onlincourse

Energy Transition and Sustainable Economies

Delve into the energy transition to understand how we can change the energy system to achieve sustainability with this online course from the Hanken School of Economics.

Duration

5 weeks

Weekly study

4 hours

100% online

How it works

Unlimited subscription

Learn more

Learn how to address environmental challenges

The world is facing unprecedented environmental challenges. To tackle them, we need an energy transition from fossil fuel-based energy production to renewable energy sources.

On this five-week course, you’ll learn what this energy transition looks like and how we can make it a reality.

You’ll discover how the energy transition, together with the circular economy, contributes to building a sustainable economy. Unpacking the challenges and opportunities of the transition, you’ll finish the course with an understanding of how changing our energy system supports climate change mitigation and adaptation.

Explore energy transition solutions such as decarbonisation

As you delve into the energy transition, you’ll unpack energy consumption across the world.

This will help you explore the increase in CO2 emissions and the types of solutions such as decarbonisation, renewable energy, and carbon capture.

Discover how we can change the energy system

You’ll explore the energy transition from the perspectives of the producer, consumer, and prosumer, and will get to know these roles in terms of ecological, social, and economic sustainability.

With this knowledge, you’ll uncover how we can change the energy system – from behavioural change in citizens to government action and the role of new technology.

Learn the basics of a circular economy from the Hanken School of Economics

Finally, you’ll delve into the fundamentals of a circular economy to understand its importance and relation to the energy transition.

You’ll finish by exploring a case study in the Vaasa region in Finland to discover the role of energy industries in the transition. With this expert insight, you’ll develop the knowledge of what makes a successful energy transition and a sustainable economy.

Week 1
The need for energy transition
- Introduction to the course
  Introduction to the course and the topics that will be covered, as well as practical information about taking the course.
- Lesson 1: Focus on climate change
  Learn about climate change: what it is and what causes is.
- Lesson 2: Climate change mitigation and adaption
  Learn about how we can mitigate and adapt to climate change.
- Lesson 3: Focus on biodiversity and nature
  Learn about biodiversity loss and the importance of preserving the natural environment.
- Wrap-up of Week 1
  A short recap of what you have learned during the week and a chance to quiz yourself on what you have learned during the week.
Week 2
Energy transition
- Introduction: Energy transition
  Introduction to the topic of Week 2: Energy transition.
- Lesson 1: Why are we in the present situation?
  Learn about how energy demand and CO2 emissions have historically developed.
- Lesson 2: A shift to renewable energy
  Learn about renewable energy sources.
- Lesson 3: Pathways for an energy transition
  Learn about emission reduction pathways and how to succeed in the energy transition.
- Wrap-up of Week 2
  A short recap of what you have learned during the week and a chance to quiz yourself on what you have learned during the week.
Week 3
Changing the energy system
- Introduction: Changing the energy system
  Introduction to the topic of Week 3: Changing the energy system.
- Lesson 1: Citizens in the energy transition
  Learn about how citizens can participate in the energy transition.
- Lesson 2: The role of governments in the energy transition
  Learn about what governments can do for the energy transition.
- Lesson 3: Technology and the new energy system
  Learn about the role of technology in changing the energy system.
- Wrap-up of Week 3
  A short recap of what you have learned during the week and a chance to quiz yourself on what you have learned during the week.
Week 4
Sustainable development
- Introduction: Sustainable development
  Introduction to the topic of Week 4: Sustainable development.
- Lesson 1: Limits to growth or sustainable growth?
  Learn about the compatibility of sustainability and economic growth.
- Lesson 2: The Sustainable Development Goals
  Learn about the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
- Lesson 3: Corporate social responsibility
  Learn about what companies can do for sustainable development.
- Wrap-up of Week 4
  A short recap of what you have learned during the week and a chance to quiz yourself on what you have learned during the week.
Week 5
Circular economy
- Introduction: Circular economy
  Introduction to the topic of Week 5: Circular economy.
- Lesson 1: Building a circular economy
  Learn about the circular economy: what it is and how it differs from a linear economy.
- Lesson 2: Case EnergyVaasa
  Learn about the EnergyVaasa energy cluster and how it works for the energy transition and sustainable development.
- Wrap-up of Week 5
  A short recap of what you have learned during the week and a chance to quiz yourself on what you have learned during the week.
- Course wrap-up
  Wrap-up of the course and a final reflection of what you have learned during the course.