Explore the political dynamics driving policies to accelerate transitions to climate change and sustainability.
6 weeks,
excluding orientation
6–8 hours per week
entirely online
Weekly modules, flexible learning
1
The insight to decipher the political dynamics underlying climate change mitigation and sustainability efforts.
2
The ability to navigate the political and technological challenges of making climate and sustainability policy.
3
The knowledge to evaluate comprehensive approaches to climate action, including debates around topics that include the Just Transition, net-zero commitments, and geoengineering.
This Politics and Policy of Climate Change and Sustainability online certificate course is certified by the United Kingdom CPD Certification Service, and may be applicable to individuals who are members of, or are associated with, UK-based professional bodies. The course has an estimated 48 hours of learning.
Note: should you wish to claim CPD activity, the onus is on you. The London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) and GetSmarter accept no responsibility, and cannot be held responsible, for the claiming or validation of hours or points.
Module 1 The many causes of climate change
Explore the different causes of climate change and the roots of climate inaction.
Module 2 Climate change as a sustainability transition challenge
Explore sustainability transitions and the interconnectedness of social and ecological systems.
Module 3 Political strategies for ambitious climate and sustainability policy
Gain insight into different approaches to creating climate and sustainability policies.
Module 4 Activism and obstruction in environmental advocacy
Analyse the strategies and tactics used to support and oppose environmental policy change.
Module 5 Corporate environmental governance
Examine the strengths, limitations, and critiques of corporate environmental governance.
Module 6 Geoengineering: Break glass in case of emergency?
Explore the different geoengineering strategies and how to navigate the associated risk and uncertainty of emerging technologies.
Please note that module titles and their contents are subject to change during course development.
Dr Michael Lerner
Assistant Professor of Political Science and Public Policy
Dr Michael Lerner is an assistant professor of political science and public policy in the Department of Government. Michael studies comparative environmental politics with a broad interest in the challenges and strategies related to adopting timely policy responses to environmental change. His research focuses primarily on policy advocacy, including corporate lobbying on climate change, transnational advocacy networks, and the innovation and diffusion of environmental policy. Michael has published his work in the American Journal of Political Science, the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, and other peer-reviewed journals.
This LSE online certificate course is delivered in collaboration with online education provider GetSmarter. Join a growing community of global professionals and benefit from the opportunity to:
Gain verifiable and relevant competencies and earn invaluable recognition from a world-leading social science university, entirely online and in your own time.
Enjoy a personalised, people-mediated online learning experience created to make you feel supported at every step.
Experience a flexible but structured approach to online education as you plan your learning around your life to meet weekly milestones.