Brief Introduction
Join the transition towards a circular economy considering economic, supply chain, social, technical, managerial and environmental aspects.
Description
Do you want to contribute to a more sustainable society? Tackle the challenges in the transition towards a circular economy? In this course you will analyse what it takes to create a circular economy including sustainable supply chains.
The transition towards a circular economy is one of the biggest challenges in order to create a more sustainable society. This transition requires circular thinking and an interdisciplinary approach, combining socio-technical, managerial, and environmental considerations.
Right now we design products from cradle to grave: from production to consumption to waste, which is a linear model. But we should design products from cradle to cradle: in a closed loop whereby they don't become waste, but valuable resources again. And when we start thinking in circles, we might as well try to reinvent not just supply chains, but entire systems. Because that's what we have been doing with sustainability: we have been departing from the status quo, while cradle to cradle and circular pushes us to think outside the box.
Cradle to Cradle celebrates abundance; it recognizes that people, just like ants and trees, are abundant and have a large impact on their environment. The challenge is to make this impact a positive one and we invite you to join this challenge!
In the MOOC Circular Economy: An Interdisciplinary Approach, we therefore take a systems approach to the circular economy, considering different stakeholder perspectives, their incentive structures, and their impact on circular alternatives.
The circular solutions will be assessed by using applied, as well as emerging, technologies. You will learn how to use life cycle assessment and agent-based modelling to assess the socio-technical and manageable challenges and environmental benefits of alternative solutions.
Join the MicroMasters Program
This MOOC is part of two MicroMasters Programs, Economics and Policies for a Circular Bio-Economy and Business and Operations for a Circular Bio-Economy.
Both programmes prepare you for the transition from fossil to renewable, biobased resources and consist of 3 courses and a final project; the capstone:
Knowledge
- Understand the concept of a circular economy
- Understand how a circular economy deviates from the current linear system
- Analyse and develop complex circular systems using a systems thinking approach
- Assess the use of Life Cycle Assessment and Agent Based Modelling
- Formulate improvements for a transition towards a circular design
- Learn how to use and apply complexity aspects & agent-based modelling
Asian Environmental Humanities: Landscapes in Transition
- 4.7
-
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
You will learn about concepts of landscape in Asian religions, philosophy, social sciences, history and the arts and their reverberation in selected environmental projects in China, India and Japan....
Capstone Economics and Policies for a Circular Economy
- 0.0
-
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
This capstone project is the final part of the MicroMasters programme Economics and Policies for a Circular Economy. The final product in this capstone project is a written report....
State, Law and the Economy I
- 0.0
-
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
Part One of a four-part course on the economic analysis of the state, law, and the economy and their interrelationships. 本課程共有四部份，關於國家、法律和經濟的經濟分析及其相互的關係。 第一部份課程介紹國家的契約性質、集體行動的邏輯、自由，與及民主國家的理論。...
Children's Human Rights - An Interdisciplinary Introduction
- 4.7
-
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
Successful international strategies and programs promoting children’s rights will be highlighted, as well as the role of key actors involved in international organizations working in this field....
