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
Taught by: Dr. Kes McCormick, Associate Professor and Assistant Head
International Institute for Industrial Environmental Economics
Taught by: Dr. Luis Mundaca, Associate Professor
International Institute for Industrial Environmental Economics
Taught by: Prof. Oksana Mont, Professor
International Institute for Industrial Environmental Economics
Taught by: Prof. Lena Neij, Professor and Director
International Institute for Industrial Environmental Economics
Taught by: Dr. Thomas Lindhqvist, Associate Professor
International Institute for Industrial Environmental Economics
Taught by: Dr. Håkan Rodhe, Associate Professor
International Institute for Industrial Environmental Economics
Taught by: Dr. Peter Arnfalk, Associate Professor
The International Institute for Industrial Environmental Economics
Taught by: Dr. Charlotte Leire, Lecturer
International Institute for Industrial Environmental Economics
| Level | Beginner |
| Commitment | 5-8 hours/week |
| Language | English |
| How To Pass | Pass all graded assignments to complete the course. |
| User Ratings |
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
- Reading: Introduction
- Reading: Timeline and Syllabus
- Reading: Course Details
- Reading: Grading
- Reading: About us
- Reading: Hangouts
- Reading: Course Assignment: Greener Product, Greener Business, and Greener City
- Video: Wicked Problems
- Video: What is a Green Economy
- Video: Little Actions and Big Challenges
- Video: Why Scandinavia
- Video: Cleaner and Greener production
- Video: Evolution of the concept of green economy
- Video: Interview: An Economist's Take on GtE
- Video: Interview: A Politician's Take on GtE
- Video: Interview: A Global Green Growth Perspective
- Video: "Meet the Parkers, Part I"
- 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
- Video: Drivers for Consumption
- Video: Consumers and Eco-labeling
- Video: Myths of Consumption
- Video: Mind the Gap
- Video: Living Green in Practice
- Video: Interview: Green Economy in Sweden & Europe
- Video: Interview: Building a Green Online Community
- Video: "Meet the Parkers, Part II"
- 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
- Video: Business Fundamentals
- Video: Greening Upstream
- Video: Greening Downstream
- Video: Green Processes
- Video: Green Business Strategies
- Video: Virtual Mobility and e-Materialisation
- Video: Eco-Design
- Video: Interview: Sustainability at IKEA
- Video: Interview: Green Strategy of a Restaurant
- Video: Interview: Transition Towards Renewable Energy
- Video: "Meet the Parkers, Part III"
- 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
- Video: Sustainable Urban Transformation
- Video: Climate Governance and Urban Experiments
- Video: Urban Infrastructure and Planning
- Video: Visioning for Cities of the Future
- Video: Sustainable Neighbourhoods
- Video: Green Lifestyles and Cities
- Video: "Meet the Parkers, Part IV"
- Video: Municipal Waste Management
- 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
- Video: Policy Instruments and Incentives
- Video: Green Public Procurement
- Video: Policy for Waste and Resources
- Video: Policy for Lighting Products
- Video: Economic Instruments and Price Signals
- Video: An OECD Perspective on Green Economy
- Video: Green Policy in Europe
- Video: Interview: International Climate Negotiations
- Video: Bonus interview: Extended producer responsibility
- Video: "Meet the Parkers, Part V"
- Reading: Readings week 5
Graded: National Policies
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Lund University
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Ratings and Reviews
I love the quality of the videos in terms of content and the way it was packaged. It's very appealing and interesting. I love the materials and the interviews. It's very relevant and inspiring. There really are a lot of lessons to learn from Scandinavia in terms of greening the economy. Thank you for making this course available to learners all over the world.
Buen curso, me hizo reflexionar y analizar en cada semana del desarrollo de los modulos. Buenas lecciones de Escandinavia.
The best MOOC I have ever completed. Gave me the direction of my career.
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Extremely instructive and inspiring!