We may earn an affiliate commission when you visit our partners.
Simon W. Moolenaar,
Isabel C Barrio,
Joris De Vente,
Rob van Tulder,
Berglind Orradóttir,
Steve Kennedy,
and
Thorunn Petursdottir
Land degradation is a widespread problem across the globe with serious consequences for the environment and all of society. Worsening land degradation caused by human activities is undermining the well-being of two-fifths of humanity, driving species extinctions and intensifying climate change. But there’s a huge potential for restoring landscapes: around two billion hectares of land, about two times the size of China, can be restored.
Read more
Land degradation is a widespread problem across the globe with serious consequences for the environment and all of society. Worsening land degradation caused by human activities is undermining the well-being of two-fifths of humanity, driving species extinctions and intensifying climate change. But there’s a huge potential for restoring landscapes: around two billion hectares of land, about two times the size of China, can be restored.
Read more
Land degradation is a widespread problem across the globe with serious consequences for the environment and all of society. Worsening land degradation caused by human activities is undermining the well-being of two-fifths of humanity, driving species extinctions and intensifying climate change. But there’s a huge potential for restoring landscapes: around two billion hectares of land, about two times the size of China, can be restored.
In this MOOC we focus on the potential of business model innovation for the challenge of large-scale landscape restoration. We take a partnership approach and make a bridge between ecology and economy. Learners get to design their own innovative business model for landscape restoration with 4 returns: return of natural capital, return of social capital, return of inspiration and return of financial capital. You move from ideation towards successful implementation. Each step is illustrated with three real-life cases of landscape restoration in Spain, Iceland and Portugal.
We highlight the following elements over a period of 8 weeks:
1. Vision Formulation
2. Systems Analysis
3. Stakeholder Analysis
4. Opportunity Analysis
5. Business Model Design
6. Solution Validation
7. Assessment & Monitoring
8. Reflection & Iteration
This MOOC provides you with a meaningful opportunity to start contributing to the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration (https://www.decadeonrestoration.org/ ), which aims to prevent, halt and reverse the degradation of ecosystems on every continent and in every ocean. Your participation is more relevant now than ever!
This MOOC builds on the MOOC "A Business Approach to Sustainable Landscape Restoration" but can also be followed as a stand-alone. In the first MOOC you get comprehensive knowledge of landscape degradation and landscape restoration from both the perspective of natural science and from an economics and management perspective. (https://www.coursera.org/learn/landscape-restoration-sustainable-development/home/welcome )
These MOOCs are designed by ENABLE, a consortium of: Erasmus University Rotterdam, Commonland, United Nations University Land Restoration Training Programme, Spanish National Research Council (CSIC-CEBAS), and Nova School of Business & Economics. ENABLE was co-funded by the Erasmus+-programme of the European Union.
Register for this course and see more details by visiting:
OpenCourser.com/course/rdjzpq/business
Two deals to help you save
Save money when you learn. Here are two deals and offers that may be relevant to this course.
All coupon codes, vouchers, and discounts are applied automatically unless otherwise noted.
Valid until July 14
Coursera Plus Annual
Work toward what's next for your career with access to 10,000+ programs. Discover emerging skills and save.
Up to
40%
off
Get offer
Valid until August 30
Google AI App Builder
Learn how to use Gemini API and API Studio with a three-course series from Google DeepMind
Take
100%
off
Get offer
What's inside
Syllabus
Vision Formulation
Welcome to this 8-week course on ‘Business model innovation for sustainable landscape restoration’! Your teachers will introduce you to the process of business model innovation, the concept of landscape restoration and to 3 real-life cases of landscape restoration projects. For each step of the innovation process, we zoom in on those landscapes to show you how the theory looks in practice. By doing this, you will apply the “4 returns” thinking (returns of inspiration, natural capital, social capital and financial capital). Week 1 introduces you to the problem of landscape degradation and the process of landscape restoration. You will also learn about the role of business models in landscape restoration and how important visions are for sustainable business model innovation. We will introduce you to our 3 practical example cases of landscape restoration. Each of these cases has encountered different problems related to landscape degradation and formulated innovative solutions by using the approach set out in this MOOC: the power of sustainable business models to successfully restore natural environments. You will choose a land degradation challenge and formulate a vision and key question.
