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Course Report

250+ Free Courses on Sustainable Development Goals

We’ve compiled over 250 sustainability online courses from institutions and universities including Harvard, Oxford, and Stanford.

In 2015, the United Nations came together to adopt the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, a set of 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) on topics such as health, inequality, and climate change. Since their adoption, SDGs have served as a platform for organizing global, national, local, and individual action.

With the help of SDG Academy, a free online education platform from the UN’s Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN), Class Central has put together a list of online courses that will help you discover SDGs, how they’re being implemented, and how you can contribute too.

Class Central’s SDG Collection shows course overviews and allows you to filter by SDG

More specifically, we’ve created a Sustainable Development Goals online courses collection, where you’ll be able to easily navigate and filter the more than 250 SDG courses in the Class Central catalog, as you can see above.

Below, you’ll find a selection of courses about each SDG. For the full list, head to our dedicated collection.

SDG Academy alone has produced more than 50 free online courses on cross-cutting issues related to SDGs, such as human rights, resilience, and environmental security. The list also includes sustainability courses offered by global universities including Harvard, Oxford, Stanford, and MIT on various online course platforms.

The UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDG)

Whether you’re interested in poverty reduction, food security, education, or any other sustainable development topic, these courses will help you join efforts to achieve prosperity for both people and planet.

Click on a topic to jump to the corresponding courses:


Introduction to Sustainability and SDGs

The Age of Sustainable Development
Columbia University via Coursera
The Age of Sustainable Development” gives students an understanding of the key challenges and pathways to sustainable development – that is, economic development that is also socially inclusive and environmentally sustainable.
★★★★★ (14 ratings)

Introduction to Sustainability
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign via Coursera
This course introduces the academic approach of Sustainability and explores how today’s human societies can endure in the face of global change, ecosystem degradation and resource limitations.
★★★★★ (17 ratings)

Age of Sustainable Development
SDG Academy via edX
Learn the basics of sustainable development — what it is, why it’s important and how we can achieve it.
★★★★★ (10 ratings)

The Sustainable Development Goals – A global, transdisciplinary vision for the future
University of Copenhagen via Coursera
Within this course, you will get a historical overview of how sustainability has been understood, as well as a thorough introduction to the SDGs – what they are, how progress can be measured, and how the SDGs are relevant for the management of the global systems supporting humanity. The course will examine how various societal actors are responding to and implementing the SDGs.
★★★★★ (2 ratings)

Driving business towards the Sustainable Development Goals
Erasmus University Rotterdam via Coursera
This course has been developed by Rotterdam School of Management at Erasmus University (RSM). It focuses on the role of businesses in achieving the SDGs. You will gain insights from leaders of international companies and academics in business and management who will guide you through the issue of how businesses can contribute to the SDGs.
★★★★★ (2 ratings)

More courses: You can find over 2,500 sustainability courses here and over 250 SDG courses here.

SDG 1: Sustainability Courses for No Poverty

SDG 1: Sustainability Courses for No Poverty

SDG 1: No Poverty
End poverty in all its forms everywhere. 

From Poverty to Prosperity: Understanding Economic Development
University of Oxford via edX
Learn about the role of government and the key political, social, and economic processes that elevate any society from poverty to prosperity.
★★★★★ (6 ratings)

Human Rights, Human Wrongs: Challenging Poverty, Vulnerability and Social Exclusion
SDG Academy via edX
With complex legal protections and varying societal norms, how do we ensure rights for all?

How to Achieve the Sustainable Development Goals
SDG Academy via edX
The world has adopted an ambitious agenda, the Sustainable Development Goals, to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure prosperity for all. Learn how we can achieve these goals through careful planning and engagement of diverse stakeholders.

Understanding and Solving Poverty and Inequality
University of York via FutureLearn
On this course, you’ll explore these concepts in detail and take a look at how these social issues could be solved.

Understanding Poverty and Inequality
SDG Academy via edX
Explore the many facets and faces of poverty and inequality, and discover opportunities for individuals, countries, and a global community to help ensure that no one is left behind.

The Challenge of World Poverty
Massachusetts Institute of Technology via MIT OpenCourseWare
This is a course for those who are interested in the challenge posed by massive and persistent world poverty, and are hopeful that economists might have something useful to say about this challenge.

More courses: You can find over 80 courses on SDG 1: No Poverty here.

SDG 2: Sustainability Courses for No Hunger

SDG 2: Sustainability Courses for No Hunger

SDG 2: No Hunger
End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition, and promote sustainable agriculture. 

A Nutritional Approach to Agriculture and Food Security
University of Leeds via FutureLearn
This course presents current research, which aims to place nutrition at the heart of the food system.
★★★★★ (10 ratings)

Revolutionising the Food Chain with Technology
EIT Food via FutureLearn
Food quality and safety is increasingly under threat as natural resources are stretched by climate change, hunger, and explosive population growth. On this course, you’ll learn how the food sector can respond to these challenges by adopting innovative tech.

Sustainable Food Security: Crop Production
Wageningen University via edX
How to feed the world without depleting our planet’s reserves? Learn the basics of crop production. This online course is offered as a MOOC, and is part of the XSeries Sustainable Food Security.
★★★★★ (1 rating)

Remote Food Security Monitoring
Leiden University via Independent
This course aims to give a clear understanding of what remote food security monitoring entails, when it is a useful tool, and how to implement a remote food security monitoring project.
★★★★★ (1 rating)

Sustainable Food Security: Food Access
Wageningen University via edX
Who decides what food is on your plate? Understand the basics of access to food and food decision-making from a multilevel perspective in this course. This online course is offered as a MOOC, and is part of the XSeries Sustainable Food Security.
★★★★★ (1 rating)

Public Health Perspectives on Sustainable Diets
Johns Hopkins University via Coursera
This short course looks at the urgent need to address the sustainability of our food systems, including better understanding the complex relationship between diet and climate change.
★★★★★ (1 rating)

More courses: You can find over 80 courses on SDG 2: Zero Hunger here.

