Foundational Sustainability Skills & Competencies (Coursera)

Foundational Sustainability Skills & Competencies (Coursera)

The third course in this specialization takes the skills and knowledge learners have gained in the previous two courses and develops them into concrete skills that will serve the learner when they enter the field as a sustainability analyst. These skills include developing sustainability goals and initiatives, reporting and planning, maintaining document accuracy, and identifying partners for sustainability initiatives. This course focuses on the real-world application of all the skills the learners have gained in the previous two courses, using video, text, interactive, and peer-reviewed content and activities to support continued growth and learning.

Class Deals by MOOC List - Click here and see Coursera's Active Discounts, Deals, and Promo Codes.

In this course, the topical knowledge presented is directly related to the practical skills learners will demonstrate since the content presented is about tasks crucial to a successful sustainability analyst. Interactive learning objects and peer-reviewed submissions provide opportunities for hands-on learning and collaboration with fellow learners. Knowledge checks ensure that learners clearly understand the skills and competencies needed in the field of sustainability. At the same time, the hands-on activities provide them with opportunities to practice those skills and competencies.
Because this course is intended to be the final learning experience in the sequence, it supports learners as they prepare to enter the job market and seek sustainability roles. By presenting opportunities to practice developing reports, setting goals, and evaluating potential external partners, learners will be able to speak to those tasks in job interviews and complete the tasks successfully when they are hired into a role. The focus on practical application in this course supports learners’ confidence and development toward the position they seek.

Course 3 of 3 in the Sustainability Analyst Fundamentals Specialization.

Syllabus

WEEK 1
Introduction to skills and competencies
Welcome to the next course in your journey toward becoming a sustainability analyst! In this course, you will learn about the foundational competencies and skills you'll need to be a successful sustainability analyst. These competencies and skills include setting goals, creating implementation plans, establishing policies, reporting on sustainability activities, and working with vendors.

WEEK 2
What is the process of developing a sustainability project goal?
How do you set meaningful and attainable goals for your organization? In this module, you'll learn more about setting goals and establishing a solid foundation before you start any sustainability project or initiative.

WEEK 3
What are sustainability implementation plans?
After you've set your goals, how can you make them a reality? Engage with the materials in this module to learn about implementation plans and how to move towards your goals effectively and efficiently.

WEEK 4
How to create a sustainability policy
Your organization may ask you to go beyond specific goals and implementation plans to formulate an organization-wide vision for sustainability. In this module, you'll learn how to formulate a policy that suits your company and engages with the social and environmental pillars of sustainability.

WEEK 5
How to create a sustainability annual report
As a sustainability analyst, you'll be expected to report on your progress periodically. One of the most common types of reports is the annual report, which your organization will likely share widely. In this module, you'll learn how to craft an annual report that communicates your goals and achievements clearly.

WEEK 6
What is a performance-based contract?
Sometimes a sustainability project is too pricey for an organization to take on immediately. Performance-based contracts can provide an alternative to waiting for the right time in the budget to pursue projects like renewable energy and infrastructure initiatives. In this module, you'll learn how performance-based contracts work and how to identify the right partners to work with.

Go to Class
MOOC List is learner-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Related Courses

Initiating and Planning Projects (Coursera) Coursera
University of California, Irvine

Initiating and Planning Projects (Coursera)

Successful projects require careful upfront planning. In this course, you’ll learn the key roles and responsibilities of the project manager and project team. You’ll also learn to answer some key questions upfront to help you meet project objectives: What will this project accomplish? Why is this project important? Who benefits from this project? How will we plan for successful outcomes?

Jun 22nd 2026
5-12 Weeks
Advanced Functional Ceramics (Coursera) Coursera
Yonsei University

Advanced Functional Ceramics (Coursera)

To realize next-generation devices, novel ceramic materials with ultimate physical and chemical properties are required. For this purpose, a few intrinsic and extrinsic approaches for the development of new functional ceramics are proceeding. This course provides the fundamentals of functional ceramics and the materials design rules for developing advanced ceramics with ultimate physical and chemical properties.

Jun 22nd 2026
5-12 Weeks
Construction Project Management (Coursera) Coursera
Columbia University

Construction Project Management (Coursera)

Construction Project Management introduces you to Project Initiation and Planning. Industry experts join Columbia University professor, Ibrahim Odeh, to give an overview of the construction industry. Professor Odeh teaches the fundamentals of the Project Development Cycle while guest lecturers discuss Lean Project Delivery method and Lean Design Behaviors.

Jun 22nd 2026
5-12 Weeks
The Effect of Fires on People, Property and the Environment (Coursera) Coursera
University of Maryland, College Park

The Effect of Fires on People, Property and the Environment (Coursera)

Fires impact people, property and the environment in all countries around the world. In some cases, the resulting losses are extraordinary, causing hundreds of deaths, widespread damage to property and contents and significant impacts on the environment. More often, fires may cause a single casualty or affect a single home, though the effects are still highly significant to those affected and collectively are substantial. This course will provide an overview of the challenges posed by fire as well as the fire safety solutions that are available to meet those challenges.