Read more
Syllabus
Vision Formulation
Welcome to this 8-week course on ‘Business model innovation for sustainable landscape restoration’! Your teachers will introduce you to the process of business model innovation, the concept of landscape restoration and to 3 real-life cases of landscape restoration projects. For each step of the innovation process, we zoom in on those landscapes to show you how the theory looks in practice. By doing this, you will apply the “4 returns” thinking (returns of inspiration, natural capital, social capital and financial capital). Week 1 introduces you to the problem of landscape degradation and the process of landscape restoration. You will also learn about the role of business models in landscape restoration and how important visions are for sustainable business model innovation. We will introduce you to our 3 practical example cases of landscape restoration. Each of these cases has encountered different problems related to landscape degradation and formulated innovative solutions by using the approach set out in this MOOC: the power of sustainable business models to successfully restore natural environments. You will choose a land degradation challenge and formulate a vision and key question.
Read more
Traffic lights
Traffic lights
Read about what's good
what should give you pause and
possible dealbreakers
Teaches learners the theoretical and practical components of landscape restoration
Strengthens foundation knowledge of ecology, economics, and management of landscape restoration
Develops learners' abilities to formulate visions, analyze systems, engage stakeholders, and conduct business model design
Taught by instructors who are recognized for their expertise in landscape restoration, ecology, economics, and business management
Connects learners to a community of practitioners working in landscape restoration
Provides learners with tools and resources to apply the concepts of sustainable business model innovation to their own projects
Save this course
Create your own learning path.
Save this course to your list so you can find it easily later.
Save
Save
Reviews summary
Business models for landscape restoration
According to learners, this course provides a positive and inspiring dive into applying innovative business models, particularly the '4 returns' framework, for sustainable landscape restoration. Students appreciate the well-structured approach, guiding them through the process step-by-step, from vision to implementation. The inclusion of real-life case studies from Spain, Iceland, and Portugal is frequently highlighted as a major strength, providing practical context to the theoretical concepts. While some find the concepts challenging and requiring significant engagement, the overall consensus is that the course offers valuable tools and insights applicable to real-world environmental and business challenges.
Provides relevant, actionable insights.
"The course content is highly relevant to current environmental and sustainability challenges."
"I feel inspired to apply the knowledge gained to real-world landscape restoration projects."
"The course provides practical tools and strategies that I could apply immediately to my work."
"It changed the way I think about the potential for business in environmental restoration."
Clear guidance through innovation stages.
"The course provides a very logical and step-by-step guide through the business model innovation process for landscape restoration."
"I found the structure of the 8 weeks to be very helpful in building my understanding gradually."
"The course effectively breaks down a complex topic into manageable modules."
"Working through the different phases of vision, analysis, design, and implementation was very systematic."
Cases illustrate concepts effectively.
"The real-life case studies from Spain, Iceland, and Portugal were incredibly insightful and helped ground the theory."
"Following the progress of the three cases throughout the course made the concepts much clearer and applicable."
"I appreciated seeing how the different steps of the business model innovation process are applied in actual projects."
"The cases provided excellent examples of the '4 returns' in practice."
Unique framework offers a holistic view.
"The framework of the 4 returns is highly valuable and gives a very complete perspective on restoration projects."
"The concept of '4 returns' (natural, social, financial, inspiration) is innovative and very relevant for sustainability projects."
"I learned a new way of thinking about landscape restoration projects using the 4 returns framework."
"This approach helps to see the broader impact beyond just financial results."
Demanding coursework for deep learning.