SDG 3:Sustainability Courses for Global Health

SDG 3:Sustainability Courses for Global Health

SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages. 

The Health Effects of Climate Change
Harvard University via edX
Learn how global warming impacts human health, and the ways we can diminish those impacts.
★★★★★ (9 ratings)

International Women’s Health and Human Rights
Stanford University via Coursera
This course focuses on women’s health and human rights issues from infancy through old age, including information about positive interventions relating to those issues. Learners are encouraged to interact with each other through interactive discussions.
★★★★☆ (5 ratings)

Global Public Health
SDG Academy via edX
Understanding the value of health not just as a benefit or right of individuals, but as a global public need.
★★★★★ (5 ratings)

An Introduction to Global Health
University of Copenhagen via Coursera
This course will provide you with an overview of the most important health challenges facing the world today. You will gain insight into how challenges have changed over time, we will discuss the likely determinants of such changes and examine future projections.
★★★★☆ (3 ratings)

Confronting Gender Based Violence: Global Lessons for Healthcare Workers
Johns Hopkins University via Coursera
This course introduces participants from the healthcare sector to gender based violence (GBV), including global epidemiology of GBV; health outcomes; seminal research; and clinical best practices for GBV prevention, support, and management.
★★★★★ (3 ratings)

Health Across the Gender Spectrum
Stanford University via edX
This course offers an intimate, story-based introduction to the experiences of six transgender children and their families. Through illustrated stories and short teaching videos, learners will gain a better understanding of gender identity and the gender spectrum.
★★★★★ (3 ratings)

Global Health: An Interdisciplinary Overview
University of Geneva via Coursera
Interdisciplinary exploration of global health challenges, covering infectious diseases, NCDs, health systems, policy, innovation, and environmental impacts on well-being worldwide.
★★★★☆ (3 ratings)

Essentials of Global Health
Yale University via Coursera
Essentials of Global Health is a comprehensive introduction to global health. The course will be global in coverage but with a focus on low- and middle-income countries, the health of the poor, and health disparities.
★★★★☆ (2 ratings)

Foundations of Public Health Practice: Health Protection
Imperial College London via Coursera
The scope and content of this course has been developed from the ground up by a combined team of academics and practitioners drawing on decades of real-world public health experience as well as deep academic knowledge.

Foundations of Public Health Practice: Behaviour & Behaviour Change
Imperial College London via Coursera
The scope and content of this course has been developed from the ground up by a combined team of academics and practitioners drawing on decades of real-world public health experience as well as deep academic knowledge.

Global Health Security, Solidarity and Sustainability through the International Health Regulations
University of Geneva via Coursera
You will learn about the International Health Regulations (IHR), history of its creation and evolution, its major principles and implementation procedures, as well as challenges and future opportunities.

Achieving Sustainable Development
Trinity College Dublin via FutureLearn
Explore UN Sustainable Development Goals’ impact on global issues like peace, health, and urbanization. Critically examine sustainability’s effects on communities and real lives worldwide.

More courses: You can find over 80 courses on SDG 3: Global Health here.

SDG 4: Sustainability Courses for Quality Education

SDG 4: Sustainability Courses for Quality Education

SDG 4: Quality Education
Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all. 

Design Thinking for the Greater Good: Innovation in the Social Sector
University of Virginia via Coursera
Explore human-centered design thinking to solve social sector challenges. Learn tools and techniques to understand issues, generate ideas, and create impactful solutions in areas like healthcare, education, and government.
★★★☆☆ (2 ratings)

Certificate course in Environmental Sustainability
IGNOU via Swayam
The course is an unique effort to provide awareness about environmental issues from the perspective of social sciences, technology, education and law. It is expected that after going through the course, learners will have a comprehensive idea about the issue areas.
★★★★★ (2 ratings)

The Right to Education: Breaking Down the Barriers
University of Glasgow via FutureLearn
This online course will answer these and other questions, and help you join the movement to get children the world over into education.
★★★★★ (1 rating)

Leading for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion in Higher Education
University of Michigan via Coursera
This course is open to professionals interested in learning more about leadership in higher education for a changing demographic or interested in developing their own leadership skills. The very idea that individuals can be taught to lead is not without its skeptics.

Climate Change Education
Inter-American Development Bank via edX
Learn how to work with your students to help them explore climate change through the use of interactive and engaging activities. These activities are designed for students at the primary and secondary levels.

Diversity and Inclusion in Education
University of Glasgow via Coursera
Explore concepts of diversity, inclusion, and equity in education. Develop critical understanding and practical skills to create inclusive learning environments for all students.

Education for Sustainable Development
Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur via Swayam
Explore sustainable development through education, covering UNESCO’s SDGs, quality education, cultural diversity, employability skills, and social transformation for a better world.

More courses: You can find over 90 courses on SDG 4: Quality Education here.

SDG 5: Sustainability Courses for Gender Equality

SDG 5: Sustainability Courses for Gender Equality

SDG 5: Gender Equality
Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls. 

Doing Gender and Why it Matters
The University of Hong Kong via edX
Understand gendered realities through an in-depth consideration of “sex” and “gender” as cultural, social and legal phenomena impacting society and how they interact with structures of power and violence using an interdisciplinary lens.
★★★★★ (12 ratings)

Confronting Gender Based Violence: Global Lessons for Healthcare Workers
Johns Hopkins University via Coursera
This course introduces participants from the healthcare sector to gender based violence (GBV), including global epidemiology of GBV; health outcomes; seminal research; and clinical best practices for GBV prevention, support, and management.
★★★★★ (3 ratings)

Health Across the Gender Spectrum
Stanford University via edX
This course offers an intimate, story-based introduction to the experiences of six transgender children and their families. Through illustrated stories and short teaching videos, learners will gain a better understanding of gender identity and the gender spectrum.
★★★★★ (3 ratings)

Queering Identities: LGBTQ+ Sexuality and Gender Identity
University of Colorado System via Coursera
Explore LGBTQ+ history, identities, and activism. Examine social constructs of gender and sexuality. Apply queer theory to contemporary issues and personal experiences.
★★★★★ (3 ratings)

Gender, Race and Technology
The University of Texas at Austin via Kadenze
Explore issues affecting women and minorities in creative and tech fields, examining biases, stereotypes, and solutions through case studies, interviews, and discussions with industry leaders.
★★★★★ (1 rating)

Global Inequality
Wellesley College via edX
Explore how class, gender, and racial inequalities shape our personal and social worlds.

