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Greening the Economy: Lessons from Scandinavia

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HomePhysical Science and EngineeringEnvironmental Science and Sustainability

Greening the Economy: Lessons from Scandinavia

Lund University

About this course: How can we live a good life on one planet with over seven billion people? This course will explore greening the economy on four levels – individual, business, city, and nation. We will look at the relationships between these levels and give many practical examples of the complexities and solutions across the levels. Scandinavia, a pioneering place advancing sustainability and combating climate change, is a unique starting point for learning about greening the economy. We will learn from many initiatives attempted in Scandinavia since the 1970s, which are all potentially helpful and useful for other countries and contexts. The International Institute for Industrial Environmental Economics (IIIEE) at Lund University is an international centre of excellence on strategies for sustainable solutions. The IIIEE is ideally suited to understand and explain the interdisciplinary issues in green economies utilising the diverse disciplinary backgrounds of its international staff. The IIIEE has been researching and teaching on sustainability and greener economies since the 1990s and it has extensive international networks connecting with a variety of organizations. 5-8 hours/week 5 weeks duration 40 films 20 teachers


Created by:  Lund University
Lund University

  • Dr. Kes McCormick

    Taught by:  Dr. Kes McCormick, Associate Professor and Assistant Head

    International Institute for Industrial Environmental Economics

  • Dr. Luis Mundaca

    Taught by:  Dr. Luis Mundaca, Associate Professor

    International Institute for Industrial Environmental Economics

  • Prof.  Oksana Mont

    Taught by:  Prof. Oksana Mont, Professor

    International Institute for Industrial Environmental Economics

  • Prof.  Lena Neij

    Taught by:  Prof. Lena Neij, Professor and Director

    International Institute for Industrial Environmental Economics

  • Dr. Thomas Lindhqvist

    Taught by:  Dr. Thomas Lindhqvist, Associate Professor

    International Institute for Industrial Environmental Economics

  • Dr.  Håkan Rodhe

    Taught by:  Dr. Håkan Rodhe, Associate Professor

    International Institute for Industrial Environmental Economics

  • Dr. Peter Arnfalk

    Taught by:  Dr. Peter Arnfalk, Associate Professor

    The International Institute for Industrial Environmental Economics

  • Dr. Charlotte Leire

    Taught by:  Dr. Charlotte Leire, Lecturer

    International Institute for Industrial Environmental Economics
LevelBeginner
Commitment5-8 hours/week
Language
English
How To PassPass all graded assignments to complete the course.
User Ratings
4.7 stars
Average User Rating 4.7See what learners said
Syllabus
WEEK 1
Introduction: what is a green economy and why is it important?
We start the course by looking at the key issues that a green economy seeks to address and the underlying concepts and definitions of a greener economy. In this module, we will describe problems arising from the interaction of the economy and the environment; we will state some of the aims of greening the economy and look into the multitude of definitions; we will use tools to measure and assess a green economy; and we will discuss concepts and indicators related to the green economy.
10 videos, 8 readings
  1. Reading: Introduction
  2. Reading: Timeline and Syllabus
  3. Reading: Course Details
  4. Reading: Grading
  5. Reading: About us
  6. Reading: Hangouts
  7. Reading: Course Assignment: Greener Product, Greener Business, and Greener City
  8. Video: Wicked Problems
  9. Video: What is a Green Economy
  10. Video: Little Actions and Big Challenges
  11. Video: Why Scandinavia
  12. Video: Cleaner and Greener production
  13. Video: Evolution of the concept of green economy
  14. Video: Interview: An Economist's Take on GtE
  15. Video: Interview: A Politician's Take on GtE
  16. Video: Interview: A Global Green Growth Perspective
  17. Video: "Meet the Parkers, Part I"
  18. Reading: Readings week 1
Graded: Introduction
WEEK 2
Individual choices
Here in Module 2 we look at the individual level and how individual choices can help or hinder progress towards a green economy. This module offers an increased understanding of patterns and levels of consumption; we will look at the drivers and theories of consumer behaviour and the limitations of working with consumer choice in isolation (e.g. rebound effect); and develop an understanding of how to measure the impact of consumption (e.g. carbon footprint).
8 videos, 1 reading
