Sustainability in Action: Strategy to Practices for Greener Future from edX

This course provides comprehensive insights into sustainability concepts and strategies, equipping participants with the knowledge to address environmental challenges across organizations, institutions, and communities. It focuses on practical applications of sustainability principles essential for creating meaningful impact.

Focus on Sustainable Development and ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) principles, and how they influence decision-making and strategic planning

Explore global climate agreements and their role in shaping policies and organizational responses to climate change

Examine the critical role of energy systems, particularly the transition to renewable energy, and its impact on sustainability

Study the circular economy with emphasis on waste reduction, resource efficiency, and sustainable production

Cover sustainable food systems, highlighting innovative agricultural practices that balance environmental stewardship and food security

Equip participants with tools and knowledge to implement effective sustainability practices across sectors

This course empowers participants to lead sustainability initiatives, contributing to a more resilient and environmentally conscious future.

What's inside

Learning objectives

Analyze the impact of climate risks on organizations
Develop strategies for sustainable energy and resource use

Apply life cycle assessments to evaluate environmental impacts
Implement esg principles in decision-making across sectors

Analyze the impact of climate risks on organizations
Develop strategies for sustainable energy and resource use
Apply life cycle assessments to evaluate environmental impacts
Implement esg principles in decision-making across sectors

Syllabus

Week 1: Introduction to Sustainability and ESG

Week 2: International Climate Agreements

Week 3: Energy Mix and Sustainability

Week 4: Food Systems and Agroecology

Week 5: Circular Economy

Week 6: Circular Design

Week 7: Life Cycle Assessment (LCA)

Week 8: Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD)

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Provides insights into sustainability concepts and strategies, equipping participants with the knowledge to address environmental challenges across organizations, institutions, and communities

Focuses on practical applications of sustainability principles, which is essential for creating meaningful impact in various sectors and industries

Examines the critical role of energy systems and the transition to renewable energy, which is a key aspect of sustainability and environmental stewardship

Studies the circular economy with emphasis on waste reduction, resource efficiency, and sustainable production, which are vital for environmental sustainability

Covers sustainable food systems, highlighting innovative agricultural practices that balance environmental stewardship and food security, which are crucial for long-term sustainability

Explores global climate agreements and their role in shaping policies and organizational responses to climate change, which is essential for understanding international efforts

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 Sustainability in Action: Strategy to Practices for Greener Future with these activities:

Review Basic Environmental Science Concepts

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Reinforce foundational knowledge of environmental science to better understand the complexities of sustainability.

Browse courses on Environmental Science

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Review key concepts like ecosystems, biodiversity, and pollution.
Summarize the major environmental challenges facing the planet.
Identify the main causes and effects of climate change.

Calculate Your Carbon Footprint

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Assess personal environmental impact to connect abstract concepts to daily life and promote sustainable choices.

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Use an online carbon footprint calculator.
Analyze the results and identify areas for improvement.
Develop a plan to reduce your carbon footprint.

Review 'Cradle to Cradle: Remaking the Way We Make Things'

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Explore cradle-to-cradle design principles to deepen understanding of circular economy concepts.

View Cradle to Cradle: Remaking the Way We Make... on Amazon

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Read the book 'Cradle to Cradle: Remaking the Way We Make Things'.
Identify examples of cradle-to-cradle design in practice.
Discuss the challenges and opportunities of implementing cradle-to-cradle design.

Four other activities

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Review 'The Sixth Extinction: An Unnatural History'

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Understand the impact of human activity on biodiversity and ecosystems to appreciate the urgency of sustainability.

View The Sixth Extinction (Tenth Anniversary Edition) on Amazon

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Read the book 'The Sixth Extinction: An Unnatural History'.
Identify the key drivers of the current extinction event.
Discuss the implications of biodiversity loss for sustainability.

Create a Presentation on Renewable Energy Sources

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Research and present on renewable energy to solidify understanding of sustainable energy solutions.

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Research different types of renewable energy sources.
Create a presentation outlining the benefits and challenges of each source.
Present your findings to a group or online forum.

Develop a Sustainable Business Plan

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Apply sustainability principles to create a business plan that integrates environmental and social considerations.

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Identify a business idea that addresses a sustainability challenge.
Develop a business plan that incorporates ESG principles.
Present your business plan to a panel of judges or investors.

Volunteer at a Local Environmental Organization

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Gain practical experience in sustainability by volunteering with an organization focused on environmental issues.

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Research local environmental organizations.
Contact an organization and inquire about volunteer opportunities.
Participate in volunteer activities and reflect on your experience.

