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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?

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.

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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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Individual choices
Here in Module 2 we look at the individual level and how individual choices can help or hinder progress towards a green economy. This module offers an increased understanding of patterns and levels of consumption; we will look at the drivers and theories of consumer behaviour and the limitations of working with consumer choice in isolation (e.g. rebound effect); and develop an understanding of how to measure the impact of consumption (e.g. carbon footprint).
Business strategies
In the third module, we look at the business level, focusing on how companies and organisations choose strategies that can help transitions to a green economy. In this module, the aim is to understand the changes relevant to the business level for a greener economy. You will be presented to some solutions and concepts that companies use to deal with complex problems encountered in their sustainability work. We will discuss the challenges facing companies that want to take a lead in the transition to a greener economy, and reflect on strategies for green business in different contexts.
Sustainable cities
In Module 4, we look at how planning and designing cities can help achieve a green economy and underpin sustainable development. The aim this week is to understand the role of cities for experimentation, planning, collaboration and providing visions for a greener economy. We will use tools to measure and critically assess green economy indicators at the city level and discuss whether city level policies and actions in Scandinavia can work around the world.
National policies
Finally, in the fifth module, we look at how national governments can establish policies to promote green economy across the different levels (individual, business, city, national) discussed in this course. In this module, we discuss how national level policies affect cities, business, and individuals, as well as the challenges for national level policies to influence other levels, including the international sphere. Finally, we will discuss whether national policies from Scandinavia can work in other contexts

Good to know

Know what's good
, what to watch for
, 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

Engaging green economics course scandinavia

Learners say this course provides a comprehensive overview of green economics with a focus on the successes of Scandinavia. Reviews indicate that the course is exceptionally well-organized and features engaging assignments that encourage critical thinking. The course includes lecture videos, interviews with experts, and a variety of readings that provide a solid foundation for understanding this complex topic.
Course compendium is a valuable resource with additional readings and materials.
"The course compendium is a wonderful and very useful complement of the course, I would learn significantly less without it."
"Great content, supporting materials and 'external reference' articles covered in the Compendium too - to keep as a reference."
"The compendium is very valuable too and help to explore the topics in more detail. "
Course is well-structured with clear progression of topics.
"A course is well structured and narrated by faculty staff."
"Excellent , well structured course"
"Excellent course build up, the variaty of videos and activities work really well and its very well paced."
Content is engaging with relevant examples and expert insights.
"Very good learning material course support ( in many formats such as audio, video, e-learning, pdf ), and references (articles, third parties online platforms) and interviews"
"Excellent course! The level is exactly on the meeting point of graspability for people of various backgrounds and expert knowledge."
"Excellent, well structured course with clear thoughts on how various stakeholders eg. individual, organization, city , and country can work towards circular economy, Green Principals of economy."
Peer grading can be difficult due to inconsistent feedback.
"This course offers material to start investigating about the world of sustainability, to help society and our planet. The interviews, readings, hints of the teacher's explanations and the required tasks make you question things and wanting to dig deeper."
"I personally really enjoyed this course as it gave me a clear and broad understanding of the basics of a green economy. While I enjoyed writing the peer reviewed assignments, the grading system doesn't work as intended and it takes a long time for peers to grade an assignment."
"Excellent course build up, the variaty of videos and activities work really well and its very well paced. 1 star missing would be for improvements: students reviewing the activities is terrible, someone in charge of this course should be responsible for this activities reviews and feedbacks, not the learners."

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
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
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
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
Develop a draft plan for a hypothetical green business to deepen your understanding of how businesses can transition to green economies.
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
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
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
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.

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 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 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 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 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 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 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
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 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.

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.
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.

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