Upskilling Academy

Policymaking for climate action and circular economy

Gain essential insights into environmental policymaking with this free online course. Learn how policies drive climate action, explore key policy instruments, and understand global sustainability challenges.
Subject areas
Energy & Sustainability, Leadership & Management
Course Duration
80 hours 16 weeks
Location
Online

About this course

Discover the foundations of environmental policymaking and learn how policies shape climate action worldwide. This online course equips you with essential knowledge to navigate sustainability challenges and drive meaningful change. Whether you are a professional working in sustainability, a policymaker shaping environmental regulations, or simply someone passionate about climate action, this course provides valuable insights into how policies impact the world around us.

Taught by leading experts. Together with guest contributors from industry, and government, the course explores key policy instruments such as taxes, subsidies, and regulations, examining their effectiveness in addressing environmental challenges. Through real-world case studies, you will gain practical knowledge on how policies are designed, implemented, and assessed in various contexts.

What you’ll learn

  • The economic principles behind environmental policies and market failures.
  • How governments design and implement climate and sustainability policies.
  • The role of global cooperation and public perception in policy success.
  • Emerging trends in policymaking, including circular economy, AI and behavioral insights.

Content

  • Section 0 introduces the course, allowing learners to assess prior knowledge and directing them to either Section 1 or Extra Materials.
  • Section 1 explains climate change physics and social dimensions contributing to environmental challenges, including market failures and property rights.
  • Section 2 introduces various policy categories to address environmental challenges and lower emissions, including command-and-control, price-based, rights-based, and information-based instruments.
  • Section 3 addresses when to choose what policy instrument, focusing on market mechanism efficiency, policy combinations, economic distribution, fairness, social acceptance, and UN climate negotiations.
  • Section 4 explores practical policy implications in specific sectors like road transport, air transport, housing, and energy, providing concrete tools and implementation examples.

Language of instruction

The cause is taught in English

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Who is this course for?

Course Participant profile

Ideal for professionals, students, and policymakers seeking practical knowledge to navigate environmental governance.

Prerequisites: Completed high school