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An Introduction to Climate Change and Carbon Reduction in the Built Environment

Understand how the built environment contributes to climate change and how sustainable buildings can lead to a low carbon future.

474 enrolled on this course

Inspector Engineer Man Holding Digital Tablet Working in Solar Panels Power Farm, Photovoltaic Cell Park, Green Energy Concept.
  • Duration

    4 weeks
  • Weekly study

    4 hours

Explore low carbon design in the built environment

The built environment currently contributes around 40% of annual CO2 emissions globally. Therefore, improving the sustainability of the built environment is imperative if we are to stay within a 1.5 degree world.

On this four-week course, you’ll be introduced to climate change and low carbon design in the built environment, and the different approaches to reduce carbon in buildings globally.

By the end, you’ll feel equipped to advocate for low carbon building design and delivery, and be able to apply your knowledge to your work, community, or home.

Unpack climate resilience and risks

You’ll start by exploring why carbon and other greenhouse gases play a central role in climate change, and how the built environment either exacerbates or mitigates this issue.

Next, you’ll delve into the key concepts relating to carbon and climate change such as net zero carbon buildings, energy performance, climate risks, and resilience.

Delve into sustainable buildings

You’ll unpack a variety of case studies investigating low carbon buildings. Armed with this knowledge, you’ll be able to implement best practices in your own work.

Next, you’ll receive guidance on how you can take action by investigating the unique role you play in reducing carbon in the built environment.

Learn from the experts at UK Green Building Council

Throughout the course, you’ll be guided by the experts at the UK Green Building Council. By the end, you’ll have the understanding of the key challenges to achieving sustainable buildings and net zero.

With this knowledge, you’ll be empowered to continue your learning journey as part of your new-found green building community.

Syllabus

  • Week 1

    Context

    • Hello and welcome written white lightbox sitting on blue background. Horizontal composition with copy space.

      Welcome to the course!

      Here we provide an introduction to the course, give an overview of what you can expect, and introduce you to your course educators.

    • Children holding a model planet outdoors

      The climate and carbon crisis

      In this section we will be exploring what the global climate change and carbon reduction imperative is.

    • Two male workers shake hands in front of the seaside solar power station

      Climate agreements and initiatives

      This section gives an overview of the climate agreements and initiatives that exist worldwide to mitigate carbon usage and climate change.

    • Business going green, environment eco friendly in climate change crisis or sustainability concept, smart businessman carrying wind turbine and plant seedling going to create green energy.

      Climate leadership and business action

      This section will give an overview of leadership that is taking place in reducing carbon.

    • Creative mind or brainstorm or creative idea concept with abstract human head silhouette and hand holding bulb lamp surrounded abstract geometric shapes in bright colors.

      Get inspired

      Time to get inspired! In this activity it is over to you to explore something you find interesting.

    • We will see you soon written on bright cinema sign in London, England, United Kingdom

      End of week wrap-up

      Here we provide a wrap up of the week and you can test your knowledge with a quick quiz.

  • Week 2

    Concepts

    • Student lifestyle concept. Vector flat person illustration set. Multi-ethnic young adult people in casual cloth with bag, backpack and notepad. Hi hand gesture.

      Welcome to week 2: concepts

      This week will explore key concepts relating to climate change and carbon reduction in the built environment.

    • Aerial drone view of wind turbines.

      Net zero carbon buildings

      This section will explore concepts such as whole life, net-zero, embodied and operational carbon.

    • Recycling carbon dioxide concept. Renewable methanol alternative energy. Ecological CO2 consumption for fiber technology production. Nature friendly and clean fuel substitute

      Scope 1, 2 & 3 emissions

      This sections explores what scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions mean for th built environment.

    • Close Up Of Woman Holding Smart Energy Meter In Kitchen Measuring Energy Efficiency

      Energy performance

      This section explores energy performance, the performance gap and other energy intensity reduction schemes for the built environment.

    • Due to climate change and global warming,emergency flood defenses put in place, to protect homes and businesses near to the river severn, torrents of water pour down from surrounding mountains.

      Climate risks and resilience

      This section explore climate resilience and adaptation for the built environment.