Understanding Gender Equity
Catalyst via edX
Understand what gender equity is, the difference between gender equity and gender equality, why it matters, and how to recognize and address gender inequity in the workplace.

BGSE-001: Gender Sensitisation: Society, Culture and Change
IGNOU via Swayam
Explore gender issues, societal norms, and paths to equality. Deconstruct stereotypes, analyze power dynamics, and learn strategies for creating a more inclusive and equitable society.

Race, Gender and Workplace Equity
Catalyst via edX
Empower inclusive leadership skills to build equitable workplaces, manage diverse teams, and serve diverse clients. Examine biases, understand key concepts, and practice through engaging activities and case studies.

Gender Analytics: Gender Equity through Inclusive Design
University of Toronto via Coursera
Current conversations about diversity & inclusion often forget that these are not just HR issues but affect how products, services, processes & policies create outcomes that differ by gender, race, differences in ability, indigeneity & other intersecting identities.

More courses: You can find over 60 courses on SDG 5: Gender Equality here.

SDG 6: Sustainability Courses for Clean Water

SDG 6: Sustainability Courses for Clean Water

SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation
Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all. 

Water Supply and Sanitation Policy in Developing Countries Part 1: Understanding Complex Problems
University of Manchester via Coursera
Our course explores what can be done to solve the complex problem that half a billion people worldwide do not have improved water supplies and two billion do not have improved sanitation.
★★★★★ (8 ratings)

International Water Law
University of Geneva via Coursera
Explore the principles, evolution, and dispute resolution mechanisms of international water law, focusing on transboundary freshwater management and protection across rivers, lakes, and aquifers.
★★★★★ (3 ratings)

Politics and Economics of International Energy
Institut d’Etudes Politiques de Paris via Coursera
Energy issues have always been important in international relations, but in recent years may have become even more important than in the past due to the widespread awareness of existing limits to energy sources and negative climate impacts.
★★★★☆ (3 ratings)

Sustainable Agricultural Land Management
University of Florida via Coursera
Explore water quality, nutrient management, and best practices in Florida agriculture. Learn to evaluate research and policies protecting water resources while balancing agricultural needs.
★★★★★ (2 ratings)

Urban Water – Innovations for Environmental Sustainability
The University of British Columbia via edX
Learn about innovative urban solutions to the global water crisis, with inspiring real-life examples from architects, engineers, planners, ecologists, and artists.
★★★★☆ (2 ratings)

Sustainability of Social-Ecological Systems: the Nexus between Water, Energy and Food
Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (Autonomous University of Barcelona) via Coursera
Explore complex social-ecological systems through the water-energy-food nexus. Learn to analyze sustainability using innovative methods, challenging conventional narratives and developing critical thinking skills.
★★★★★ (1 rating)

Water Resources Management and Policy
University of Geneva via Coursera
Water management today is faced with new challenges such as climate change or the effects of human activity. Public and private stakeholders who are active in this field must develop new ways to better manage the water cycle “as a whole”.
★★★★☆ (1 rating)

Oceanography: a key to better understand our world
University of Barcelona via Coursera
Explore oceanography fundamentals, from ocean floor formation to satellite analysis systems. Learn about water properties, circulation patterns, and the ocean’s role in global climate, enhancing your understanding of marine environments.
★☆☆☆☆ (1 rating)

Water: Addressing the Global Crisis
SDG Academy via edX
We are living in a water stressed world. It is a global crisis and therefore we must act now! What can we do to save the planet and ensure availability of water for all by 2030?
★★★★★ (1 rating)

Sustainable Development: The Water-Energy-Food Nexus
RWTH Aachen University via edX
Securing the supply of water, energy, and food is one of the greatest global challenges of our time. Learn all about sustainable development and global changes in this course.

Water Supply and Sanitation Policy in Developing Countries Part 2: Developing Effective Interventions
University of Manchester via Coursera
Develop analytical skills to address complex water and sanitation challenges in developing countries. Explore political, economic, social, and technical dimensions of policy interventions used by donors, governments, and utilities.

Governance for Transboundary Freshwater Security
SDG Academy via edX
This course provides understandings of transboundary freshwater governance in theory and practice. Topics include transboundary freshwater security, international water law, water diplomacy, negotiations, institutions, management tools, and sustainable finance.

Water Works: Activating Heritage for Sustainable Development
Delft University of Technology via edX
Explore water systems and apply the UNESCO Historic Urban Landscape (HUL) approach for tackling the environmental challenges of today.

More courses: You can find over 80 courses on SDG 6: Clean Water here.

SDG 7: Sustainability Courses for Clean Energy

SDG 7: Sustainability Courses for Clean Energy

SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy
Assure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all. 

Introduction to solar cells
Technical University of Denmark (DTU) via Coursera
Explore solar cell fundamentals, history, types, and emerging technologies. Gain practical insights through virtual exercises and expert interviews for a comprehensive understanding of this green energy source.
★★★★★ (10 ratings)

Climate Change Science and Negotiations
SDG Academy via edX
Humanity is up against a tight timeline to address climate change. Learn how we can deeply decarbonize the global energy systems, and put the world on a 2°C pathway.
★★★★☆ (9 ratings)

Our Energy Future
University of California, San Diego via Coursera
Explore energy production, utilization, and sustainability from multiple perspectives, including biology, engineering, economics, and climate science. Gain insights into renewable sources and their global impact.
★★★★★ (7 ratings)

Wind Energy
Technical University of Denmark (DTU) via Coursera
Comprehensive introduction to wind energy engineering, covering key aspects like measurements, aerodynamics, technology, and economics. Hands-on exercises provide practical skills for wind energy calculations and project assessment.
★★★★☆ (5 ratings)

