Global Energy and Climate Policy

Ends soon! Save on skills that make you shine with 40% off 3 months of Coursera Plus. Save now

Global Energy and Climate Policy

Dr Dan Plesch, SOAS University of London

Instructors: Harald Heubaum

39,515 already enrolled

Included with

Learn more

6 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

730 reviews

Beginner level

No prior experience required

Flexible schedule

2 weeks at 10 hours a week

Learn at your own pace

97%

Most learners liked this course

6 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

730 reviews

Beginner level

No prior experience required

Flexible schedule

2 weeks at 10 hours a week

Learn at your own pace

97%

Most learners liked this course

Skills you'll gain

Details to know

Shareable certificate

Add to your LinkedIn profile

Taught in English

91% of learners achieved a positive career outcome

See how employees at top companies are mastering in-demand skills

Learn more about Coursera for Business

logos of Petrobras, TATA, Danone, Capgemini, P&G and L'Oreal

There are 6 modules in this course

The Global Energy and Climate Policy course offers an introduction to the theoretical and practical understanding of how energy and climate change policies are designed, shaped, advocated and implemented. As energy markets go truly global, domestic energy policies are becoming more and more entangled with wider issues of international governance. Concurrently, the urgent need to mitigate and adapt to climate change and transition to a low-carbon future is adding a further layer of complexity.

The course is aimed broadly at people interested in learning more about interconnected issues in energy and climate policy globally. It assumes a level of interest but no necessary previous knowledge. However, the course also offers sufficient up to date research and new critical perspectives to be of interest to people with expertise in or academic familiarity with the topic as well. The main aim of the course is to provide this wide-ranging introduction in a self-contained, but in-depth form, alongside the important practical skills necessary to understand and discuss energy and climate policy, and lay the groundwork for greater engagement in the future – either through academic study, in the public, private or not-for-profit sectors.

This week introduces the concept of a carbon-constrained world, considering how it links to energy policies and the future of fossil fuels. It will also discuss the role of technologies such as carbon capture and storage (CCS) and how different stakeholders, in developed and developing countries, perceive the need to decarbonize energy systems.

What's included

6 videos3 readings1 peer review1 discussion prompt

6 videosTotal 36 minutes

Welcome to the Global Energy and Climate Policy MOOC5 minutes
Introduction - Addressing the climate crisis5 minutes
Week 1 Introduction3 minutes
The future use of fossil fuels8 minutes
Solutions for excess carbon production10 minutes
The developing world6 minutes

3 readingsTotal 50 minutes

Read Me First10 minutes
Course Outline10 minutes
Week 1 - Readings30 minutes

1 peer reviewTotal 120 minutes

Week 1 Assessment120 minutes

1 discussion promptTotal 10 minutes

The use of fossil fuels in a carbon constrained world.10 minutes

This week introduces the competing cases on economic, environmental and political aspects of nuclear power as part of the global energy mix and its role in meeting both energy security and climate change mitigation needs.

What's included

3 videos1 reading1 peer review1 discussion prompt

This week discusses the growing role of renewable energy sources such as wind and solar. It introduces the range of fiscal and other policy tools that governments’ use to promote an increase in the production and consumption of renewable energy.

What's included

3 videos1 reading1 peer review

This week addresses how energy and climate governance are becoming more inter-related. Climate change is a global collective action problem whereas energy is more often associated with state based priorities. However, emissions from fossil fuel energy have global impacts and pose a challenge to the international community at-large.

What's included

2 videos1 reading1 peer review

This week provides an introduction to the various conceptualisations of energy security and considers the implications these can have on energy and climate change strategies.

What's included

3 videos1 reading1 peer review

For the week 6 optional exercise, you may draw upon your learning from previous weeks to understand how climate change is changing the focus of energy policy. Specifically, you are asked to consider this in light of the 2015 Paris Agreement on climate change.

What's included

4 videos1 reading1 peer review

Instructors

Instructor ratings

(270 ratings)

Harald Heubaum

University of London

1 Course39,515 learners

Dr Dan Plesch, SOAS University of London

University of London

4 Courses736,293 learners

Offered by

University of London

SOAS University of London

Explore more from Governance and Society

Council on Foreign Relations
Climate Change and Global Affairs
Specialization
Council on Foreign Relations
Climate Change: Policy Obstacles and Opportunities
Course
Council on Foreign Relations
Climate Change: The Basics
Course
Council on Foreign Relations
Climate Change: Mitigation and Adaptation
Course

Why people choose Coursera for their career

Felipe M.

Learner since 2018

"To be able to take courses at my own pace and rhythm has been an amazing experience. I can learn whenever it fits my schedule and mood."

Jennifer J.

Learner since 2020

"I directly applied the concepts and skills I learned from my courses to an exciting new project at work."

Larry W.

Learner since 2021

"When I need courses on topics that my university doesn't offer, Coursera is one of the best places to go."

Chaitanya A.

"Learning isn't just about being better at your job: it's so much more than that. Coursera allows me to learn without limits."

Learner reviews

5 stars
76.16%
4 stars
17.39%
3 stars
3.97%
2 stars
1.23%
1 star
1.23%

Showing 3 of 730

Reviewed on Jan 24, 2018

Very interesting course. I'd recommend to update the reading material more frequently in view of continuous developments relating to climate change.

Reviewed on Mar 11, 2021

The weekly sessions were very informatiive and provided a well-balanced assessments of all the issues facing our planet with regards to energy, security and climate change.

Reviewed on Nov 4, 2020

This course is truly helpful for those who would like to learn more about energy and climate policy. I appreciate how the modules and topics were presented in a form of various interview.

View more reviews

Frequently asked questions

To access the course materials, assignments and to earn a Certificate, you will need to purchase the Certificate experience when you enroll in a course. You can try a Free Trial instead, or apply for Financial Aid. The course may offer 'Full Course, No Certificate' instead. This option lets you see all course materials, submit required assessments, and get a final grade. This also means that you will not be able to purchase a Certificate experience.

When you purchase a Certificate you get access to all course materials, including graded assignments. Upon completing the course, your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile.

Yes. In select learning programs, you can apply for financial aid or a scholarship if you can’t afford the enrollment fee. If fin aid or scholarship is available for your learning program selection, you’ll find a link to apply on the description page.