OpenCourser brand icon
Sign in
We may earn an affiliate commission when you visit our partners.
Course image
Course image
edX logo

Natural Resources for Sustainable Development

4.5 Filled star Filled star Filled star Filled star Half star
Based on 8 ratings
see reviews
Lisa Sachs, Patrick Heller, and NR Faculty

Natural resources represent a potentially transformational opportunity to support development but are ultimately finite How do we make the most of them without destroying the planet? In this 12-week course, produced by the Natural Resource Governance Institute, the Columbia Center on Sustainable Investment and the World Bank, learn about efforts to sustainably manage extractive industry investments. You will come to understand the complex and interwoven aspects of natural resource governance and become part of a global movement of citizens and practitioners committed to harnessing the transformational impacts of our natural resources.

Read more

Natural resources represent a potentially transformational opportunity to support development but are ultimately finite How do we make the most of them without destroying the planet? In this 12-week course, produced by the Natural Resource Governance Institute, the Columbia Center on Sustainable Investment and the World Bank, learn about efforts to sustainably manage extractive industry investments. You will come to understand the complex and interwoven aspects of natural resource governance and become part of a global movement of citizens and practitioners committed to harnessing the transformational impacts of our natural resources.

This course is for:

  • Sustainable development practitioners – as well as private-sector actors, such as those who work in corporate sustainability and responsibility or renewable energy – who need a historical context of the extractives industry and its evolution
  • Extractive practitioners, such as those who work in oil, gas and mining, who are interested in making the field more sustainable
  • Graduate students and advanced undergraduate students studying extractives, environmental science, environmental law, sustainable development, sustainable business and related fields
  • Climate change activists or practitioners looking to understand the balance of sustainable resource use and business investment
Enroll now

What's inside

Learning objectives

  • How countries translate natural resource wealth into sustainable development outcomes
  • How governance of extractive industries impact long term economic development
  • The policies necessary for the sustainable management of natural resource wealth
  • Why communication between government, industry, and citizensis critical to sustainable natural resource management

Syllabus

Module 1: Challenges and opportunities
History of oil, gas, and mining
Challenges& opportunities: oil, gas, and mining
The decision chain of natural resource management (I)
Read more

Traffic lights

Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Teaches about efforts to sustainably manage extractive industry investments
Develops critical understanding of key topics such as governance, policy, and environmental issues
Instructors are experts in natural resource governance
Suitable for various audiences including sustainability practitioners, extractive practitioners, researchers, and climate change activists
Offers a historical context of the extractives industry and its evolution
Examines the political, economic, and social impacts of natural resource extraction

Save this course

Create your own learning path. Save this course to your list so you can find it easily later.
Save

Reviews summary

Holistic view of natural resource governance

According to students, this course offers a comprehensive and nuanced understanding of natural resource governance, praised for its broad scope covering legal, fiscal, environmental, and social aspects. Learners highlight its well-structured content, following a logical 'decision chain,' and the expert instructors who make complex topics accessible. While many find the material highly relevant for practitioners and students, some suggest a need for more practical case studies and interactive elements to enhance engagement. The course is largely seen as providing a strong theoretical foundation, though a few older reviews hint at some content feeling less up-to-date. Overall, it's considered an indispensable overview for those in sustainable development or extractive industries.
Strong theoretical base, but some desire more real-world case studies.
"My only minor critique is that some modules felt a bit high-level, and I would have loved more practical case studies or exercises to apply the concepts."
"While the theory is strong, more case studies illustrating success and failure in different contexts would have been highly beneficial."
"For those seeking a strong academic foundation, this is perfect. If you're looking for purely practical... you might find it a bit abstract in places."
Instructors are highly knowledgeable and make topics accessible.
"The instructors were knowledgeable and the content was highly relevant for my work as a sustainable development practitioner."
"The instructors' expertise shines through, making complex topics accessible."
"Fantastic overview of a complex field... The instructors are clearly experts."
Provides a broad and deep overview of natural resource governance.
"This course provided an incredibly comprehensive and nuanced understanding of natural resource governance."
"Overall, a very good course for understanding the complexities of natural resources. The strengths lie in its broad scope, covering political economy, legal aspects, and environmental issues."
"A well-researched and comprehensive course. It covers a vast array of topics relevant to natural resource management."
A few older sections might benefit from content updates.
"While the subject matter is important, I found the course material somewhat dated in parts, especially concerning evolving technology in Module 3."
"Some statistics and examples felt a few years behind."
Content delivery could be more dynamic and interactive.
"I felt some parts were a bit dry and lecture-heavy, lacking interactive elements or more engaging discussions."
"The content is generally good, but the delivery could be improved to maintain engagement, especially for such a critical topic."
"The lectures were a bit dry at times."