Photovoltaic solar energy
École Polytechnique via Coursera
Explore photovoltaic technologies, their operation, systems, and impact. Learn about solar cell efficiency, grid integration, and the evolving economics of this renewable energy source.
★★★★★ (3 ratings)

Politics and Economics of International Energy
Institut d’Etudes Politiques de Paris via Coursera
Energy issues have always been important in international relations, but in recent years may have become even more important than in the past due to the widespread awareness of existing limits to energy sources and negative climate impacts.
★★★★☆ (3 ratings)

Renewable Energy Futures
University of Colorado Boulder via Coursera
Explore renewable energy’s future, emerging technologies, and global impact. Gain insights into industry trends, enabling technologies, and opportunities in this rapidly evolving field.
★★★★★ (2 ratings)

Sustainability of Social-Ecological Systems: the Nexus between Water, Energy and Food
Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (Autonomous University of Barcelona) via Coursera
Explore complex social-ecological systems through the water-energy-food nexus. Learn to analyze sustainability using innovative methods, challenging conventional narratives and developing critical thinking skills.
★★★★★ (1 rating)

Sustainable Energy: Design a Renewable Future
Delft University of Technology via edX
Learn how to make the transition to 100% renewable energy from wind, solar and biomass for electricity, heat and fuels for a sustainable future.
★★★★★ (1 rating)

Solar Energy Basics
State University of New York via Coursera
Explore solar energy fundamentals, from panel components to system design. Learn to calculate energy needs, compare pricing models, and understand regulatory considerations for grid-tied systems.
★★★★★ (1 rating)

Solar Energy System Design
State University of New York via Coursera
Solar Energy System Design builds upon the introduction to PV systems from Solar Energy Basics course, which included basic system components and functions, as well as some basic system sizing using simplifying assumptions.
★★★★★ (1 rating)

New Energy Technologies: Energy Transition and Sustainable Development
Grenoble School of Management via FutureLearn
Explore new energy technologies addressing global challenges, combining academic research and industry expertise to understand the future of sustainable energy systems and markets.
★★★★★ (1 rating)

More courses: You can find over 90 courses on SDG 7: Clean Energy here.

SDG 8: Sustainability Courses for Economic Growth

SDG 8: Sustainability Courses for Economic Growth

SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment, and decent work for all. 

Greening the Economy: Sustainable Cities
Lund University via Coursera
This course explores sustainable cities as engines for greening the economy in Europe and around the world. We place cities in the context of sustainable urban transformation and climate change. We connect the key trends of urbanization, decarbonisation and sustainability.
★★★★★ (53 ratings)

Greening the Economy: Lessons from Scandinavia
Lund University via Coursera
This course will explore greening the economy on four levels – individual, business, city, and nation. We will look at the relationships between these levels and give many practical examples of the complexities and solutions across the levels.
★★★★☆ (7 ratings)

Business Opportunities and Risks in a Globalized Economy
IE Business School via Coursera
This course is designed to help an investor, businessperson or economist approach macroeconomic, institutional and international data and derive information from the indicators that point to the types of opportunities and risks that they present.

Macroeconomics for a Sustainable Planet
SDG Academy via edX
Is it possible to develop a thriving global economy in an equitable and environmentally-resilient way?

Fair Wage Strategies in a Global Economy
Global Labour University via iversity
This course offers a mix of video lectures and interviews, readings, online resources and exercises to gain both knowledge and practical skills to understand the actual landscape of wage setting.

Global Strategy II: Doing Business in The Global Economy
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign via Coursera
Explore strategies for global business expansion, analyzing entry methods, market dynamics, and political complexities to make informed decisions and overcome challenges in the international marketplace.

More courses: You can find over 130 courses on SDG 8: Economic Growth here.

SDG 9: Sustainability Courses for Industry Innovation

SDG 9: Sustainability Courses for Industry Innovation

SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization, and foster innovation. 

Design Thinking for Innovation
University of Virginia via Coursera
Today innovation is everyone’s business. Whether you are a manager in a global corporation, an entrepreneur starting up, in a government role, or a teacher in an elementary school, everyone is expected to get lean – to do better with less.
★★★★★ (5 ratings)

Creativity, Innovation and Transformation
Pennsylvania State University via Coursera
Our lives are being disrupted by pandemics, global warming, wars, political chaos, and technological innovations. We must prepare for an unpredictable and unknown future – and this is the goal of the course on Creativity, Innovation and Transformation (CIT)!
★★★★☆ (5 ratings)

Global Health: An Interdisciplinary Overview
University of Geneva via Coursera
Interdisciplinary exploration of global health challenges, covering infectious diseases, NCDs, health systems, policy, innovation, and environmental impacts on well-being worldwide.
★★★★☆ (3 ratings)

Design Thinking for the Greater Good: Innovation in the Social Sector
University of Virginia via Coursera
Explore human-centered design thinking to solve social sector challenges. Learn tools and techniques to understand issues, generate ideas, and create impactful solutions in areas like healthcare, education, and government.
★★★☆☆ (2 ratings)

Urban Water – Innovations for Environmental Sustainability
The University of British Columbia via edX
Learn about innovative urban solutions to the global water crisis, with inspiring real-life examples from architects, engineers, planners, ecologists, and artists.
★★★★☆ (2 ratings)

Responsible Innovation: Ethics, Safety and Technology
Delft University of Technology via edX
How to deal with risks and ethical questions raised by development of new technologies.
★★★★☆ (1 rating)

Optimizing Diversity on Teams
University of Pennsylvania via Coursera
Learn to leverage diversity for team performance, innovation, and creativity. Discover strategies to overcome biases, handle conflicts, and create inclusive environments where differences flourish.

Climate Action in Biodiverse Landscapes
Wageningen University via edX
There is no planet B. It’s time to take effective climate action for which collaboration and innovation are key. This online course will boost your knowledge and skills to help you move from analysis to action in order to develop climate smart landscapes across the world.