Jun 22nd 2026
5-12 Weeks
Business Models For Sustainability (Coursera) Coursera
Copenhagen Business School,ESADE Business and Law School,ESCP Business School,NHH Norwegian School of Economics

Business Models For Sustainability (Coursera)

This course was created by some of the leading researchers on business model theory and social entrepreneurship in Europe in collaboration with both small and large companies across various sectors investing in sustainable business model innovation. This course provides an overview of sustainable business model theory and innovation and discusses business models as essential tools in transforming to more sustainable businesses.

Jun 22nd 2026
5-12 Weeks
Management of Urban Infrastructures – part 1 (Coursera) Coursera
École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne

Management of Urban Infrastructures – part 1 (Coursera)

Sustainability, Resilience and Efficiency are fundamental considerations for city managers in managing urban infrastructures. Today, more than 3.9 billion people, making up more than 54% of the global population, live in cities. Urbanization is expected to continue in the coming years, raising the urban population to 6.0 billion by 2045. This dramatic increase in urban populations will inevitably increase the demand for energy, mobility (transportation), water, and other urban services in every city around the world. Without functional governance and management structures that ensure efficient, resilient and sustainable performance in cities, the current urbanization growth might become a catastrophic risk threatening the quality of life of the humanity.

Jun 22nd 2026
5-12 Weeks
Beyond the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): Addressing Sustainability and Development (Coursera) Coursera
University of Michigan

Beyond the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): Addressing Sustainability and Development (Coursera)

We’re excited you’re here! This course, “Beyond the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): Addressing Sustainability and Development,” is the first course in the upcoming Sustainability and Development MasterTrack Certificate program (Fall 2020), but you can also take this course as a stand-alone learning opportunity.

Jun 24th 2026
5-12 Weeks
Arctic Change & the Nexus of Governance, Economics & Culture (Coursera) Coursera
University of Colorado Boulder

Arctic Change & the Nexus of Governance, Economics & Culture (Coursera)

In this course, you will learn how the changing Arctic environment is tied to the growing economic and strategic importance of the North. After setting the stage through a review of the peoples of the Arctic and how they are dealing with change, Arctic governance, economies national defense, attention turns to marine use of the Arctic, oil and gas exploration, mining, fisheries and tourism.

Jun 22nd 2026
4 Weeks
Software Engineering: Software Design and Project Management (Coursera) Coursera
The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology - HKUST

Software Engineering: Software Design and Project Management (Coursera)

Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC) is the process of developing software through planning, requirement analysis, design, implementation, testing, and maintenance. This course focuses on the project planning and analysis/design phases of SDLC, and you will learn about different architectural patterns and design patterns to solve common problems in software design. It covers project planning, scheduling, and cost estimating, which are the principal tasks of software project managers.

Jun 22nd 2026
3 Weeks
Global sustainability and corporate social responsibility: Be sustainable (Coursera) Coursera
Macquarie University

Global sustainability and corporate social responsibility: Be sustainable (Coursera)

It is no longer acceptable for organisations to focus entirely on financial success if they are to be competitive on the global stage. As corporate scandals continue to make headlines, you will expand your strategic thinking beyond your organisation’s competitive financial environment to consider its broader impact on society. You will grapple with the conflicting outcomes of maximising financial return and societal impact as you develop the skills to create a balance that is sustainable.

Jun 22nd 2026
5-12 Weeks
Planning for Climate Change in African Cities (Coursera) Coursera
Erasmus University Rotterdam,United Cities and Local Governments of Africa,African Local Government Academy,Institute for Housing and Urban Development

Planning for Climate Change in African Cities (Coursera)

Climate change poses a threat to economic growth and long-term prosperity of many countries around the world. Africa is not an exception, considering the actual and potential impacts of climate change and climate variability that will threaten its vulnerable sectors and human populations. African countries are projected to experience changing rainfall patterns, rising sea levels, and higher temperatures that will affect food security, agricultural production, water availability, and public health, among others. These climate change impacts and climate variability can further produce social and political problems, such as rural-urban migration and water resource disputes.

Jun 22nd 2026
5-12 Weeks
Climate Change, Sustainability, and Global Public Health (Coursera) Coursera
University of Michigan

Climate Change, Sustainability, and Global Public Health (Coursera)

The third course of the Impacts of the Environment on Global Public Health specialization will introduce you to two major environmental health challenges facing the world today. The first is climate change –the preeminent threat to public health today, and a threat that will impact every human and ecosystem on the planet.

Jun 22nd 2026
4 Weeks