Global Inequalities and the Just Transition

Understand the importance of a just transition in a zero-carbon future

Climate change is a critical issue that has inspired many young people to take action. However, when exploring green technologies as a sustainable solution, we are often presented with a simplistic view, with their costs and downsides rarely discussed.

On this four-week course, you’ll develop your understanding of green technologies, delving into what it truly means to be ‘green’.

You’ll also explore the concept of a just transition and some of the trade-offs that carbon zero will involve. With this knowledge, you’ll reflect on your own responsibilities and global inequality within the climate crisis.

Explore the use of Rare Earths Elements

You’ll improve your understanding of rare earths and how they are used in key technologies of the just transition. With this knowledge, you’ll critically reflect on your own use of rare earth elements, such as those used in smartphones.

Through real-life case studies, you’ll discover the geopolitical significance of rare earths as a commodity and the issues surrounding this global commodity chain.

Unpack green technology and the energy transition

As you start to explore the use of green technologies, you’ll reflect on how this technology might impact your life.

You’ll also unpack what a carbon zero energy transition will entail as well as its costs and benefits.

Reflect on global inequality with the experts at the University of Warwick

You’ll finish the course by critically reflecting on the current conversation about a zero-carbon future for a just transition.

Guided by the experts at the University of Warwick, you’ll not only reflect on your life but also on the lived realities of marginalised people globally to gain an understanding of the interconnectedness of issues of inequality.

This course is designed for anyone interested in sustainable development and the move to carbon zero.

It will be particularly useful for students and undergraduate students who want to aid their study of sustainability, carbon zero, and the climate crisis.

This course is designed for anyone interested in sustainable development and the move to carbon zero.

It will be particularly useful for students and undergraduate students who want to aid their study of sustainability, carbon zero, and the climate crisis.

• Assess different perspectives on the benefits and costs of using advanced technologies to tackle climate change
• Collaborate with other learners to support individual and group learning about energy transitions in different contexts, including the personal contexts of individual learners on the course
• Debate the relationship between global and local interests when using advanced technologies to tackle climate change
• Discuss their own attitudes towards green technologies and how these may change during the course
• Reflect on the reasons why some parts of the world become vulnerable to exploitative resource extraction
• Identify areas of technology that are dependent upon Rare Earth Elements in their everyday lives and to understand the costs and benefits of reliance on that technology
• Reflect on the interconnectedness of issues of global inequality and how these may be maintained or challenged in decisions relating to tackling climate change