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 Natural Resources for Sustainable Development with these activities:
Review Types of Extractive Industries
Review the different types of extractive industries to strengthen your foundational understanding of the course materials.
Browse courses on Mining
Show steps
  • Define extractive industries and their importance.
  • Identify the major types of extractive industries, such as mining, oil and gas extraction, and quarrying.
  • Describe the key characteristics and processes involved in each type of extractive industry.
Read 'The Curse of Natural Resources'
Gain insights into the challenges and opportunities associated with natural resource wealth management by reviewing this foundational text.
Show steps
  • Read the book thoroughly, taking notes on key concepts and arguments.
  • Summarize the main points of each chapter, focusing on the economic, social, and environmental implications of natural resource wealth.
Organize and Review Course Materials
Enhance your learning by organizing and reviewing key course materials, including notes, assignments, and presentations.
Show steps
  • Create a system for organizing your course materials, such as folders or digital note-taking tools.
  • Review your notes and identify key concepts, definitions, and examples.
  • Summarize important points from assignments and presentations.
Two other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all five activities
Participate in Discussion Forums
Engage with peers, exchange ideas, and deepen your understanding of course concepts through active participation in discussion forums.
Show steps
  • Read the discussion prompts and review the contributions of others.
  • Formulate your own thoughts and perspectives on the topic.
  • Post thoughtful responses that contribute to the discussion.
Develop a Sustainable Natural Resource Management Plan
Apply your knowledge and skills to create a comprehensive plan for managing natural resources sustainably in a specific context.
Show steps
  • Identify a natural resource that is of particular interest or concern.
  • Research and analyze the current state of the resource, including its environmental, economic, and social dimensions.
  • Develop a set of sustainable management strategies and objectives.
  • Create a detailed implementation plan, including timelines, budgets, and performance indicators.