Social Business Model and Planning for Social Innovation
Copenhagen Business School via Coursera
In this course we will take the social business opportunity that you have identified in the first course to a higher level. Specifically, you will develop a business model using the Business Model Canvas. Gradually you will also start writing your business plan.

Clean Power
Imperial College London via edX
Explore power sector reform, clean energy integration, and policy strategies for sustainable power generation, featuring expert insights and real-world case studies.

More courses: You can find over 150 courses on SDG 9: Industry Innovation here.

SDG 10: Sustainability Courses for Global Inequality

SDG 10: Sustainability Courses for Global Inequality

SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
Reduce inequality within and among countries. 

Challenging Wealth and Income Inequality
The Open University via FutureLearn
Explore economic inequality’s impact on society, examining generational disparities, causes, and potential solutions. Gain insights into pension crises, housing issues, and actions for individuals and governments.
★★★☆☆ (1 rating)

Global Inequality
Wellesley College via edX
Explore how class, gender, and racial inequalities shape our personal and social worlds.

Concepts in Sustainable Development: An Introduction to the Key Issues
University of Leicester via FutureLearn
Explore sustainable development’s complexities, from energy flows to social issues, inequality, and collective action. Analyze global sustainability challenges and potential solutions through various perspectives.

Understanding and Solving Poverty and Inequality
University of York via FutureLearn
On this course, you’ll explore these concepts in detail and take a look at how these social issues could be solved.

Understanding Poverty and Inequality
SDG Academy via edX
Explore the many facets and faces of poverty and inequality, and discover opportunities for individuals, countries, and a global community to help ensure that no one is left behind.

Building Inclusive Cities: Tackling Urban Inequality and Segregation
Delft University of Technology via edX
Discover how urban design can help tackle inequality and socio-economic segregation in cities. Learn how to use analytical tools to measure these two phenomena and make urban design part of the solution.

Inequality and Democracy
Utrecht University via Coursera
Explore the complex relationship between economic inequality and democracy, examining key issues like lobbying, tax avoidance, and alternative economic systems through an interdisciplinary lens.

COVID-19 & Society: Inequality in Global Pandemics
The University of British Columbia via edX
Explore societal impacts of COVID-19 through expert lectures on health inequity, ageism, racism, climate change, and frontline workers. Gain insights for a collaborative global response to pandemics.

Measuring Economic Inequality in Today’s World
University of London via FutureLearn
Learn to analyse data related to economic inequality, and present it in a way that can foster government policy change.

More courses: You can find over 110 courses on SDG 10: Global Inequality here.

SDG 11: Sustainability Courses for Smart Cities

SDG 11: Sustainability Courses for Smart Cities

SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable. 

Greening the Economy: Sustainable Cities
Lund University via Coursera
This course explores sustainable cities as engines for greening the economy in Europe and around the world. We place cities in the context of sustainable urban transformation and climate change. We connect the key trends of urbanization, decarbonisation and sustainability.
★★★★★ (53 ratings)

Sustainable Cities
SDG Academy via edX
Learn how government, the private sector, and other actors can support sustainable urban development
★★★★★ (3 ratings)

Cities are back in town : urban sociology for a globalizing urban world
Institut d’Etudes Politiques de Paris via Coursera
Explore urban sociology through various city models, from European to digital, analyzing contemporary urban developments and their societal impacts in a globalizing world.
★★★★★ (2 ratings)

Smart Cities – Management of Smart Urban Infrastructures
École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne via Coursera
Learn about Smart Cities within the context of management of urban infrastructures. The introduction of Smart urban technologies into legacy infrastructures has resulted in numerous challenges and opportunities for contemporary cities and will continue to do so.
★★★★☆ (2 ratings)

Sustainable Urban Development
Delft University of Technology via edX
Learn why cities are key in resolving global urbanization and sustainability challenges and how you can engineer tomorrow’s cities today.
★★★★★ (1 rating)

Co-Creating Sustainable Cities
Delft University of Technology via edX
Explore sustainable urban development through citizen engagement, technology, and policy. Learn from global case studies and create action plans for your community.
★★★★★ (1 rating)

Smart Cities for Sustainable Development
Online Learning Campus – World Bank Group via edX
Explore innovative approaches to urban development using data, technology, and stakeholder collaboration for sustainable, efficient, and citizen-centric cities that address modern challenges.
★★★★★ (1 rating)

Ecodesign for Cities and Suburbs
The University of British Columbia via edX
Using real examples, learn how ecology can guide urban design to avert environmental disasters and improve people’s lives.

Cities and the Challenge of Sustainable Development
SDG Academy via edX
What is a sustainable city? Learn the basics here.

Urban Design for the Public Good: Dutch Urbanism
Delft University of Technology via edX
Through a unique Dutch approach learn how to design landscapes and cities in response to social and environmental challenges.

Sustainable Urban Environments
Trinity College via edX
Learn how integrated systems and individual actions can shape sustainable cities, generating higher quality of life for the future.

Macroeconomics for a Sustainable Planet
SDG Academy via edX
Is it possible to develop a thriving global economy in an equitable and environmentally-resilient way?

Rethink the City: New approaches to Global and Local Urban Challenges
Delft University of Technology via edX
How do you plan future cities? Explore alternative theories and innovative solutions for urban challenges in the global south.

Planning for Climate Change in African Cities
Erasmus University Rotterdam via Coursera
The Course on Planning for Climate Change in African Cities provides the foundation for understanding cities’ exposure and sensitivity to climate change, and how cities can manage these impacts in the face of growing uncertainty.

The Challenge of Clean Growth and Clean Cities
Manchester Metropolitan University via FutureLearn
Explore decarbonisation strategies, green skills, and clean growth technologies. Learn about hydrogen networks, fuel cells, and their impact on climate change and sustainable industrial development.

More courses: You can find over 60 courses on SDG 11: Smart Cities here.

SDG 12: Sustainability Courses for Responsible Production and Consumption

SDG 12: Sustainability Courses for Responsible Production and Consumption

SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns. 

