choices to national policies, providing a holistic view of green economy
Uses a multi-modal approach with readings, discussion, and interactive materials, which makes the learning experience engaging and varied
Part of a series of courses on green economies, which provides learners with opportunities to explore the topic in more depth
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Reviews summary
Greening the economy: scandinavian insights
According to learners, this course provides a clear and comprehensive overview of greening the economy, drawing valuable lessons from Scandinavia. Many found the content to be well-structured and appreciated the exploration of the topic across individual, business, city, and national levels. The instructors are highly praised for their expertise and passion, making the lectures engaging. While the course offers a strong foundation and is suitable for beginners or those seeking a broad understanding, some felt it could benefit from going into more depth on certain technical aspects or specific case studies beyond Scandinavia. Overall, it's seen as a positive and highly relevant introduction to sustainable economic transitions.
Course structure is logical and easy to follow.
"The weekly modules covering different levels (individual, business, city, nation) created a logical flow."
"Content is well-organized, building understanding step-by-step."
"I found the structure helped me grasp the interconnectedness of the different aspects."
Knowledgeable and passionate instructors.
"The lecturers were excellent - very knowledgeable, passionate, and effective communicators."
"Professors are engaging and articulate, making complex topics understandable."
"The quality of instruction from the Lund University faculty was very high."
Leverages Scandinavia for practical examples.
"Using Scandinavia as a case study was very insightful, providing concrete examples of policies and initiatives."
"I appreciated learning from the experiences and strategies implemented in Scandinavia, which feels pioneering."
"The specific focus on Scandinavia made the course unique and provided practical context, although applicability elsewhere needs consideration."
Broad introduction to green economy concepts.
"The course provides a clear and comprehensive overview of the concept of a green economy and the challenges and opportunities related to it."
"This course has given me a very good overview of how to green the economy from different perspectives (individual, business, city, nation)."
"It's a great introduction to the topic, well-structured and easy to follow even for someone new to the subject."
Could benefit from deeper dives on topics.
"While a great overview, I wished some topics went into more technical or practical detail."
"It felt like a good starting point, but perhaps lacks the depth required for advanced practitioners."
"Could benefit from more diverse case studies beyond the Scandinavian context to broaden applicability."
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 Greening the Economy: Lessons from Scandinavia with these
activities:
Read 'The Green Economy' by Peter Victor
Show steps
Read this introductory book to gain an overview of key concepts and challenges related to green economies.
Show steps
-
Read the book's introduction and first three chapters.
-
Take notes on the main arguments, examples, and case studies presented.
-
Summarize the key insights from the book in your own words.
Calculate your carbon footprint
Show steps
Practice calculating your own carbon footprint to understand the environmental impact of your individual choices.
Browse courses on
Carbon Footprint
Show steps
-
Gather data on your energy consumption, transportation, and waste disposal habits.
-
Use an online carbon calculator to estimate your emissions.
Review Green Economy Basics
Show steps
Review the core concepts and definitions of a green economy so you are familiar with them before the course begins.
Browse courses on
Green Economy
Show steps
-
Review the fundamental principles of green economics.
-
Research the historic roots and development of green economies.
Four other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all seven activities
Start a Green Business Plan
Show steps
Develop a draft plan for a hypothetical green business to deepen your understanding of how businesses can transition to green economies.
Browse courses on
Sustainable Business Models
Show steps
-
Brainstorm different business ideas that align with green economy principles.
-
Research target market, competition, and industry trends.
Explore case studies of sustainable businesses
Show steps
Learn from real-world examples of how businesses are implementing sustainable practices.
Browse courses on
Business Strategies
Show steps
-
Research and identify case studies of businesses that have successfully transitioned to a greener economy.
-
Analyze the strategies and initiatives implemented by these businesses.
Follow Tutorials on Green Economy Modeling
Show steps
Follow online tutorials to learn how to use tools and models for assessing the economic impact of green economy policies.
Show steps
-
Identify specific tools or models that align with your interests.
-
Find online tutorials or courses that provide step-by-step instructions.
-
Practice using the tools or models on case studies or real-world data.
Develop a sustainability plan for your home or workplace
Show steps
Apply the concepts of green economy to your own environment by creating a sustainability plan.
Show steps
-
Identify areas where you can reduce energy consumption, waste, and environmental impact.
-
Develop specific goals and actions to achieve your sustainability objectives.
-
Create a timeline and budget for implementing your plan.
Read 'The Green Economy' by Peter Victor
Show steps
Read this introductory book to gain an overview of key concepts and challenges related to green economies.
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Read the book's introduction and first three chapters.
- Take notes on the main arguments, examples, and case studies presented.
- Summarize the key insights from the book in your own words.
Calculate your carbon footprint
Show steps
Practice calculating your own carbon footprint to understand the environmental impact of your individual choices.
Browse courses on
Carbon Footprint
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Gather data on your energy consumption, transportation, and waste disposal habits.
- Use an online carbon calculator to estimate your emissions.
Review Green Economy Basics
Show steps
Review the core concepts and definitions of a green economy so you are familiar with them before the course begins.
