COP27 online courses

In the run-up to COP27, we have put together a collection of short online courses covering topics of climate change, sustainability and environmental management for learners of all ages. 

Ecology and Wildlife Conservation

Ideal for younger and older learners, this course will introduce you to the study of ecosystems and help you understand our crucial role in conserving the world’s biodiversity.

The course explores the impact of wind farms on populations of seabirds and investigates advanced techniques for studying different ecosystems such as coral reefs.

This course is a taster to undergraduate degrees in Conservation Biology, Biology and Zoology. 

Explore Ecology and Wildlife Conservation on FutureLearn.

Planet Earth: Understanding and Protecting our Environment

This course explores the processes of the hydrosphere, the geosphere, and the biosphere and the impact of human activity and climate change on our planet. 

You will learn how scientists are addressing environmental problems such as food management and invasive species in a sustainable way and find out about research at Leeds that helps monitor the effects of climate change.

This course is a taster to undergraduate degrees in physical geography and environmental science. 

Explore Planet Earth: Understanding and Protecting our Environment on FutureLearn.

Aeroecology: Exploring Biodiversity with Radar (NEW)

This course is designed to help scientists, researchers as well as ecology enthusiasts to develop skills in using radar to explore biodiversity.  

You will explore the origins and evolution of radar from a military technology to a powerful tool with multiple scientific applications, including aeroecology. You will then be introduced to studying global biodiversity trends and learn how to evaluate traditional methods and emerging technologies used by scientists to monitor the natural world.   

Explore Aeroecology: Exploring Biodiversity with Radar on Coursera.

Renewable Energy: Sustainable Electricity Supply with Microgrids (NEW)

This course explores global approaches to electrification via a national grid, off-grid, micro and mini-grids and reflects on the barriers to affordable, clean and fair access to electricity.

You will then delve deeper and discover microgrids. You’ll learn how and when to use them, how to plan for one and consider the socio-economic and environmental implications of their usage. 

This skills-based course will enable you to conduct a feasibility study for creating your own microgrid in a small village and accessing its impact. 

Sign up for Renewable Energy: Sustainable Electricity Supply with Microgrids on FutureLearn.

The academics of this course hosted a live event about microgrids in October. Watch COP27 - Are Microgrids the next big thing? free on YouTube. 

Renewable Energy: Achieving Sustainability through Bioenergy

This course will help you understand the principles of bioenergy, one of the most diverse and readily available sources of renewable energy.

You will learn how to harness this form of green energy to achieve sustainability. You will also explore the social, economic and environmental implications of bioenergy and get to know how it is used around the world. 

Explore Renewable Energy: Achieving Sustainability through Bioenergy on FutureLearn.

Climate Change and Resilience in Food Systems

Even small climate changes can have large-scale consequences in agriculture and food systems with devastating effects on the people and their economies.

In this course, you will learn strategies designed to mitigate the impact of climate change, develop resilient food systems and create sustainable development in local communities. 

Explore Climate Change and Resilience in Food Systems on FutureLearn.

A Nutritional Approach to Agriculture and Food Security

Modern agriculture and global food systems have become very complex and do not always provide people with affordable and nutritious food.

This course presents current research, which aims to place nutrition at the heart of sustainable food systems and will help you to develop skills to implement and evaluate nutrition-sensitive interventions yourself. 

This course is based on research led by experts in agriculture, nutrition and environmental sciences from the University of Leeds, the University of Pretoria and FANRPAN (The Food, Agriculture and Natural Resources Policy Analysis Network).

Explore A Nutritional Approach to Agriculture and Food Security on FutureLearn.

Transport Systems: Global Issues and Future Innovations 

Discover how the transport sector can develop infrastructures that meet the needs of a 21st-century population.

In this course, you will learn about effective transport planning and modelling, considering how transport solutions can become sustainable, reduce pollution and improve the health and safety of people across the world.

Explore Transport Systems: Global Issues and Future Innovations on FutureLearn.

Environmental Challenges 

This collection of five online courses explores how human society interacts with the natural world, and the challenging and difficult decisions we face when managing natural resources.

Through case studies and lively discussions, you will learn how environmental management policies are developed and understand the challenges surrounding their formulation.

These courses will introduce you to concepts explored by Masters degrees in Environmental Management. 

You can access all courses within the collection for free and in any order, providing a flexible way to enhance your knowledge.  

Learn more about the courses included in the Environmental Challenges collection.