A Business Approach to Sustainable Landscape Restoration
Erasmus University Rotterdam via Coursera
Explore business-driven landscape restoration strategies to address land degradation. Learn economic valuation, partnership building, and sustainable business models for creating value through ecosystem restoration.

Fair Wage Strategies in a Global Economy
Global Labour University via iversity
This course offers a mix of video lectures and interviews, readings, online resources and exercises to gain both knowledge and practical skills to understand the actual landscape of wage setting.

Sustainable Development: The Post-Capitalist Order
SDG Academy via edX
Explore the transition from global capitalism to sustainable development, examining economic history, market dynamics, social injustices, and transformative strategies for a more equitable and environmentally conscious world order.

Cities and Consumption: Urban Sustainability and the Sharing Economy
Lund University via Coursera
This course explores cities, consumption and the sharing economy in Europe and around the world. We connect together the key themes of the sharing economy, cities, governance, consumption and urban sustainability.

From the Ground Up: Managing and Preserving Our Terrestrial Ecosystems
SDG Academy via edX
How can we preserve, restore, manage and sustainably use terrestrial ecosystems? Join us as we explore this question in the Brazilian Amazon and around the world.

Understanding and Solving Poverty and Inequality
University of York via FutureLearn
On this course, you’ll explore these concepts in detail and take a look at how these social issues could be solved.

Laudato si’: On Care for Our Common Home
SDG Academy via edX
A mini-course on the urgent call to action: protect the earth and its inhabitants from ruin.

Governance for Transboundary Freshwater Security
SDG Academy via edX
This course provides understandings of transboundary freshwater governance in theory and practice. Topics include transboundary freshwater security, international water law, water diplomacy, negotiations, institutions, management tools, and sustainable finance.

The Challenge of World Poverty
Massachusetts Institute of Technology via MIT OpenCourseWare
This is a course for those who are interested in the challenge posed by massive and persistent world poverty, and are hopeful that economists might have something useful to say about this challenge.

More courses: You can find over 70 courses on SDG 12: Responsible Production & Consumption here.

SDG 13: Sustainability Courses for Climate Change

SDG 13: Sustainability Courses for Climate Change

SDG 13: Climate Action
Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts 

Greening the Economy: Sustainable Cities
Lund University via Coursera
This course explores sustainable cities as engines for greening the economy in Europe and around the world. We place cities in the context of sustainable urban transformation and climate change. We connect the key trends of urbanization, decarbonisation and sustainability.
★★★★★ (53 ratings)

Climate Change Mitigation in Developing Countries
University of Cape Town via Coursera
This course challenges you to consider how one might lift societies out of poverty while also mitigating greenhouse gas emissions. We explore the inherent complexity of developing country governments wanting to grow their economies in a climate friendly way.
★★★★★ (35 ratings)

The Health Effects of Climate Change
Harvard University via edX
Learn how global warming impacts human health, and the ways we can diminish those impacts.
★★★★★ (9 ratings)

Climate Change Science and Negotiations
SDG Academy via edX
Humanity is up against a tight timeline to address climate change. Learn how we can deeply decarbonize the global energy systems, and put the world on a 2°C pathway.
★★★★☆ (9 ratings)

The Science Advisory Toolbox for Environmental Management
University System of Maryland via edX
Develop your own science and management strategy while viewing the environment through a multicultural lens. Learn how science advocacy can drive effective environmental and sustainability decision-making.
★★★★★ (9 ratings)

Global Warming I: The Science and Modeling of Climate Change
The University of Chicago via Coursera
Explore the science of global warming, from basic physics to climate models, greenhouse gases, and potential impacts. Gain insights into Earth’s climate system and human influence on it.
★★★★☆ (8 ratings)

Climate Action: Solutions for a Changing Planet
SDG Academy via edX
How do we turn commitments to reducing the effects of climate change into action?
★★★★★ (2 ratings)

The Sustainable Development Goals – A global, transdisciplinary vision for the future
University of Copenhagen via Coursera
Explore the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, their history, implementation, and global impact. Gain insights on climate action, planetary boundaries, and social sustainability from experts.
★★★★★ (2 ratings)

Global Energy and Climate Policy
SOAS University of London via Coursera
The Global Energy and Climate Policy course offers an introduction to the theoretical and practical understanding of how energy and climate change policies are designed, shaped, advocated and implemented.
★★★★★ (2 ratings)

Global Warming Science
Massachusetts Institute of Technology via edX
Learn about the physics, chemistry, biology, and geology of the earth’s climate system.
★★★★★ (1 rating)

Water Resources Management and Policy
University of Geneva via Coursera
Water management today is faced with new challenges such as climate change or the effects of human activity. Public and private stakeholders who are active in this field must develop new ways to better manage the water cycle “as a whole”.
★★★★☆ (1 rating)

Oceanography: a key to better understand our world
University of Barcelona via Coursera
Explore oceanography fundamentals, from ocean floor formation to satellite analysis systems. Learn about water properties, circulation patterns, and the ocean’s role in global climate, enhancing your understanding of marine environments.
★☆☆☆☆ (1 rating)

Climate Action in Biodiverse Landscapes
Wageningen University via edX
There is no planet B. It’s time to take effective climate action for which collaboration and innovation are key. This online course will boost your knowledge and skills to help you move from analysis to action in order to develop climate smart landscapes across the world.

Climate Change and Health: From Science to Action
Yale University via Coursera
This specialization is for those who wish to understand the impact of climate change on health and are committed to protecting the health of populations using the knowledge and skills they will acquire.

Act on Climate: Steps to Individual, Community, and Political Action
University of Michigan via Coursera
Learn to address climate change through individual, community, and political actions. Explore food, energy, transportation, and urban design strategies. Develop a personal climate action plan and gain empowerment for ongoing impact.

Planning for Climate Change in African Cities
Erasmus University Rotterdam via Coursera
The Course on Planning for Climate Change in African Cities provides the foundation for understanding cities’ exposure and sensitivity to climate change, and how cities can manage these impacts in the face of growing uncertainty.

