Economics and Policies of Climate Change

Economics and Policies of Climate Change, offered by EDHEC Business School through Coursera, is a beginner-level online course designed to help learners understand how economists think about climate change and the policy choices available to address it. The course focuses on realistic options for climate action, including how much to invest in abatement, whether action should be taken now or later, and how economic reasoning can be used to evaluate these questions. It is particularly relevant for learners who want to understand the economics behind climate policy rather than only the science or technology of climate change.

Core Content

The curriculum is structured across five modules and explores two main economic approaches to climate action. The first is the net-present-value approach, which introduces the role of the social discount rate in comparing present costs with future benefits. The second examines Integrated Assessment Models, with particular focus on the DICE model developed by William Nordhaus. The course then turns to climate policy instruments, covering mitigation versus adaptation, carbon taxes, regulations, standard-setting, and emissions trading systems, including carbon markets and their economic effects.

Key Skills

Participants will develop the ability to understand the core economic logic behind climate action and evaluate the main policy tools used to reduce emissions. Coursera lists skills such as policy analysis, climate change mitigation, mathematical modeling, cost-benefit analysis, environmental policy, environmental regulations, climate change adaptation, tax, and market analysis among the course outcomes. The course also helps learners build a stronger foundation for forming their own informed view on climate policy choices and trade-offs.

Target Learners

This course is designed for learners who want to understand the economics of climate change and use that understanding to form their own informed opinion about the policies used to tackle it. Coursera classifies it as beginner level with recommended experience, and the course description notes that no specialized prior knowledge is required beyond basic familiarity with economic concepts such as utility functions. It is especially useful for learners interested in climate policy, environmental economics, and sustainable investing.

Learning Format

Hosted on Coursera, the course is delivered in a flexible online format with five modules and an estimated completion time of one week at around ten hours per week. The learning experience includes videos, readings, graded assignments, and discussion prompts, allowing learners to progress at their own pace while building practical understanding step by step. Coursera also notes that the course includes five assignments, offers a shareable certificate, is taught in English with 21 language options available, and is included with Coursera Plus.

Additional Benefits

The course offers practical value for learners who want to move beyond broad climate awareness and understand the economic frameworks behind climate decision-making. Its combination of social discounting, integrated assessment models, and policy tools makes it especially useful for those who want to connect economics with real climate policy debates. As part of the Climate Change and Sustainable Investing Specialization, it also provides a useful pathway into broader learning on finance, climate, and investment.

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