Career center

Learners who complete Natural Resources for Sustainable Development will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Environmental Consultant
Environmental Consultants use their specialized knowledge to advise and support organizations in minimizing their environmental impact and meeting regulatory requirements. They work closely with clients to develop and implement sustainable solutions, such as pollution prevention strategies and waste management programs. This course provides a comprehensive overview of the extractive industry, including its environmental challenges and trends. It also covers managing environmental challenges, environmental impact assessments, and the role of extractive industries in climate change. This knowledge can be highly valuable for Environmental Consultants working in the extractive sector.
See salaries and explore the career path for Environmental Consultant
Sustainability Manager
Sustainability Managers are responsible for developing and implementing sustainability strategies within organizations. They work to identify and manage environmental, social, and economic risks and opportunities, and to improve the sustainability performance of their organizations. This course provides a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities associated with natural resource management, as well as the policies and strategies necessary for sustainable development. It also covers communication between government, industry, and citizens, which is critical for effective sustainability management.
See salaries and explore the career path for Sustainability Manager
Natural Resource Manager
Natural Resource Managers develop and implement plans and policies for the sustainable management of natural resources, such as forests, water, and minerals. They work with a variety of stakeholders, including government agencies, businesses, and community groups, to ensure that natural resources are used wisely and sustainably. This course provides a comprehensive overview of the extractive industry, including the governance of extractive industries, the policies necessary for sustainable management, and the challenges and opportunities associated with translating natural resource wealth into sustainable development outcomes.
See salaries and explore the career path for Natural Resource Manager
Policy Analyst
Policy Analysts research, analyze, and make recommendations on public policy issues. They work for a variety of organizations, including government agencies, think tanks, and non-profit organizations. This course provides a deep understanding of the political economy of natural resources, including how natural resources shape and are shaped by political context, and the role of transparency and accountability in natural resource management. This knowledge can be highly valuable for Policy Analysts working on energy and environmental policy.
See salaries and explore the career path for Policy Analyst
Energy Analyst
Energy Analysts study the production, distribution, and consumption of energy, and make recommendations on energy policy. They work for a variety of organizations, including government agencies, energy companies, and consulting firms. This course provides a comprehensive overview of the extractive industry, including the challenges and opportunities associated with oil, gas, and mining, as well as the policies necessary for sustainable management. It also covers the environmental challenges and trends associated with extractive industries, and the role of extractive industries in climate change.
See salaries and explore the career path for Energy Analyst
Investment Analyst
Investment Analysts evaluate and recommend investments for individuals and institutions. They work for a variety of organizations, including investment banks, asset management companies, and pension funds. This course provides a deep understanding of the fiscal regime design and revenue collection in the extractive industry, as well as the challenges of revenue management. It also covers investing in sustainable development and the economic linkages to the extractive sector. This knowledge can be highly valuable for Investment Analysts working on energy and natural resources investments.
See salaries and explore the career path for Investment Analyst
Corporate Social Responsibility Manager
Corporate Social Responsibility Managers develop and implement strategies to ensure that their organizations operate in a socially responsible and sustainable manner. They work with a variety of stakeholders, including employees, customers, and communities, to address social and environmental issues. This course provides a deep understanding of the social impact and engagement in the extractive industry, including human rights and the mining industry, mining and vulnerable populations, and company-community agreements. It also covers artisanal mining and the challenges and opportunities associated with it.
See salaries and explore the career path for Corporate Social Responsibility Manager
Public relations manager
Public Relations Managers develop and implement communication strategies to build and maintain a positive public image for their organizations. They work with a variety of stakeholders, including the media, investors, and community groups. This course provides a deep understanding of the communication between government, industry, and citizens in the context of natural resource management, as well as the challenges and opportunities associated with engaging citizens. It also covers aligning extractive industries with the SDGs.
See salaries and explore the career path for Public relations manager
International Development Specialist
International Development Specialists work to improve the economic and social conditions of developing countries. They work for a variety of organizations, including government agencies, non-profit organizations, and international development banks. This course provides a comprehensive overview of the extractive industry, including the challenges and opportunities associated with translating natural resource wealth into sustainable development outcomes. It also covers the political economy of natural resources, and the role of transparency and accountability in natural resource management.
See salaries and explore the career path for International Development Specialist
Journalist
Journalists research and write news stories for newspapers, magazines, and websites. They work to inform the public about important issues and events. This course provides a deep understanding of the extractive industry, including the challenges and opportunities associated with oil, gas, and mining, as well as the policies necessary for sustainable management. It also covers the environmental challenges and trends associated with extractive industries, and the role of extractive industries in climate change.
See salaries and explore the career path for Journalist
Lawyer
Lawyers advise clients on legal matters and represent them in court. They work in a variety of settings, including private law firms, government agencies, and corporations. This course provides a deep understanding of the legal and regulatory frameworks for extractive industries, including the allocation of rights, implementation and monitoring of legal frameworks, and international law and the extractive industries. It also covers state-owned enterprises and their role and governance.
See salaries and explore the career path for Lawyer
Economist
Economists study the production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services. They work for a variety of organizations, including government agencies, businesses, and research institutions. This course provides a deep understanding of the resource economics and fiscal regime principles in the extractive industry, as well as the challenges of revenue management. It also covers investing in sustainable development and the economic linkages to the extractive sector.
See salaries and explore the career path for Economist
Project Manager
Project Managers plan, organize, and execute projects. They work in a variety of industries, including construction, engineering, and IT. This course provides a deep understanding of the project development process in the extractive industry, as well as the challenges and opportunities associated with it. It also covers evolving technology and its impact on the extractive industry.
See salaries and explore the career path for Project Manager
Business Analyst
Business Analysts study business processes and make recommendations for improvements. They work for a variety of organizations, including consulting firms, corporations, and government agencies. This course provides a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities associated with economic linkages to the extractive sector, as well as investing in sustainable development and looking beyond extractives. It also covers resource-for-infrastructure deals.
See salaries and explore the career path for Business Analyst
Community Outreach Specialist
Community Outreach Specialists work to build relationships between organizations and the communities they serve. They work for a variety of organizations, including non-profit organizations, government agencies, and businesses. This course provides a deep understanding of the social impact and engagement in the extractive industry, including human rights and the mining industry, mining and vulnerable populations, and company-community agreements. It also covers artisanal mining and the challenges and opportunities associated with it.
See salaries and explore the career path for Community Outreach Specialist

