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Energy Transition and Sustainable Economies

Delve into the energy transition to understand how we can change the energy system to achieve sustainability.

1,394 enrolled on this course

Powerline in the city of Vasa.

Energy Transition and Sustainable Economies

1,394 enrolled on this course

  • 5 weeks

  • 4 hours per week

  • Digital certificate when eligible

  • Introductory level

Find out more about how to join this course

  • Duration

    5 weeks
  • Weekly study

    4 hours
  • 100% online

    How it works
  • Unlimited subscription

    $244.99 for a whole yearLearn 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.

Skip to 0 minutes and 2 seconds This MOOC course prepares you to familiarise yourself with the challenges and opportunities of energy transition. On completing the course, you will understand how energy transition supports climate change mitigation and adaptation. The course is available for independent study on the FutureLearn platform. The course is provided by Hanken School of Economics in cooperation with the VAASA Higher Education Consortium. The course is open year round.

Syllabus

  • Week 1

    The need for energy transition

    • Student writing in a notebook with laptop and glasses in the background.

      Introduction to the course

      Introduction to the course and the topics that will be covered, as well as practical information about taking the course.

    • Picture of the Earth melting.

      Lesson 1: Focus on climate change

      Learn about climate change: what it is and what causes is.

    • Demonstrator holing up sign with the text "System change not climate change".

      Lesson 2: Climate change mitigation and adaption

      Learn about how we can mitigate and adapt to climate change.

    • Rainforest.

      Lesson 3: Focus on biodiversity and nature

      Learn about biodiversity loss and the importance of preserving the natural environment.

    • Pens and a booklet.

      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

    • Solar energy panels and wind power plants

      Introduction: Energy transition

      Introduction to the topic of Week 2: Energy transition.

    • Black and white photo showing oil pumps in an oil field

      Lesson 1: Why are we in the present situation?

      Learn about how energy demand and CO2 emissions have historically developed.

    • Windmill for electric power production

      Lesson 2: A shift to renewable energy

      Learn about renewable energy sources.

    • Solar panels for energy production

      Lesson 3: Pathways for an energy transition

      Learn about emission reduction pathways and how to succeed in the energy transition.

    • Hands flipping through a book.

      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

    • Group of people holding lightbulbs.

      Introduction: Changing the energy system

      Introduction to the topic of Week 3: Changing the energy system.

    • People at workplace with holding syncronized gears which illustrate their cooperation.

      Lesson 1: Citizens in the energy transition

      Learn about how citizens can participate in the energy transition.

    • Hands of a man holding a white sheet of paper with two-faced human head figure.

      Lesson 2: The role of governments in the energy transition

      Learn about what governments can do for the energy transition.

    • Solar power plant communication network.

      Lesson 3: Technology and the new energy system

      Learn about the role of technology in changing the energy system.

    • Pens and a booklet.

      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

    • Image of three overlapping circles, depicting the three dimensions of sustainable development: ecological, social and economic

      Introduction: Sustainable development

      Introduction to the topic of Week 4: Sustainable development.

    • Wooden blocks arranged into steps with arrows pointing upwards with a hand placing the final block.

      Lesson 1: Limits to growth or sustainable growth?

      Learn about the compatibility of sustainability and economic growth.

    • Image of the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

      Lesson 2: The Sustainable Development Goals

      Learn about the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

    • Image of hand painting pollution from a chimney green.

      Lesson 3: Corporate social responsibility

      Learn about what companies can do for sustainable development.

    • Hands flipping through a book.

      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

    • Symbol with two arrows forming a circle on a green leaf.

      Introduction: Circular economy

      Introduction to the topic of Week 5: Circular economy.

    • Diagram showing the functioning of a circular economy, moving from make to use to recycle and back to make.

      Lesson 1: Building a circular economy

      Learn about the circular economy: what it is and how it differs from a linear economy.

    • Logo of EnergyVaasa.

      Lesson 2: Case EnergyVaasa

      Learn about the EnergyVaasa energy cluster and how it works for the energy transition and sustainable development.

    • Pens and a booklet.

      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.

    • Powerline in the city of Vaasa.

      Course wrap-up

      Wrap-up of the course and a final reflection of what you have learned during the course.

When would you like to start?

Start straight away and join a global classroom of learners. If the course hasn’t started yet you’ll see the future date listed below.

  • Available now

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...

  • Justify the need for an energy transition.
  • Describe the main features of the energy transition.
  • Identify the main actors participating in the energy transition and their roles in changing the energy system.
  • Explain how the energy transition relates to sustainable development and sustainable economies more broadly.
  • Describe the circular economy and how it contributes to the energy transition and sustainable economies.

Who is the course for?

This course is designed for anyone wanting to learn about the challenges and opportunities of energy transition in building a sustainable economy.

You don’t need any prior experience as all concepts start at an introductory level.

Who will you learn with?

Tommi Lehtonen

Hi! I’m Tommi. My job is to promote ethical goals of the University of Vaasa and to facilitate the integration of responsibility into all of its activities.

Peter Björk

Professor in marketing with a research passion for service innovation and design, marketing and consumer behaviour, and sustainability issues.

Maria Ehrnström-Fuentes

Maria Ehrnström Fuentes is lecturer at Åbo Akademi Business School in Finland. Her research focuses on the interaction of people, places, and nonhumans in organizations working with sustainability.

Asseri Laitinen

Senior Lecturer with expertise in Circular Economy, Carbon Neutral Society and Green & Sustainable Urban Planning. M.Sc. in Environmental Sciences and Applied Chemistry.

Who developed the course?

Hanken School of Economics logo

Hanken School of Economics

Hanken is a triple crown accredited Finnish university with long experience in education and research in business. Located in Helsinki and Vaasa, Hanken has 2,500 students from all around the world.

In collaboration with

vaasa logo
vamk
novia
abo logo

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Ways to learn

Choose the best way to learn for you!

Subscribe & save

$244.99 for a whole year

Automatically renews

Develop skills to further your career

  • Access to this course
  • Access to 1,000+ courses
  • Learn at your own pace
  • Discuss your learning in comments
  • Digital certificate when you're eligible

Cancel for free anytime

Buy this course

$79/one-off payment

Fulfill your current learning need

  • Access to this course
  • Learn at your own pace
  • Discuss your learning in comments
  • Printed and digital certificate when you’re eligible

Limited access

Free

Sample the course materials

  • Access expires 11 Mar 2025

Find out more about certificates, Unlimited or buying a course (Upgrades)

Sale price available until 3 March 2025 at 23:59 (UTC). T&Cs apply.

Find out more about certificates, Unlimited or buying a course (Upgrades)

Sale price available until 3 March 2025 at 23:59 (UTC). T&Cs apply.

Learning on FutureLearn

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  • Learn through a mix of bite-sized videos, long- and short-form articles, audio, and practical activities
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Join a global classroom

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  • Share ideas with your peers and course educators on every step of the course
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Map your progress

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  • 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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