Climate & Carbon Literacy: Learn How to Reduce Your Carbon Footprint at Work & Home (PGT)

Microcredential 

Climate & Carbon Literacy: Learn How to Reduce your Carbon Footprint at work & home Microcredential

Duration: 10 weeks
Credits: 10 Academic Credits (PG)
Delivery: All course content is delivered on Moodle, our virtual learning platform. You will converse with the tutors and fellow students in online forums.
Timetable: Fully online and flexible, with no scheduled classes to attend.
Funding: You are eligible for a fully funded place on this course if you are Scottish-domiciled and/or work for an organisation based in Scotland.
College: College of Science & Engineering
School: School of Geographical & Earth Sciences

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The sustainability skills and understanding required in today's workplace are more important than ever as we face the challenge of creating a low carbon, sustainable future to tackle the climate emergency. This course, designed for individuals and organisations, offers a comprehensive approach to learning that allows learners to actively practice and reflect on their role as agents of change at work, at home and in communities.

Why this course

This course provides learners with key resources to understand where businesses and individuals may start in their journey to assessing and improving their sustainable practices, covering useful strategies, action plans, and models that are relevant to a wide range of industries, from manufacturing to service.

Upon completion of this course, you will be able to:

  • Critically reflect on the environmental and societal consequences of climate change on a local and global scale;
  • Communicate basic knowledge of climate change and carbon literacy, including understanding key terms and jargon;
  • Analyse the validity of information from various sources, including social media, news feeds and blogs, to develop a repository of trusted sources for future reference;
  • Conduct individual and organisational-level carbon footprint analysis and explain ways to reduce carbon footprint through changing practices and behaviours;
  • Discuss and evaluate case studies about organisational sustainability practises;
  • Assess different approaches of reflective practice at an individual, group and organisational level;
  • Reflect on your individual practices and act toward a sustainable future.

Course structure

This course is designed to provide an active approach to learning that allows for the practice of and reflection on opportunities to be an agent for change. It will cover the following topics:

Week 1: Introduction to Climate Change & Course Content

Week 2: Building a Repository of Trusted Sources

Week 3: Carbon Footprint Basics

Week 4: Making Change & Working With Your Sphere of Influence (Proposal due)

Weeks 5 & 6: Action Learning

Week 7: Taking Action & Reflective Practice for Sustainable Action

Week 8: Case Studies: Grassroots Sustainable Initiatives

Week 9: Case Studies: Bringing Sustainability into the Workplace

Week 10: (Report due)

Assessment

To be confirmed. Learners who choose to submit the assessment will be awarded 10 Academic Credits towards a relevant Master’s degree at the University of Glasgow.

Meet The Team

This course is designed and delivered by Jaime Toney and Elaine Heslop.

Jaime is a Professor in Environmental and Climate Science. As Director of the Centre for Sustainable Solutions, she is enabling people to act toward a just and sustainable future. Jaime is an expert in the science behind climate change, specifically in understanding how modern climate, environmental and ecosystem changes differ from those the Earth has experienced in the past. She recognises that collaboration and interdisciplinary approaches are needed at all levels to make a transition to a sustainable future.

Elaine is an Honorary Fellow in the School of Geographical & Earth Sciences. Her career to date has included roles in the NHS, Civil Service, Deloitte and the University of Oxford. In 2020 Elaine worked with Professor Toney to establish the Centre for Sustainable Solutions at the University of Glasgow. Elaine is passionate about enabling individuals and organisations to apply ideas in practice and is using her expertise in bringing about workplace change into the sustainability agenda. 

Course alteration or discontinuation
The University of Glasgow endeavours to run all courses as advertised. In exceptional circumstances, however, the University may withdraw or alter a course. For more information, please see: Student contract.

Career prospects

This course is for individuals and organisations with an interest in becoming part of the solution to the climate emergency by influencing choices within their immediate control. This includes acquiring practical skills on assessing the sustainability of current practices in the home, community or workplace.  

Completion of this course grants potential for: 

  • Further academic study
  • Promotion
  • Increased earning potential
  • New career path

Entry requirements

It is suggested that learners on this course are educated to at least Undergraduate level and have an IELTS equivalent of 6.5. Learners will not be asked to prove their academic or professional history.