Climate Change Education
Inter-American Development Bank via edX
Learn how to work with your students to help them explore climate change through the use of interactive and engaging activities. These activities are designed for students at the primary and secondary levels.

Sustainable Business: Big Issues, Big Changes
University of Colorado System via Coursera
This class looks at the big issues companies are fixing – climate change, water, worker satisfaction and supply chain issues. You will learn tools to help your company address these issues intelligently.

Climate Change, Sustainability, and Global Public Health
University of Michigan via Coursera
The third course of the Impacts of the Environment on Global Public Health specialization will introduce you to two major environmental health challenges facing the world today.

Climate Change: The Science and Global Impact
SDG Academy via edX
We need to understand the science behind global warming to avoid the most damaging and irreversible climate change impacts on people and planet.

Science and Engineering of Climate Change
EDHEC Business School via Coursera
Explore the science of climate change, its impacts, and mitigation strategies. Learn about climate models, greenhouse gases, and technologies for reducing carbon emissions and atmospheric concentrations.

Climate Solutions
University of Edinburgh via edX
We are in a Climate Emergency. The actions we all choose to take over the next decade will decide whether we succeed or fail to meet the biggest challenge to our civilisation in the 21st century. Learn how you can help tackle climate change.

Economics and Policies of Climate Change
EDHEC Business School via Coursera
This MOOC will help you understand how economists try to answer these questions and find the optimal course of action. Most important, it will give you the conceptual tools to draw your own conclusions.

Nature-based Solutions for Disaster and Climate Resilience
SDG Academy via edX
What are ‘Nature-based solutions’, or NbS? How can they help build resilience to disasters and climate change impacts? Why is NbS relevant? How can I apply NbS in my work and everyday life?

More courses: You can find over 140 courses on SDG 13: Climate Change here.

SDG 14: Sustainability Courses for Ocean Ecosystem

SDG 14: Sustainability Courses for Ocean Ecosystem

SDG 14: Life Below Water
Conserve and sustainably use oceans, seas, and marine resources for sustainable development. 

Global Environmental Management
Technical University of Denmark (DTU) via Coursera
Explore global environmental trends, management systems, and sustainable technologies for water, waste, and soil. Gain insights into effective approaches for a sustainable future.
★★★★★ (5 ratings)

International Water Law
University of Geneva via Coursera
Explore the principles, evolution, and dispute resolution mechanisms of international water law, focusing on transboundary freshwater management and protection across rivers, lakes, and aquifers.
★★★★★ (3 ratings)

Oceanography: a key to better understand our world
University of Barcelona via Coursera
Explore oceanography fundamentals, from ocean floor formation to satellite analysis systems. Learn about water properties, circulation patterns, and the ocean’s role in global climate, enhancing your understanding of marine environments.
★☆☆☆☆ (1 rating)

GREENTECH: Mainstreaming Technologies in Green, Blue and Clean Operations
Online Learning Campus – World Bank Group via edX
Explore innovative technologies for sustainable environmental management, covering clean air and water, biodiversity conservation, ocean health, and integrated approaches to tackle global ecological challenges.

More courses: You can find over 70 courses on SDG 14: Ocean Ecosystem here.

SDG 15: Sustainability Courses for Terrestrial Ecosystem

SDG 15: Sustainability Courses for Terrestrial Ecosystem

SDG 15: Life on Land
Protect, restore, and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and reverse land degradation and biodiversity loss. 

The Science Advisory Toolbox for Environmental Management
University System of Maryland via edX
Develop your own science and management strategy while viewing the environment through a multicultural lens. Learn how science advocacy can drive effective environmental and sustainability decision-making.
★★★★★ (9 ratings)

Tropical coastal ecosystems
University of Queensland via edX
Take the challenge and understand problems and solutions to managing tropical coastal ecosystems.
★★★★★ (7 ratings)

Climate Action in Biodiverse Landscapes
Wageningen University via edX
There is no planet B. It’s time to take effective climate action for which collaboration and innovation are key. This online course will boost your knowledge and skills to help you move from analysis to action in order to develop climate smart landscapes across the world.

A Business Approach to Sustainable Landscape Restoration
Erasmus University Rotterdam via Coursera
Explore business-driven landscape restoration strategies to address land degradation. Learn economic valuation, partnership building, and sustainable business models for creating value through ecosystem restoration.

Achieving Sustainable Development
Trinity College Dublin via FutureLearn
Explore UN Sustainable Development Goals’ impact on global issues like peace, health, and urbanization. Critically examine sustainability’s effects on communities and real lives worldwide.

Landscape Leadership: Catalyse Sustainable Development in Landscapes
Wageningen University via edX
Learn how to become a landscape leader! Get the skills to mobilise human resources, manage and resolve conflict and facilitate and motivate stakeholders to achieve SDG-focused sustainable change.

Landscape Finance: Investing in Innovation for Sustainable Landscapes
Wageningen University via edX
Bridge the gap between finance and landscape! Learn to navigate the web of landscape financial flows, mechanisms and requirements toward developing cutting-edge business cases and models for sustainable development in landscapes.

Landscape Governance: Collaborating Across Sectors and Scales
Wageningen University via edX
Finding local solutions to global challenges relies on collaboration & innovation. Equip yourself with the knowledge & skills to design and implement effective landscape governance that harnesses the power of place for sustainable landscape solutions.

Business Model Innovation for Sustainable Landscape Restoration
Erasmus University Rotterdam via Coursera
Innovative business model design for landscape restoration, focusing on 4 returns: natural, social, inspirational, and financial capital. Learn to create sustainable solutions through systems thinking and stakeholder engagement.

Sustainable & Inclusive Landscapes
Wageningen University via edX
Explore integrated landscape approaches to address complex global challenges. Learn about finance, governance, leadership, and climate action for sustainable development and transformative change.

More courses: You can find over 110 courses on SDG 15: Terrestrial Ecosystem here.