"This course requires dedication and active engagement with the material and assignments."
"The concepts can be challenging, and you need to be prepared to invest time to fully grasp them."
"It's not a passive course; the exercises push you to apply what you learn."
"While rewarding, be aware this course has a substantial workload."
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 Business Model Innovation for Sustainable Landscape Restoration with these
activities:
Review Principles of Ecology and Ecosystem Restoration
Show steps
Sharpen your understanding of the ecological principles that underpin landscape restoration.
Browse courses on
Ecology
Show steps
-
Review key concepts in ecology.
-
Explore different strategies for ecosystem restoration.
Practice Systems Thinking and Analysis
Show steps
Strengthen your systems thinking and analysis skills, which are essential for understanding and addressing complex landscape degradation challenges.
Browse courses on
Systems Thinking
Show steps
-
Identify a real-world problem that you are interested in.
-
Map out the system that is related to the problem.
-
Identify the key stakeholders and their roles in the system.
-
Analyze the system to identify leverage points for change.
Participate in a Discussion Forum on Landscape Restoration
Show steps
Engage with your peers and share your knowledge and experiences in landscape restoration through online discussion forums.
Browse courses on
Landscape Restoration
Show steps
-
Find a discussion forum or online community focused on landscape restoration.
-
Join the forum and participate in discussions.
-
Share your own insights and experiences on landscape restoration.
Five other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all eight activities
Follow Tutorials on Landscape Restoration Techniques
Show steps
Expand your knowledge and skills in landscape restoration by following online tutorials and resources.
Browse courses on
Landscape Restoration
Show steps
-
Search for tutorials on landscape restoration techniques.
-
Watch or read the tutorials to learn about different methods and best practices.
Design a Business Model for a Landscape Restoration Project
Show steps
Apply the concepts learned in Module 5 to design a business model for a landscape restoration project.
Browse courses on
Business Model Canvas
Show steps
-
Identify a specific landscape degradation challenge to focus on.
-
Conduct a stakeholder analysis to identify key stakeholders and their interests.
-
Develop a value proposition for your business model.
-
Create a business model canvas for your business model.
-
Test your business model by interviewing potential customers or stakeholders.
Develop a Business Plan for a Landscape Restoration Project
Show steps
Challenge yourself by developing a comprehensive business plan for a landscape restoration project, incorporating the concepts learned throughout the course.
Browse courses on
Business Plan
Show steps
-
Define the goals and objectives of your landscape restoration project.
-
Conduct a market analysis to identify your target market and competition.
-
Develop a marketing and sales strategy to reach your target market.
-
Create a financial plan to outline the costs and revenue projections for your project.
-
Develop an implementation plan to outline the steps needed to implement your project.
Review Business Model Generation
Show steps
Increase your knowledge about business models and value proposition design, a key topic discussed in Module 5.
View
The Invincible Company: How to Constantly...
on Amazon
Show steps
-
Read chapters 1-3 of the book.
-
Create a business model canvas for your own business or a business you are familiar with.
Write a Blog Post About a Landscape Restoration Project
Show steps
Share your knowledge and promote awareness about landscape restoration by writing a blog post about a specific project.
Browse courses on
Landscape Restoration
Show steps
-
Choose a landscape restoration project that you are interested in.
-
Research the project and gather information about its goals, methods, and outcomes.
-
Write a blog post about the project, highlighting its importance and the benefits of landscape restoration.
Review Principles of Ecology and Ecosystem Restoration
Show steps
Sharpen your understanding of the ecological principles that underpin landscape restoration.
Browse courses on
Ecology
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Review key concepts in ecology.
- Explore different strategies for ecosystem restoration.
Practice Systems Thinking and Analysis
Show steps
Strengthen your systems thinking and analysis skills, which are essential for understanding and addressing complex landscape degradation challenges.
Browse courses on
Systems Thinking
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Identify a real-world problem that you are interested in.