    • Blue Globe viewing from space at night with connections between cities.

      Interaction with other sustainability concepts

      This section explores how carbon and climate change interact with other sustainability concepts such as nature & biodiversity or health & wellbeing.

    • First person top view photo of hands unpacking craft paper giftbox with vivid blue satin ribbon bow over shiny sequins on isolated pastel blue background

      End of week wrap-up

      Here we provide a summary of this week's content, and you have the opportunity to test your learning with a quick quiz.

  • Week 3

    Cases

    • Business case study or marketing research, analyze product prototype or competitor, learning or search for strong and weakness concept, smart businessman use magnifying glass to analyze floating cube.

      Welcome to Week 3: cases

      Welcome to your third week! You are now over half way through the course. In this week we will be exploring a range of best-practice case studies demonstrating low carbon building.

    • Reduce carbon footprint, decrease emission and pollution produce, global warming and environmental recovery plan concept, businessman country leader cutting CO2 carbon dioxide smoke from industrial.

      Case study review

      In this section we review a series of case studies of best-practice low carbon building techniques.

    • Creative mind or brainstorm or creative idea concept with abstract human head silhouette and hand holding bulb lamp surrounded abstract geometric shapes in bright colors

      Create your own case study

      In this section we turn to you, to create and share your own interesting case study.

    • Shot of a young woman sitting with her hands behind her head while studying at home

      End of week wrap-up

      Here we provide a summary of this week's content, and you have the opportunity to test your learning with a quick quiz.

  • Week 4

    Change

    • Carefree young woman getting excited about winning while standing under falling confetti in a studio. Vibrant young woman celebrating life and having fun against a red background.

      Your final week!

      This week will look at climate reduction leadership, and learners will explore the change they themselves can make

    • Make a change orange speech bubble

      Making a change

      In this section we will explore how business, government and society all contribute to carbon reduction, and how a combination of all three working together is vital.

    • Happy free people flying concept. Men and women jump in air. Characters strive for goal and develop. Smiling person in various poses. Cartoon flat vector collection isolated on gray background

      Your influence

      In this section you have the chance to reflect on the influence that you personally can have on reducing carbon emissions in your built environment.

    • See you soon note pinned to a cork board

      This is not the end!

      Here we provide a summary of the course as well as further resources and next steps.

Learning on this course

On every step of the course you can meet other learners, share your ideas and join in with active discussions in the comments.

What will you achieve?

By the end of the course, you‘ll be able to...

  • Investigate key concepts and examples of carbon reduction in the built environment
  • Compare practices and techniques to reduce carbon in buildings globally
  • Apply your knowledge to your work, community or home
  • Develop a plan to positively influence low-carbon outcomes within your own built environment
  • Collaborate with other learners as part of your new-found future learn community

Who is the course for?

This course is designed for anyone interested in a low carbon future and how the built environment might contribute to this.

You may be working in the built environment, have existing knowledge on climate change, or you’re simply interested in growing your knowledge in this field.

Who will you learn with?

Holly Campbell

Holly is a Sustainability Learning Consultant for UKGBC.

Who developed the course?

SVG

UK Green Building Council

UKGBC is uniting the UK building industry using sustainability as a catalyst to positively transform the places people use every day.

A charity with over 600 member organisations spanning the entire sector, we represent the voice of the industry’s current and future leaders who are striving for transformational change.

Learning on FutureLearn

Your learning, your rules

  • Courses are split into weeks, activities, and steps to help you keep track of your learning
  • Learn through a mix of bite-sized videos, long- and short-form articles, audio, and practical activities
  • Stay motivated by using the Progress page to keep track of your step completion and assessment scores

Join a global classroom

  • Experience the power of social learning, and get inspired by an international network of learners
  • Share ideas with your peers and course educators on every step of the course
  • Join the conversation by reading, @ing, liking, bookmarking, and replying to comments from others

Map your progress

  • As you work through the course, use notifications and the Progress page to guide your learning
  • Whenever you’re ready, mark each step as complete, you’re in control
  • Complete 90% of course steps and all of the assessments to earn your certificate

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