Career center

Learners who complete Sustainability in Action: Strategy to Practices for Greener Future will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

ESG Analyst

An ESG Analyst assesses a company's performance against environmental, social, and governance criteria to inform investment decisions and strategic planning. This role requires a strong understanding of sustainability principles and their application within a business context. This course is directly relevant, covering ESG principles, international climate agreements, and their influence on decision-making. The course helps build knowledge of circular economy principles, the transition to renewable energy, and life cycle assessment; these are critical to effectively evaluating a company’s ESG performance. A course that covers the Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures is particularly useful to an ESG Analyst.

See salaries and explore the career path for ESG Analyst

Sustainability Manager

A Sustainability Manager leads the development and implementation of sustainability programs within an organization. This role is central to integrating environmental considerations into business practices. This course helps an aspiring sustainability manager understand the core concepts behind sustainability, international climate agreements, and the importance of environmental, social, and governance principles in modern business. The course's emphasis on life cycle assessment and energy transition will be extremely valuable in crafting and implementing effective sustainability initiatives. The tools to implement effective sustainability practices provided in the course are directly applicable to this role.

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Corporate Social Responsibility Manager

A Corporate Social Responsibility Manager oversees the implementation of a company’s social and environmental responsibility initiatives. This role aims to integrate sustainability into core business practices. This course will help a Corporate Social Responsibility Manager with its focus on ESG principles, providing an important framework for creating and managing a company's CSR strategy. The course's content on sustainable energy, along with life cycle assessment is useful to CSR initiatives focused on reducing environmental impact. In addition, this course will provide a comprehensive understanding of sustainability, which will help guide CSR initiatives towards more impactful results.

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Environmental Consultant

An Environmental Consultant assesses environmental impacts and advises organizations on sustainable practices. They often work with diverse clients, helping them navigate the complexities of environmental compliance and sustainability. This course helps build a foundation for advising clients on key aspects of sustainability, including understanding international climate agreements and the shift towards renewable energy. The curriculum's focus on the circular economy, sustainable food systems, and life cycle assessments will provide essential tools for this career path. The course's coverage of ESG principles is also valuable for consultants aiming to help businesses integrate sustainability into their operations.

See salaries and explore the career path for Environmental Consultant

Circular Economy Specialist

A Circular Economy Specialist develops and implements strategies to transition organizations from linear to circular business models, emphasizing waste reduction and resource efficiency. This role is essential for businesses looking to reduce their environmental impact. This course helps a circular economy specialist by giving an in-depth understanding of the circular economy. The focus on circular design and waste reduction within this course will allow learners to implement better strategies within their organizations. The course’s emphasis on resource efficiency and life cycle assessments further supports the work of a circular economy specialist. The course can help learners take on a more impactful position within this emerging field.

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Sustainable Agriculture Specialist

A Sustainable Agriculture Specialist promotes and implements environmentally friendly farming practices that ensure food security and ecological health. This role is critical in addressing the impact of agriculture on the environment. This course is directly relevant to a sustainable agriculture specialist, helping learners explore sustainable food systems and innovative agricultural practices. The course’s coverage of agroecology is beneficial for the creation of sustainable farming methods, with the goal of balancing environmental stewardship and food security. This course also helps by providing a deep understanding of sustainability principles, which are important in implementing meaningful change.

See salaries and explore the career path for Sustainable Agriculture Specialist

Renewable Energy Specialist

A Renewable Energy Specialist focuses on developing, implementing, and managing renewable energy projects. This role is key to the global energy transition and requires a strong understanding of sustainable energy systems. This course helps a renewable energy specialist understand the broader context of sustainability and the global push for renewable energy, giving a helpful foundation in the field. The course’s deep dive into energy mix and sustainability, alongside the study of the circular economy and life cycle assessment, positions learners for success in this role. The course is useful for those looking to join this rapidly growing sector.

See salaries and explore the career path for Renewable Energy Specialist

Environmental Policy Analyst

An Environmental Policy Analyst researches, develops, and implements environmental policies at governmental or organizational levels. The role requires a strong grasp of sustainability concepts, climate agreements, and policy frameworks. This course will be particularly helpful to an environmental policy analyst, giving them comprehensive knowledge of international climate agreements, energy transition issues, and sustainable food systems. The course also covers the practical applications of sustainability principles, which is important for implementing effective, policy-based solutions. This course allows learners to develop the skills to influence environmental policies effectively.