Browse courses on
Green Economy
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Review the fundamental principles of green economics.
- Research the historic roots and development of green economies.
Four other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all seven activities
Start a Green Business Plan
Show steps
Develop a draft plan for a hypothetical green business to deepen your understanding of how businesses can transition to green economies.
Browse courses on
Sustainable Business Models
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Brainstorm different business ideas that align with green economy principles.
- Research target market, competition, and industry trends.
Explore case studies of sustainable businesses
Show steps
Learn from real-world examples of how businesses are implementing sustainable practices.
Browse courses on
Business Strategies
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Research and identify case studies of businesses that have successfully transitioned to a greener economy.
- Analyze the strategies and initiatives implemented by these businesses.
Follow Tutorials on Green Economy Modeling
Show steps
Follow online tutorials to learn how to use tools and models for assessing the economic impact of green economy policies.
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Identify specific tools or models that align with your interests.
- Find online tutorials or courses that provide step-by-step instructions.
- Practice using the tools or models on case studies or real-world data.
Develop a sustainability plan for your home or workplace
Show steps
Apply the concepts of green economy to your own environment by creating a sustainability plan.
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Identify areas where you can reduce energy consumption, waste, and environmental impact.
- Develop specific goals and actions to achieve your sustainability objectives.
- Create a timeline and budget for implementing your plan.
Career center
Learners who complete Greening the Economy: Lessons from Scandinavia will develop knowledge and skills
that may be useful to these careers:
Renewable Energy Developer
Renewable Energy Developer
Renewable Energy Developers develop and implement renewable energy projects, such as solar and wind farms. They may work for private companies, utilities, or government agencies. This course may be useful for those interested in learning about the business and policy aspects of transitioning to a green economy.
Climate Scientist
Climate Scientist
Climate Scientists study the Earth's climate and its changes over time. They may work in research, academia, or government. This course may be useful for those interested in learning about the science behind climate change and its implications for the economy and society.
Environmental Engineer
Environmental Engineer
Environmental Engineers design and implement solutions to environmental problems, such as pollution control and waste management. They may work in various industries, such as manufacturing, construction, and energy. This course may be useful for those interested in learning about the technical aspects of greening the economy.
Environmental Policy Analyst
Environmental Policy Analyst
Environmental Policy Analysts research, analyze, and develop environmental policies. They may work for government agencies, non-profit organizations, or businesses. This course may be useful for those interested in learning about the role of government in promoting a green economy.
Sustainability Manager
Sustainability Manager
Sustainability Managers oversee the development and implementation of sustainability initiatives within organizations. They may work in various sectors, such as manufacturing, energy, and transportation. This course may be useful for those interested in learning about the strategic aspects of greening the economy.
Environmental Consultant
Environmental Consultant
Environmental Consultants provide advice and guidance to businesses and organizations on how to reduce their environmental impact and comply with environmental regulations. This course may be useful for those interested in learning about the practical aspects of implementing sustainable practices in businesses.
Economist
Economist
Economists study the production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services. They may specialize in areas such as environmental economics, which focuses on the economic implications of environmental issues. This course may be useful for those interested in learning about the economic benefits of greening the economy.
Environmental Scientist
Environmental Scientist
Environmental Scientists study the environment and its components and processes. They may conduct research on topics such as climate change, pollution, and natural resource management. This course may be useful for those interested in learning about the relationships between the economy and the environment, as well as ways to implement sustainable practices.
For more career information including salaries, visit:
OpenCourser.com/course/ddwgrk/greening
Reading list
We've selected six 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
Greening the Economy: Lessons from Scandinavia.
Provides a comprehensive overview of the green economy, including its concepts, measurement, and relationship to sustainable development. It valuable resource for anyone looking to gain a deeper understanding of the green economy.
Save
Provides an introduction to the benefits and challenges of a green economy. It discusses the importance of resource efficiency, renewable energy, and sustainable agriculture. The book also provides case studies of businesses that are successfully transitioning to a green economy.
Provides a rigorous economic analysis of the green economy. It examines the costs and benefits of transitioning to a green economy and provides policy recommendations for governments and businesses.
Provides a global perspective on the green economy. It discusses the key challenges and opportunities that countries are facing in transitioning to a green economy.
This report provides an overview of the economic benefits of taking action on climate change. It discusses the costs and benefits of different climate change mitigation and adaptation strategies.
Explores the economic benefits of green cities. It discusses the role of green infrastructure, renewable energy, and sustainable transportation in creating a more sustainable and prosperous urban environment.
For more information about how these books relate to this course, visit:
OpenCourser.com/course/ddwgrk/greening
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Rating
4.7
Effort
Approx. 15 hours
Level
Introductory
Via
Coursera
Institution
Lund University
Instructors
Prof. Lena Neij
Dr. Charlotte Leire
Dr. Luis Mundaca
Dr. Peter Arnfalk
Prof. Oksana Mont
Dr. Thomas Lindhqvist
Dr. Håkan Rodhe
Kes McCormick
Language
English
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