  1. Video: Drivers for Consumption
  2. Video: Consumers and Eco-labeling
  3. Video: Myths of Consumption
  4. Video: Mind the Gap
  5. Video: Living Green in Practice
  6. Video: Interview: Green Economy in Sweden & Europe
  7. Video: Interview: Building a Green Online Community
  8. Video: "Meet the Parkers, Part II"
  9. Reading: Readings week 2
Graded: Greener Product
Graded: Individual Choices
WEEK 3
Business strategies
In the third module, we look at the business level, focusing on how companies and organisations choose strategies that can help transitions to a green economy. In this module, the aim is to understand the changes relevant to the business level for a greener economy. You will be presented to some solutions and concepts that companies use to deal with complex problems encountered in their sustainability work. We will discuss the challenges facing companies that want to take a lead in the transition to a greener economy, and reflect on strategies for green business in different contexts.
11 videos, 1 reading
  1. Video: Business Fundamentals
  2. Video: Greening Upstream
  3. Video: Greening Downstream
  4. Video: Green Processes
  5. Video: Green Business Strategies
  6. Video: Virtual Mobility and e-Materialisation
  7. Video: Eco-Design
  8. Video: Interview: Sustainability at IKEA
  9. Video: Interview: Green Strategy of a Restaurant
  10. Video: Interview: Transition Towards Renewable Energy
  11. Video: "Meet the Parkers, Part III"
  12. Reading: Readings week 3
Graded: Greener Business
Graded: Business Strategies
WEEK 4
Sustainable cities
In Module 4, we look at how planning and designing cities can help achieve a green economy and underpin sustainable development. The aim this week is to understand the role of cities for experimentation, planning, collaboration and providing visions for a greener economy. We will use tools to measure and critically assess green economy indicators at the city level and discuss whether city level policies and actions in Scandinavia can work around the world.
8 videos, 1 reading
  1. Video: Sustainable Urban Transformation
  2. Video: Climate Governance and Urban Experiments
  3. Video: Urban Infrastructure and Planning
  4. Video: Visioning for Cities of the Future
  5. Video: Sustainable Neighbourhoods
  6. Video: Green Lifestyles and Cities
  7. Video: "Meet the Parkers, Part IV"
  8. Video: Municipal Waste Management
  9. Reading: Readings week 4
Graded: Greener City
Graded: Sustainable Cities
WEEK 5
National policies
Finally, in the fifth module, we look at how national governments can establish policies to promote green economy across the different levels (individual, business, city, national) discussed in this course. In this module, we discuss how national level policies affect cities, business, and individuals, as well as the challenges for national level policies to influence other levels, including the international sphere. Finally, we will discuss whether national policies from Scandinavia can work in other contexts
10 videos, 1 reading
  1. Video: Policy Instruments and Incentives
  2. Video: Green Public Procurement
  3. Video: Policy for Waste and Resources
  4. Video: Policy for Lighting Products
  5. Video: Economic Instruments and Price Signals
  6. Video: An OECD Perspective on Green Economy
  7. Video: Green Policy in Europe
  8. Video: Interview: International Climate Negotiations
  9. Video: Bonus interview: Extended producer responsibility
  10. Video: "Meet the Parkers, Part V"
  11. Reading: Readings week 5
Graded: National Policies

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Creators
Lund University
Lund University was founded in 1666 and has for a number of years been ranked among the world’s top 100 universities. The University has 47 700 students and 7 500 staff based in Lund, Sweden. Lund University unites tradition with a modern, dynamic, and highly international profile. With eight different faculties and numerous research centres and specialized institutes, Lund is the strongest research university in Sweden and one of Scandinavia's largest institutions for education and research. The university annually attracts a large number of international students and offers a wide range of courses and programmes taught in English.
Ratings and Reviews
Rated 4.7 out of 5 of 321 ratings
Richard Henkle

This helped open a lot of new perspectives in my thinking.

Abhijeet Shahi

Highly informative course and of great value

Deniz Üner

I learned a lot and this course encouraged and inspired me to explore more about this topic. Glad i have completed it.

EA

I totally enjoyed the course! I also appreciate the scholarship offered me. Thank you, Lund University, thank you, Coursera!



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