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Waste Management Specialist

A Waste Management Specialist develops and implements effective waste reduction and recycling programs. This role is critical to addressing the environmental impact of waste. This course will be very helpful to a waste management specialist, offering a solid understanding of the circular economy and waste reduction, both of which are core to this field. The course's emphasis on resource efficiency and sustainable production, as well as its inclusion of a life cycle assessment will be particularly important to those in this role. A course like this can help professionals enhance their ability to bring about a more sustainable approach to waste management.

See salaries and explore the career path for Waste Management Specialist

Sustainability Reporting Specialist

A Sustainability Reporting Specialist is responsible for collecting, analyzing, and reporting on an organization's sustainability performance. They ensure compliance with various reporting standards and frameworks. This role requires a strong grasp of ESG principles and sustainability practices. This course will help a sustainability reporting specialist with its comprehensive coverage of ESG principles, sustainability strategies, and the Taskforce on Nature-Related Financial Disclosures. This course provides the knowledge necessary to effectively assess and report on an organization's environmental and social impact. The course will be useful in building the framework for the role's essential reporting functions.

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Sustainable Supply Chain Analyst

A Sustainable Supply Chain Analyst assesses and recommends improvements to the environmental and social impact of an organization's supply chain. This role requires an understanding of sustainability principles and supply chain management. This course may help a sustainable supply chain analyst by providing a solid understanding of the circular economy, waste reduction, and resource efficiency. The course’s focus on life cycle assessments will be very useful for evaluating environmental impact of various supply chain components. The course will help an analyst looking to integrate sustainability within an organization's supply chain.

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Environmental Educator

An Environmental Educator develops and delivers educational programs about environmental issues and sustainability to various audiences. This role requires a breadth of knowledge about environmental topics and an ability to communicate it effectively. This course may help an environmental educator, providing a comprehensive overview of sustainability concepts, international climate agreements, and practical sustainability applications. The knowledge gained from the course on energy transition, circular economy and sustainable food systems will equip the educator with a strong foundation for creating impactful educational content. A course like this is valuable in preparing effective teaching material.

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Community Sustainability Coordinator

A Community Sustainability Coordinator develops and implements sustainability initiatives within a local community. This role requires a broad understanding of sustainability practices and an ability to engage community members. This course may be useful to a community sustainability coordinator, as it covers the core concepts of sustainability, particularly its focus on implementing sustainability practices. The course’s focus on practical applications will be particularly valuable for those involved in community level projects, while its coverage of sustainable food systems and renewable energy can help to ensure a community’s growth in an environmentally conscious manner.

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Urban Planner

An Urban Planner develops plans and policies for the growth and development of urban areas, with a focus on sustainability and livability. This role requires a broad understanding of sustainability and urban development. This course may be helpful to an urban planner by providing a foundation in sustainability concepts including energy systems and the circular economy, which are important in creating sustainable urban environments. The course’s focus on international climate agreements can also be relevant to creating climate-resilient urban plans. A course like this may help an urban planner in their understanding of sustainability principles.

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Research Scientist

A Research Scientist conducts experiments and analyzes data in an academic or industrial setting. Typically, this role requires an advanced degree. A research scientist might be involved in many fields, including renewable energy, sustainable agriculture, or circular economy practices. This course may be useful depending on the focus of the research. The course provides an overview of sustainability principles and practices including international climate agreements, energy systems, and life cycle assessment. This course's broad overview of sustainability may be useful for those entering the field as a research scientist, but it is not specifically designed for this role.

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Reading list

We've selected two 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 Sustainability in Action: Strategy to Practices for Greener Future.

Cradle to cradle : remaking the way we make things

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Introduces the concept of cradle-to-cradle design, which is highly relevant to the circular economy and circular design topics covered in weeks 5 and 6. It provides a contrasting view to cradle-to-grave manufacturing. The book offers a framework for designing products and systems that are not only less harmful but also beneficial to the environment and human health. It is useful for understanding the principles of sustainable design and resource management.

Cradle to Cradle: Remaking the Way We Make Things

Paperback

(Deutsch) Cradle to Cradle: Einfach intelligent produzieren...

Kindle Edition

The Sixth Extinction (10th Anniversary Edition)

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Explores the concept of mass extinction events and argues that we are currently in the midst of a sixth extinction caused by human activity. It provides a broader context for understanding the urgency of sustainability efforts. It is useful for understanding the impact of human activities on biodiversity and ecosystems. This book adds depth to the course by highlighting the potential consequences of unsustainable practices.

The Sixth Extinction (Tenth Anniversary Edition)

Audible Audiobook

Sustainability in Action

Strategy to Practices for Greener Future

What's inside

Learning objectives

Syllabus

Good to know

Save this course

Activities

Career center

Reading list

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