STUDENT RESOURCES

Former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has called climate change the “defining challenge of our time” and in many countries the impacts of it are already felt. At the same time, it is still very difficult for many people not working directly on the subject to understand the basics of climate change. This course has been designed to provide answers to basic questions about climate change.

 

Learning outcome:

After completing the course, participants will be able to:

· Explain the fundamentals of climate change science

· Present the international climate change legal and policy framework and explain key issues under negotiation.

· Describe the expected consequences of climate change and the role of adaptation.

· Provide a rationale for climate change mitigation and propose actions in key sectors.

· Identify the main streams of climate change finance.

· Outline basic elements of planning processes to deliver climate change action.

· Analyse principal challenges and opportunities for climate change action.

 

Format: Online

· Introductory level

· Language: English

· 6 modules;

1. What is climate change and how does it affect us?

2. How to adapt to climate change?

3. How to mitigate climate change?

4. How to plan and finance action on climate change?

5. How do climate change negotiations work?

6. How to tackle climate change in practice?

· Each module takes two hours to complete and features videos, lessons, and exercises that give you an overview of a different aspect of climate change!

 

Assessment:

· 10 multiple-choice questions at the end of each module

· 70% or higher score on the final quiz

· Complete 70% of the activities

 

Certification:

Certificate of Completion will be available upon successful completion of the course and is issued by UNITAR United Nations Institute for Training and Research 

 

Course provided through UN Climate Change Learning Partnership (Access may not be available in all countries)

According to the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization, 30% of food is wasted globally across the supply chain, contributing 8% of total global greenhouse gas emissions and generating economic losses of around 990 billion USD per year (FAO 2015). At the same time, almost half a billion of the world’s poorest suffer from malnutrition (WHO, 2020).
The course aims to raise awareness and build capacities for effective food waste prevention at different stages of the food chain, including processing and manufacturing, retail, restaurants and other food services. The course is especially geared towards learners from emerging economies, such as China, Brazil, South Africa, and India, where consumption habits are quickly changing.
 

Learning outcome:
After completing the course, you will be able to:
•    Explain how much food is wasted every year and the impact it has on people, the environment, and the economy.
•    Define the role you and other stakeholders play in food waste prevention.
•    Identify ways to measure and account for food waste at various stages of the food chain.
•    Describe effective measures to prevent food waste throughout the food chain.
•    Outline measures to minimize food waste wherever prevention is not possible.

By spreading knowledge on how to prevent food waste, the course contributes to achieving Sustainable Development Goal 12.3: Halve food waste by 50% by 2030.

Format: Online
•    Introductory level
•    Language: English
•    5 modules:
1.    The State of Play
2.    Food Waste in Manufacturing
3.    Food Waste in Retail
4.    Food Waste in the Service Industry
5.    Food Waste in Households

Assessment: 
•    Completion of interactive problem-solving scenarios
•    70% or higher in final quiz

Certification:
Certificate of Completion will be available upon successful completion of the course and is issued by UNITAR United Nations Institute for Training and Research

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Course provided through UN Climate Change Learning Partnership (Access may not be available in all countries)
 

Transitioning to a circular economy requires a shift away from current wasteful practices, driven in large by a consumption-focused economy. This e-course supports learning on circular economy in the waste sector in South Africa and provides participants with an introduction to key concepts and application opportunities.

Learning outcome:
After completing the course, participants will be able to:
•    Explain what circular economy is, including main principles, objectives and benefits
•    Identify key issues and economic opportunities in the South African waste sector
•    Describe applications of circularity in the waste sector
•    Describe the current legislative and regulatory framework surrounding waste management
•    Identify steps necessary to further the transition to the circular waste economy going forward
 

Textbook: 
This course is based on the “Circular Economy Guideline for the Waste Sector”, link to download.
 

Format: Online
•    Introductory level
•    Language: English
•    3 modules, 1.5 hours per module
1.    Introduction to Circular Economy: Definition and Rationale
2.    Opportunities for Circularity I the Waste Sector
3.    Enabling Circular Waste Economy in South Africa

Assessment: 
•    10 multiple choice questions at the end of each module
•    70% or higher in final assessment of 10 multiple choice questions
 

Certification:
Certificate of Completion will be available upon successful completion of the course and is issued by UNITAR United Nations Institute for Training and Research

Course provided through UN Climate Change Learning Partnership (Access may not be available in all countries)

The unsustainable nature of our generation and disposal of e-waste in a globalized world causes serious concerns for resource efficiency, human health, and environmental impact. E-Waste is growing exponentially because of technological innovations also introducing new gadgets and the resulting global consumer demand continues to increase. Moreover, shorter replacement cycles are contributing to the growth of e-waste.

The lack of awareness and capabilities to prevent, reuse and recycle e-waste is a main factor contributing to the challenge. The objective of this course is to raise awareness about the negative impact of e-waste and provide learners with knowledge and resources to help them minimize their contribution to e-waste.

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Learning outcome:
By the end of the course learners will be able to:
•    Discuss what electronic waste is and the diverse impacts it has
•    Describe the role individuals, companies, and authorities play in reducing e-waste
•    Identify ways for consumers to support circularity, including by influencing industry players and lawmakers
•    Highlight individual and community actions to tackle and prevent e-waste.

Format: Online
•    Introductory level
•    Language: English
•    4 modules;
1.    The State of Play
2.    Recycling
3.    Reuse & Repair
4.    Reduce

Assessment: 
•    Participants need to score 70% or higher on the final quiz

Certification:
Certificate of Completion will be available upon successful completion of the course and is issued by UNITAR United Nations Institute for Training and Research

Course provided through UN Climate Change Learning Partnership (Access may not be available in all countries)

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