FutureLearn

Sustainability: Energy Transition (FutureLearn)

Offered by University of Canterbury,

How does energy help us secure a sustainable future? Delve into energy systems to discover the path to sustainable solutions. Explore sustainable energy with the experts at the University of Canterbury. To tackle the climate crisis, it’s important for us all to understand the complex problems we face and the significant transformational changes required. On this six-week course, you’ll identify how energy plays a substantial role in our ability to secure a sustainable future.

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

Guided by the experts at the University of Canterbury (UC) College of Engineering (COE), this course will help you explore the relationship between energy and emissions, and the effects of climate change on the environment and our future.
Understand the complexity of our current energy systems
You’ll explore why our present energy systems are unsuitable as you identify the changes needed to work towards a sustainable future.
You’ll learn about the complexities of these systems and the need to take into account different parameters, including economic viability, so you understand the many factors to consider in energy transition.

Explore the limitations of renewable energy
With an understanding of our current energy systems, you’ll examine the limitations of renewable energy to help you explore solutions to tackle the challenges we face.
You’ll also explore the principle of energy transition and the concept of Energy Return on Energy Invested (ERoEI) for a deeper understanding of energy systems.
By the end of this course, you’ll have the knowledge to recognise the limitations of our current energy systems and identify the path to energy transition and sustainability.
What topics will you cover?

Why energy transition matters
Limitations of growth
The unsustainability of oil supply
Energy in our daily lives
Renewable energies
Energy return vs energy invested

What will you achieve?
By the end of the course, you‘ll be able to...

Describe energy's role in our ability to secure a sustainable future.
Reflect on why our present energy systems are unsustainable.
Explore the limitations in the transition to Renewable Energy.
Identify the principles of an economically viable Energy Transition.

Go to Class

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

Related Courses

FutureLearn

University of Leeds

Renewable Energy: Achieving Sustainability through Bioenergy (FutureLearn)

Sci: Environment

Understand the principles of bioenergy and learn how to harness this form of renewable energy to achieve sustainability. Learn about the principles and environmental implications of bioenergy. On this two week course, you will explore bioenergy, one of the most diverse and readily available sources of renewable energy. You’ll look into what types of biomass can be used and how sustainable energy solutions can be developed in a wide range of communities.

Self Paced

2 Weeks

Sustainability Renewable Energy Biomass Energy

FutureLearn

University of Glasgow,CIVIS

Climate and Energy: An Interdisciplinary Perspective (FutureLearn)

Sci: Environment

Explore climate change issues from an interdisciplinary perspective to find innovative solutions for a better future. Gain interdisciplinary skills for climate change solutions. On this four-week course, you’ll join educators from ten universities on a virtual field trip to a remote Swedish island to gain perspectives on climate and energy from a multitude of disciplines.

Self Paced

4 Weeks

Sustainability Energy Climate Change

FutureLearn

Deakin University

IUCN Red List of Ecosystems: The Global Standard for Assessing Risks to Ecosystems (FutureLearn)

Engineering Sci: Environment

This course introduces the IUCN Red List of Ecosystems and its successful use and policy impact through real-world case studies. Learn how the Red List of Ecosystems is helping to sustain global biodiversity. Nature is under threat around the world. Understanding where ecosystems are at greatest risk allows us to act to sustain species and ecosystems.

Self Paced

2 Weeks

Sustainability Environment Ecosystems

FutureLearn

St George's, University of London

Medical Equipment Donations to Low Resource Settings (FutureLearn)

Health & Society Medicine & Pharmacology

Learn how to plan a medical equipment donation to a low-resource setting that's appropriate, sustainable, and has a real impact. Navigate the pitfalls of planning and organising donations of medical equipment. Unavailability of essential clinical equipment can be a serious problem in low-resource settings. On this course, developed in collaboration with the Tropical Health Education Trust (THET), you‘ll learn best practices in planning a donation of medical equipment to a low-resource setting.

Self Paced

2 Weeks

Planning Health Sustainability

FutureLearn

University of Malaya

Maqasid Al-Shariah and Sustainable Development (FutureLearn)

Health & Society Sci: Environment

Discover how religion, particularly Islamic teachings, and scientific knowledge can work together towards sustainable solutions. Use a blend of religion and science to explore sustainability. Sustainable Development is one of the most comprehensive worldwide concepts today in the quest to safeguard the environment. This principle of sustainability has been discovered to be intrinsically linked to the concept of Shariah, which emphasises the importance of continuity not just in this world, but also in the afterlife.