Reading list

We've selected nine 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 Natural Resources for Sustainable Development.
Cover image
Modern Architecture and Climate
Save
An authoritative and comprehensive history of the global oil industry, from its humble beginnings to its dominant role in world affairs.
Modern Architecture and Climate: Design before Air...
Paperback
$$
Modern Architecture and Climate: Design before Air...
Kindle Edition
$$
Cover image
Transparent Governance in an Age of Abundance
Save
An exploration of the paradox of plenty, in which countries rich in natural resources often suffer from economic and political problems.
Transparent Governance in an Age of Abundance
Paperback
Check
Transparent Governance in an Age of Abundance
Kindle Edition
Check
Cover image
Sustainable Business
Save
A comprehensive textbook on sustainable development, covering its history, principles, and practical applications.
Sustainable Business: Key Issues (Key Issues in...
Paperback
$$$
Cover image
Economic Change Governance and Natural Resource...
Save
A comprehensive textbook on the relationship between natural resources and sustainable development, with a focus on the challenges and opportunities.
Economic Change Governance and Natural Resource...
Kindle Edition
$$
Cover image
Sustainable Resource Development in the 21st Century
Save
A practical guide to managing extractive industries for poverty reduction, with a focus on the role of governments, companies, and civil society.
Sustainable Resource Development in the 21st...
Kindle Edition
$$$$
Cover image
Environmental Impacts of Mining Activities
Save
A technical reference guide to the environmental impacts of mining, with a focus on mitigation and management strategies.
Environmental Impacts of Mining Activities:...
Paperback
$$$
Environmental Impacts of Mining Activities:...
Paperback
$$$
Environmental Impacts of Mining Activities:...
Kindle Edition
$$$
Cover image
Nature and Wealth
Save
A comprehensive analysis of the social and environmental impacts of mining, with a focus on policy and management recommendations.
Nature and Wealth: Overcoming Environmental...
Paperback
$$$
Nature and Wealth: Overcoming Environmental...
Kindle Edition
$$
Cover image
Miner With a Heart of Gold
Save
A sociological analysis of the relationship between mining and society, with a focus on the social and cultural impacts of mining.
Miner With a Heart of Gold: Biography of a Mineral...
Paperback
$$
Miner With a Heart of Gold: Biography of a Mineral...
Kindle Edition
$
Cover image
International Research on Natural Resource...
Save
A comprehensive technical reference guide to natural resource management, covering a wide range of topics from geology to economics to public policy.
International Research on Natural Resource...
Hardcover
$$$

Share

Help others find this course page by sharing it with your friends and followers:
Facebook
LinkedIn
Reddit
X
Link
Email

Similar courses

Here are nine courses similar to Natural Resources for Sustainable Development.
Global Health: An Interdisciplinary Overview
Most relevant
Stanford Introduction to Food and Health
Most relevant
Dairy Production and Management
Most relevant
Journey Conversations: Weaving Knowledge and Action
Most relevant
Business Models for Innovative Care for Older People
Most relevant
Co-Production in Adaptive Environmental Management
Most relevant
Sustainable Business Enterprises
Most relevant
Management of Fashion and Luxury Companies
Most relevant
Sustainability through Soccer: Systems-Thinking in Action
Most relevant

edX Buyer Protection & Guarantee

Verified partner policies & purchase protections

World-Class University Partner
Free Trial & Audit

Free Audit Track Available

Free audit track available for most courses, giving open access to video lectures, course readings, and assignments at no charge.

Return & Refund Policy

14-Day Full Refund Window

14-day full refund available up to 14 days after course start or 14 days after payment (whichever comes second, up to 6 months max), provided verified certificate has not yet been earned.

Buyer Protections

Verified Academic & Industry Partner

University-backed credentials authored by elite institutions like Harvard, MIT, and Oxford, with tamper-proof certificate verification.

Key Purchase Protections
Free audit track for open learning access
14-day money-back guarantee on verified certificates
Prestigious university credentials (Harvard, MIT)
Automatic unenrollment refund process via dashboard
OpenCourser Verified Partner Policy details last reviewed: 2026-10-22
Course image
Rating
4.5 Filled star Filled star Filled star Filled star Half star
Effort
4 to 6 hours per week for 12 weeks
Level
Intermediate
Via
edX
Institution
SDG Academy
Instructors
Lisa Sachs
Patrick Heller
NR Faculty
Language
English
Transcripts
English Español Français العربية Pусский
Traffic lights
Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Teaches about efforts to sustainably manage extractive industry investments
Develops critical understanding of key topics such as governance, policy, and environmental issues
Instructors are experts in natural resource governance
Suitable for various audiences including sustainability practitioners, extractive practitioners, researchers, and climate change activists
Offers a historical context of the extractives industry and its evolution
Examines the political, economic, and social impacts of natural resource extraction
Share this
Share to help others discover this course.
Facebook LinkedIn X Reddit Link Email
Begin learning today
Enroll now to gain full access to Natural Resources for Sustainable Development.
Enroll now
Save for later
Add this course to your list. Find it anytime.
Save
Our mission

OpenCourser helps millions of learners each year. People visit us to learn workspace skills, ace their exams, and nurture their curiosity.

Our extensive catalog contains over 50,000 courses and twice as many books. Browse by search, by topic, or even by career interests. We'll match you to the right resources quickly.

Find this site helpful? Tell a friend about us.

Affiliate disclosure

We're supported by our community of learners. When you purchase or subscribe to courses and programs or purchase books, we may earn a commission from our partners.

Your purchases help us maintain our catalog and keep our servers humming without ads.

Thank you for supporting OpenCourser.

© 2016 - 2025 OpenCourser