Five free courses for Chevening leaders shaping a sustainable future

Sustainability challenges are increasingly shaping policy, business, and development agendas worldwide. This selection of five free online courses offers Chevening applicants, scholars, and alumni the opportunity to explore key topics including climate mitigation, renewable energy, and sustainable development practice.

Renewable Energy and Development (Alison) 

Learn how energy policies, regulations, and frameworks support sustainable development and green practices. 

This course explores sustainable development through energy management, covering urban planning, green building practices, and global sustainability solutions. It provides a broad understanding of how energy systems can support long-term environmental and economic goals. 

Best for: Learners interested in sustainability, energy policy, environmental planning, and green development practices. 

Scaling Impact for Sustainable Development (edX) 

Master the principles of scaling sustainable development impact through real-world case studies and applied frameworks. 

Developed by the International Development Research Centre (IDRC) and offered through the SDG Academy, this course focuses on centring people, communities, and the planet in decision-making. It introduces four guiding principles for scaling impact and examines why traditional development models often fall short. 

Best for: Researchers, policymakers, development practitioners, funders, and students working in sustainable and equitable development. 

Transforming Our World: Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG AcademyX) (edX) 

Explore the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the global roadmap for achieving them. 

This short, self-paced mini-series led by Professor Jeffrey Sachs examines the SDGs as a call to action for governments, businesses, universities, and civil society. It provides a structured overview of global development priorities and pathways to achieving sustainable progress. 

Best for: Students and professionals interested in global policy, development studies, and the UN Sustainable Development Goals. 

Monitoring and Evaluation of Climate Mitigation Initiatives (UN SDG:Learn) 

Build practical skills in greenhouse gas (GHG) reporting, monitoring, and climate mitigation programme design. 

This course supports policymakers and practitioners in designing and implementing GHG reporting systems at national and sector levels. It covers MRV (Monitoring, Reporting, and Verification), legal frameworks, stakeholder engagement, and real-world case studies of climate reporting systems. 

Best for: Government officials, policymakers, climate professionals, carbon market practitioners, and development planners. 

Sustainability in Corporations and Businesses (Alison) 

Understand how businesses can build and maintain sustainable operating models. 

This course introduces the concept of sustainability in business, including responsible resource use, sustainable industry practices, and strategies for embedding sustainability into corporate models. It helps learners explore how organisations can operate more responsibly while remaining economically viable. 

Best for: Entrepreneurs, business students, managers, and professionals interested in corporate sustainability and responsible business practices. 

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