Self Paced

3 Weeks

Sustainability Islam Sustainable Development

FutureLearn

University College London

Educating for Sustainable Development (ESD) in Schools and Universities (FutureLearn)

Education

Explore the global challenges facing sustainable development worldwide and how to introduce them in schools and HE institutions. Develop the skills to examine sustainable development with all learners. As part of the UN Sustainable Development Goals, schools and universities have a responsibility to educate all learners on sustainability. On this three-week course, you’ll gain an overview of the key issues relating to sustainability and how to deliver this knowledge, whether you teach in schools or higher education.

Self Paced

3 Weeks

Sustainability Education Sustainable Development

FutureLearn

University of Reading,EIT Food,EIT

From Waste to Value: How to Tackle Food Waste (FutureLearn)

Food & Nutrition Sci: Environment

Discover the causes and impact of food waste, and learn how you can tackle it on a personal, community, and national level. Explore how combatting food waste and food loss can help the environment. The significant contribution the food system makes to climate change is widely recognised, and consumers are increasingly concerned about food waste. On this course, you’ll explore how you – as a consumer – can act and inspire others to reduce food waste effectively and sustainably.

Feb 6th 2023

3 Weeks

Sustainability Environment Circular Economy

FutureLearn

International Culinary Studio

Introduction to Sustainable Practices in Food Service (FutureLearn)

Food & Nutrition Art and Culture

Create a more sustainable food service business and make a difference to your bottom line, your stakeholders, and the environment. Improve your sustainable practices within your organisation. Sustainability isn’t just about ‘greening’; sustainability actually means ‘meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs.’ On this course, you’ll look at general global sustainability concepts, issues, and concerns, before focusing on sustainability specifically within food service and what you can do to reduce your impact.

Self Paced

2 Weeks

Sustainability Food Industry Circular Economy

FutureLearn

University College London

How to Drive Sustainable Healthcare: Educate, Engage, and Empower (FutureLearn)

Health & Society

Understand how healthcare impacts the environment and gain the skills to drive sustainable change within your healthcare setting. Discover the importance of sustainability in healthcare. Though healthcare systems play a vital role in society, they also have a considerable environmental impact. As we face the climate crisis, we must identify ways to reduce this impact. On this three-week course, you’ll discover how healthcare systems negatively affect the environment and what you can do in your healthcare setting to mitigate this. With this understanding, you’ll gain skills to promote sustainability and improve the health of your patients and the planet.

Jan 29th 2024

3 Weeks

Sustainability Healthcare Environmental Impacts

FutureLearn

University of Edinburgh,British Council,Learning for a Sustainable Scotland

Learning for a Sustainable Future (FutureLearn)

Sci: Energy & Earth Sciences Sci: Environment

Join a personal and professional global learning journey towards a sustainable future. What on Earth could be more important? Grow your knowledge of sustainability. Climate change, gender equality, health, social equity, and inclusion are issues that affect us all, impacting human well-being and economic stability. How to live a sustainable life affects – and connects - us all.

Mar 13th 2023

5-12 Weeks

Sustainability Personal Development Climate Change

FutureLearn

MINCA,Biji-biji Initiative

Social Innovation: Global Solutions for a Sustainable Future (FutureLearn)

Health & Society Business

Discover the power of social innovation, and how it can change the world for the better. Explore the importance of social innovation in a changing world. Social innovation is the process by which new ways of doing things are created to respond to society’s needs. This can be technological – embracing open-source or online technology, for example – or it can be social, via encouraging local entrepreneurship.

Self Paced

3 Weeks

Sustainability Innovation Social Innovation

FutureLearn

University of Leeds

Renewable Energy: Sustainable Electricity Supply with Microgrids (FutureLearn)

Sci: Environment

Explore approaches to electrification, microgrids, and how to harness this form of renewable energy to achieve sustainability. Learn and assess different electrification approaches from around the world. On this two-week course, you will learn how electricity is generated globally and explore different approaches to electrification. You will then learn technical aspects of electrification options via a national grid, off grid, micro and mini grids and reflect on the barriers to affordable, clean and fair access to electricity.

Self Paced

2 Weeks

Sustainability Electricity Renewable Energy