SDG 16: Sustainability Courses for Humane Society

SDG 16: Sustainability Courses for Humane Society

SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions
Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable, and inclusive institutions at all levels 

Environmental Security and Sustaining Peace
SDG Academy via edX
Natural resources and the environment as a vehicle for peace.

Achieving Sustainable Development
Trinity College Dublin via FutureLearn
Explore UN Sustainable Development Goals’ impact on global issues like peace, health, and urbanization. Critically examine sustainability’s effects on communities and real lives worldwide.

Industrial Policy in the 21st Century: The Challenge for Africa
SDG Academy via edX
Why is there so little industry in Africa? Does it matter? What can we do about it? Hear from economist John Page about the continent’s options for industrialization and the future of economic growth in Africa.

Regulating Global Supply Chains to Empower Workers
Global Labour University via iversity
This FREE online course discusses key policy proposals for regulating global supply chains to empower workers and their organisations. The course offers a combination of lectures, reading materials and zoom workshops with top experts from academia and the labour sector.

More courses: You can find over 130 courses on SDG 16: Humane Society here.

SDG 17: Sustainability Courses for Global Partnership

SDG 17: Sustainability Courses for Global Partnership

SDG 17: Partnership for the Goals
Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the global partnership for sustainable development. 

Environmental Gamechanger – Lead the Way to Sustainable Development
Wageningen University via edX
Develop essential skills for sustainability science, apply them to a real-world project in your environment, and become an agent of sustainable change through interactive learning and practical application.
★★★★★ (7 ratings)

Global Energy and Climate Policy
SOAS University of London via Coursera
The Global Energy and Climate Policy course offers an introduction to the theoretical and practical understanding of how energy and climate change policies are designed, shaped, advocated and implemented.
★★★★★ (2 ratings)

Driving business towards the Sustainable Development Goals
Erasmus University Rotterdam via Coursera
Explore how businesses can contribute to the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, focusing on environmental protection, societal challenges, economic growth, and partnerships for a sustainable future.
★★★★★ (2 ratings)

Global Trends for Business and Society
University of Pennsylvania via Coursera
In this course, you’ll learn to analyze rapidly changing global trends, their effects on consumer and labor markets, financial systems, and geopolitical relationships among countries all over the world.
★★★★★ (1 rating)

Impact Measurement & Management for the SDGs
Duke University via Coursera
Learn to measure and manage business impact on people and planet, aligning with SDGs and global standards. Master core concepts in impact management for sustainable development.
★★★★★ (1 rating)

Global Strategy I: How The Global Economy Works
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign via Coursera
Explore globalization’s complexities, international trade regulations, and multinational operations. Gain insights into global economic forces, cross-cultural management, and strategies for navigating the modern business landscape.
★★★☆☆ (1 rating)

Social Business Model and Planning for Social Innovation
Copenhagen Business School via Coursera
In this course we will take the social business opportunity that you have identified in the first course to a higher level. Specifically, you will develop a business model using the Business Model Canvas. Gradually you will also start writing your business plan.

Business Opportunities and Risks in a Globalized Economy
IE Business School via Coursera
This course is designed to help an investor, businessperson or economist approach macroeconomic, institutional and international data and derive information from the indicators that point to the types of opportunities and risks that they present.

Creating a Social Business
Yunus Social Business via Coursera
This course is primarily aimed at learners interested in knowing about and running a social business. An ideal learner could be a student, social entrepreneur, social intrapreneur, or a corporate professional interested in social business.

First Steps in Making the Business Case for Sustainability
University of Colorado System via Coursera
The Business School at the University of Colorado Denver wants to help you become a change agent for sustainable business. We hope that with the skills and concepts you gain from this specialization that you will help your business reduce its social and environmental impact

Sustainable Business: Big Issues, Big Changes
University of Colorado System via Coursera
This class looks at the big issues companies are fixing – climate change, water, worker satisfaction and supply chain issues. You will learn tools to help your company address these issues intelligently.

Sustainable Business Enterprises
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign via Coursera
This course will explore current challenges and opportunities facing firms in the area of environmental sustainability. It will begin with an introduction to sustainability, with a particular focus on how environmental sustainability is relevant to business.

A Business Approach to Sustainable Landscape Restoration
Erasmus University Rotterdam via Coursera
Explore business-driven landscape restoration strategies to address land degradation. Learn economic valuation, partnership building, and sustainable business models for creating value through ecosystem restoration.

Economics and Policies of Climate Change
EDHEC Business School via Coursera
This MOOC will help you understand how economists try to answer these questions and find the optimal course of action. Most important, it will give you the conceptual tools to draw your own conclusions.

Business Model Innovation for Sustainable Landscape Restoration
Erasmus University Rotterdam via Coursera
Innovative business model design for landscape restoration, focusing on 4 returns: natural, social, inspirational, and financial capital. Learn to create sustainable solutions through systems thinking and stakeholder engagement.

Global Strategy II: Doing Business in The Global Economy
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign via Coursera
Explore strategies for global business expansion, analyzing entry methods, market dynamics, and political complexities to make informed decisions and overcome challenges in the international marketplace.

More courses: You can find over 120 courses on SDG 17: Global Partnership here.

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Rui Ma

With a background in Health Statistics and Sociology, she has built a career path in Data Analytics.
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Manoel Cortes Mendez

Software engineer and online graduate student in computer science passionate about education, technology, and their intersection.
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Pat Bowden

Online learning specialist, still learning after 200+ online courses completed since 2012. Class Central customer support and help since 2018. I am keen to help others make the most of online learning, so I set up a website:  www.onlinelearningsuccess.org

Comments 3

  1. Kalule Robert-

    This is a great approach towards education. This is what I call strategic learning, and this is the way to change our world.

    Reply
  2. Valeria

    Hi! We have just launched the MOOC “Higher Education for Sustainable Development Goals” available on Polimi Open Knowledge and released in cc by.
    https://www.pok.polimi.it/courses/course-v1:Polimi+HE4SDGs+2019_M10/about

    Reply
  3. David Ekefre

    This is a wonderful comprehensive list. i personally have done about 5 of the courses above.

    Reply

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