Exploring Possible Futures: Modeling in Environmental and Energy Economics (FutureLearn)

What will efficient cities look like in future? How do humans contribute to climate change? Is a completely renewable energy supply possible? To explore our possible futures, we need models.

Get an introduction to economic modeling
In this free online course, you’ll learn how to develop and use models in environmental economics and energy economics, covering both conceptual aspects and numerical modeling.
We’ll discuss topical issues like climate change and energy policies. Together, we’ll explore different modeling approaches, highlight their strengths and weaknesses, and discuss how to interpret and use their results to make informed decisions.

Develop your own economic model
In exercises, you’ll be taken through the steps of developing a simple environmental or energy economics model, and use this model to assess policy.
The course benefits from being part of the educational programme of the Swiss Competence Center for Research in Energy, Society and Transition (SCCER CREST), which brings together research groups from eight major Swiss research institutions. CREST provides state-of-the-art research and detailed, evidence-based recommendations on current problems of energy policy.