- Map out the system that is related to the problem.
- Identify the key stakeholders and their roles in the system.
- Analyze the system to identify leverage points for change.
Participate in a Discussion Forum on Landscape Restoration
Show steps
Engage with your peers and share your knowledge and experiences in landscape restoration through online discussion forums.
Browse courses on
Landscape Restoration
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Find a discussion forum or online community focused on landscape restoration.
- Join the forum and participate in discussions.
- Share your own insights and experiences on landscape restoration.
Five other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all eight activities
Follow Tutorials on Landscape Restoration Techniques
Show steps
Expand your knowledge and skills in landscape restoration by following online tutorials and resources.
Browse courses on
Landscape Restoration
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Search for tutorials on landscape restoration techniques.
- Watch or read the tutorials to learn about different methods and best practices.
Design a Business Model for a Landscape Restoration Project
Show steps
Apply the concepts learned in Module 5 to design a business model for a landscape restoration project.
Browse courses on
Business Model Canvas
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Identify a specific landscape degradation challenge to focus on.
- Conduct a stakeholder analysis to identify key stakeholders and their interests.
- Develop a value proposition for your business model.
- Create a business model canvas for your business model.
- Test your business model by interviewing potential customers or stakeholders.
Develop a Business Plan for a Landscape Restoration Project
Show steps
Challenge yourself by developing a comprehensive business plan for a landscape restoration project, incorporating the concepts learned throughout the course.
Browse courses on
Business Plan
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Define the goals and objectives of your landscape restoration project.
- Conduct a market analysis to identify your target market and competition.
- Develop a marketing and sales strategy to reach your target market.
- Create a financial plan to outline the costs and revenue projections for your project.
- Develop an implementation plan to outline the steps needed to implement your project.
Review Business Model Generation
Show steps
Increase your knowledge about business models and value proposition design, a key topic discussed in Module 5.
View
The Invincible Company: How to Constantly...
on Amazon
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Read chapters 1-3 of the book.
- Create a business model canvas for your own business or a business you are familiar with.
Write a Blog Post About a Landscape Restoration Project
Show steps
Share your knowledge and promote awareness about landscape restoration by writing a blog post about a specific project.
Browse courses on
Landscape Restoration
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Choose a landscape restoration project that you are interested in.
- Research the project and gather information about its goals, methods, and outcomes.
- Write a blog post about the project, highlighting its importance and the benefits of landscape restoration.
Career center
Learners who complete Business Model Innovation for Sustainable Landscape Restoration will develop knowledge and skills
that may be useful to these careers:
Land Restoration Specialist
Land Restoration Specialist
A Land Restoration Specialist restores degraded land to its natural state. This course may be useful in providing knowledge of business models for sustainable landscape restoration, as well as helping to build a foundation in land restoration.
Agroforestry Specialist
Agroforestry Specialist
An Agroforestry Specialist combines agriculture and forestry to create sustainable land-use systems. This course may be useful in providing knowledge of business models for sustainable landscape restoration, as well as helping to build a foundation in agroforestry.
Environmental Engineer
Environmental Engineer
An Environmental Engineer designs and implements solutions to environmental problems. This course may be useful in helping to build a foundation in environmental engineering, as well as providing knowledge of business models for sustainable landscape restoration.
Environmental Scientist
Environmental Scientist
An Environmental Scientist studies the environment and develops solutions to environmental problems. This course may be useful in helping to build a foundation in environmental science, as well as providing knowledge of business models for sustainable landscape restoration.
Landscape Architect
Landscape Architect
A Landscape Architect designs and plans outdoor spaces. This course may be useful in providing knowledge of business models for sustainable landscape restoration, as well as helping to build a foundation in landscape architecture.
Conservation Scientist
Conservation Scientist
A Conservation Scientist studies and protects natural resources. This course may be useful in helping to build a foundation in conservation science, as well as providing knowledge of business models for sustainable landscape restoration.
