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Course Description

In this course, you will examine one of the most important areas for large-scale climate action: energy transition. You’ll explore how modern energy systems developed over time, how patterns from past energy transitions continue to shape present-day infrastructure and consumption, and why moving from fossil-fuel dependence to renewable energy involves much more than replacing one technology with another. This course emphasizes the systemic nature of a transition to renewable energy, showing how technical performance, economic incentives, institutions, infrastructure, and public acceptance collectively influence how quickly and effectively energy systems can change.

Throughout this course, you will analyze the major obstacles to renewable deployment, including grid constraints, storage needs, financing challenges, policy barriers, manufacturing gaps, resource constraints, and social resistance. From this analysis, you’ll begin designing integrated strategies to advance energy transitions in complex real-world contexts. This course focuses on operational realities of modern energy systems and prepares you to assess energy transition pathways with greater strategic and systems-level insight.

You are required to have completed the following courses or have equivalent experience before taking this course:

  • Evaluating Climate Evidence, Claims, and Solutions
  • Applying Climate Projections to Regional Planning
  • Bridging Climate Science, Economics, and Cooperation

Faculty Author

Toby Ault

Benefits to the Learner

  • Examine the evolution of energy systems and their impact on modern consumption
  • Analyze patterns in historical energy transitions to understand systemic challenges
  • Address systemic challenges to drive scalable energy transitions
  • Design integrated strategies to scale renewable energy deployment

Target Audience

  • Sustainability and ESG professionals seeking stronger climate science fluency
  • Policy advisors, nonprofit leaders, and public sector managers working on climate initiatives
  • Corporate executives and consultants addressing climate risk and transition planning
  • Communications professionals, educators, and journalists covering climate topics
  • Investment and finance professionals evaluating climate-related opportunities and risks
  • Real estate developers, urban planners, and infrastructure leaders integrating climate adaptation
  • Energy sector professionals navigating renewable transitions and system change
  • Insurance and risk management professionals assessing climate-related exposures

Applies Towards the Following Certificates

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Enroll Now - Select a section to enroll in
Type
2 week
Dates
Nov 25, 2026 to Dec 08, 2026
Total Number of Hours
12.0
Course Fee(s)
Standard Price $999.00
Type
2 week
Dates
Feb 17, 2027 to Mar 02, 2027
Total Number of Hours
12.0
Course Fee(s)
Standard Price $999.00
Type
2 week
Dates
May 12, 2027 to May 25, 2027
Total Number of Hours
12.0
Course Fee(s)
Standard Price $999.00
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