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Duration
3 weeksWeekly study
4 hours
A Just Transition to a Low-Carbon Economy
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Understand what is meant by low carbon
How can we transition to a low-carbon economy without compromising the environment or negatively impacting people’s lives? On this three-week course, you’ll delve into the concept of a just transition and the options to deliver a low-carbon economy in a fair and responsible way.
You’ll discover what low carbon means and its importance before exploring the role of stakeholders, policy development, and labour markets in low-carbon economies.
Learn how policy development impacts the transition to low-carbon economies
Through real-life case studies, you’ll explore the different elements that make up a just transition including energy use, policy, and legislation.
With this knowledge and by exploring practical examples, you’ll understand how policy development is critical in helping to achieve low-carbon economies.
Explore the opportunities for business in the just transition
A just transition to a low-carbon economy impacts businesses, but it can also present many opportunities.
On the course, you’ll learn how to predict, and take advantage of, just transition-related opportunities such as job growth.
Learn from the experts at the University of the West Indies
Throughout the course, you’ll be guided by specialists from the University of the West Indies.
With their expertise, you’ll finish the course ready to take action to ensure that justice is at the heart of your low-carbon decision-making.
Syllabus
Week 1
Why do we need a Just Transition to Low-carbon Economy?
Welcome to just transition to a low-carbon economy
This activity introduces you to the course and explains what a just transition entails. You will also get the opportunity to share your initial thoughts on the concept of a just transition and interact with others.
Energy and the world economy
We will explore how energy impacts the world economy. In addition, you will get a chance to reflect on all that you have learnt so far and describe what you think a just transition could look like in your context.
Week 2
The Just Transition - Energy use, Policy and Legislation
Energy use
Explore the use of energy and its impact on the climate and the environment. Discuss policy and legislation in relation to the just transition concept. Articles and videos are provided to address these topics.
Policy and legislation
Issues related to policy and legislation will be addressed through articles and a video which looks at a policy for the just transition to a low-carbon economy in an energy rich, small island developing state in the Caribbean.
Week 3
Business and the Just Transition
Business and the Just Transition
This activity will include articles and discussions surrounding the role that business enterprises can play in the just transition process.
A just transition for all stakeholders
In this activity we will focus on the importance of including stakeholder views and feedback in the discussion in the just transition movement. There will be an article on the topic and a poll related to social dialogue.
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...
- Discuss the concept of Just Transition in their context
- Explain the role of energy in the world economy
- Explain the concept of low-carbon economy
- Outline the relationship between energy, climate and environmental issues
- Explain the legislative and policy development aspects of a just transition
- Identify opportunities for leading just transitions of businesses
- Evaluate sustainable energy options that deliver a low-carbon economy
Who is the course for?
This course is designed for anyone interested in climate action, justice, and sustainability.
It may be particularly useful for those working in renewable energy, community-based organisations, or private sector entities.
It will also be of interest to union leaders, industry members, educators, and policy developers.
Who will you learn with?
Emily, an advocate for the UNSDGs, with expertise in ESG, climate finance & blue economy financing, serves as Deputy Principal at The University of the West Indies Global Campus.
Andrea Burnett is a Programme Officer at The University of the West Indies, Global Campus. She is an advocate for Teacher Education and Sustainable Development Education.
Who developed the course?
The University of the West Indies
The University of the West Indies (The UWI) is the Caribbean’s premier, higher education institution. One of only two regional universities in the world, it comprises five campuses across the English-speaking Caribbean and 10 global centres in partnership with universities in North America, Latin America, Asia, Africa, and Europe. The UWI stands among the top 1.5% of universities globally, following Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings 2022.
Established
1948Location
The West Indies
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
- Experience the power of social learning, and get inspired by an international network of learners
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- 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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