Ecologist
Ecologist
An Ecologist studies the relationships between organisms and their environment. This course may be useful in helping to build a foundation in ecology, as well as providing knowledge of business models for sustainable landscape restoration.
Environmental Economist
Environmental Economist
An Environmental Economist applies economic principles to environmental issues. This course may be useful in providing knowledge of business models for sustainable landscape restoration, as well as helping to build a foundation in environmental economics.
Sustainability Consultant
Sustainability Consultant
A Sustainability Consultant helps organizations to develop and implement sustainable practices. This course may be useful in providing knowledge of business models for sustainable landscape restoration, as well as helping to build a foundation in sustainability.
GIS Specialist
GIS Specialist
A GIS Specialist uses geographic information systems to analyze and visualize spatial data. This course may be useful in providing knowledge of business models for sustainable landscape restoration, as well as helping to build a foundation in GIS.
Project Manager
Project Manager
A Project Manager plans and executes projects. This course may be useful in providing knowledge of business models for sustainable landscape restoration, as well as helping to build a foundation in project management.
Business Analyst
Business Analyst
A Business Analyst analyzes business needs and develops solutions. This course may be useful in providing knowledge of business models for sustainable landscape restoration, as well as helping to build a foundation in business analysis.
Financial Analyst
Financial Analyst
A Financial Analyst analyzes financial data and makes recommendations. This course may be useful in providing knowledge of business models for sustainable landscape restoration, as well as helping to build a foundation in financial analysis.
Investment Analyst
Investment Analyst
An Investment Analyst analyzes investment opportunities and makes recommendations. This course may be useful in providing knowledge of business models for sustainable landscape restoration, as well as helping to build a foundation in investment analysis.
Data Scientist
Data Scientist
A Data Scientist analyzes data and develops solutions. This course may be useful in providing knowledge of business models for sustainable landscape restoration, as well as helping to build a foundation in data science.
For more career information including salaries, visit:
OpenCourser.com/course/rdjzpq/business
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
Business Model Innovation for Sustainable Landscape Restoration.
Provides a comprehensive overview of the principles and practices of landscape ecology, which is essential for understanding the ecological processes that shape landscapes. It offers insights into how to design and implement landscape restoration projects that are ecologically sustainable.
Provides a comprehensive overview of the ecological principles that underpin sustainable landscape restoration. It offers insights into how to design and implement restoration projects that are ecologically sound and contribute to sustainable development.
This journal publishes high-quality research on sustainable development and world ecology. It offers insights into the latest research and developments in the field and valuable resource for anyone interested in landscape restoration.
This journal publishes high-quality research on ecological applications, including landscape restoration. It offers insights into the latest research and developments in the field and valuable resource for anyone interested in landscape restoration.
Offers a comprehensive overview of regenerative design principles and practices, which are essential for creating sustainable and resilient landscapes. It provides guidance on how to design and implement regenerative systems in a variety of contexts.
Provides a practical framework for business model innovation, which is essential for creating sustainable landscape restoration businesses. It offers a step-by-step guide to developing and evaluating new business models.
For more information about how these books relate to this course, visit:
OpenCourser.com/course/rdjzpq/business
Share
Similar courses
Similar courses are unavailable at this time. Please try again later.
Effort
8 weeks of study, 4 to 8 hours per week
Level
Introductory
Via
Coursera
Institution
Erasmus University Rotterdam
Instructors
Simon W. Moolenaar
Isabel C Barrio
Joris De Vente
Rob van Tulder
Berglind Orradóttir
Steve Kennedy
Thorunn Petursdottir
Language
English
Transcripts
Español
Français
Português
Deutsch
Italiano
中文
العربية
한국어
日本語
हिंदी
Nederlands
Svenska
Pусский
Türkçe
Polski
Ελληνικά
українська мова
Bahasa Indonesia
ไทย
қазақша
tiếng Việt
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