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Study graduate certificate online with Curtin University through Open Universities Australia. Explore all degrees, subjects and short courses now.

This degree was previously known as Graduate Certificate in Sustainability and Climate Policy.This course introduces existing and emerging environment and climate-related issues, including urbanisation, transportation, water and energy use, food, circular economy and waste management. It is designed to complement existing knowledge gained from an undergraduate qualification in any recognised area, including business, engineering, humanities, education, natural sciences, social sciences and health sciences. The course also combines a general qualification with more specific educational opportunities, enabling students to learn in a way that best suits the current needs and priorities to tackle the global climate emergency.

Understand the relationship between global and local sustainability issues by developing social research and analysis skills. Learn to apply international best practice sustainability concepts to find a career in the public and private sectors. 

Graduate Certificate in Environment and Climate Emergency

This degree is designed to provide prospective students upskilling in the discipline of geography and to increase their employability in fields such as education, community development, social planning, environmental management and associated consultancy based work. It requires no prior knowledge of geography. The course allows existing teachers to specialise in Geography.

Analyse the environmental, social and economic aspects of human activity. Delve into climate change, cultural diversity, indigenous perspectives and global best practice. Work in planning, development, environmental management, and agriculture.

Graduate Certificate in Geography

Sustainability, Climate Change and Economics

Introduction to Sustainable Design for Houses

Art and the Environment

Living with Fire

Sustainability

Writing, Culture and Ecology

Future Cities

Environmental Management

Climate Change Economics and Policy

Sustainability Accounting and Reporting

This subject was previously known as Sustainable Cities. This subject examines various notions of cities within a sustainability framework. Students will explore urbanisation trends in the context of existing and emerging sustainability challenges by reviewing cities worldwide. Its core focus is the issue of automobile dependence in cities and the associated land use, environmental, social, economic and urban design issues surrounding it. Please Note: If it’s your first time studying a Curtin University subject you’ll need to complete their compulsory ‘Academic Integrity Program’. It only takes two hours to complete online, and provides you with vital information about studying with Curtin University. The Academic Integrity Program is compulsory, so if it’s not completed your subject grades will be withheld.Find out more about the <a href="https://www.curtin.edu.au/students/essentials/rights/academic-integrity/aip/" target="_blank">Academic Integrity module</a>.

Define what it is that makes a city sustainable or unsustainable.Look into transport, environmental, urban design and economic concerns. Address cities’ dependence on cars, trucks and motorcycles. Discuss the cities that are making an effort go green.

This innovative approach to economics focuses on policy implementation for climate action and sustainable development. It moves beyond conventional approaches by reframing economics, accounting and policy within sustainability principles, parameters and processes, so that climate-friendly actions and sustainable behaviours are rewarded, rather than penalised. The focus is on implementation through the re-evaluation of economic activities, the restructuring of accounting narratives, and the used of monitoring and management regimes that support continuous sustainability learning. The subject provides new relevance for many existing methods currently marginalised in conventional policy processes. Students will learn ways of thinking and techniques that utilise new information system technologies. Socio-cultural and biophysical understandings from other sciences are integrated in a range of theoretical and practical perspectives on complex issues that have local and international relevance. The skills developed will enhance the employment prospects for students with organisations that are keen to move beyond business-as-usual to embrace the new world of sustainability-informed accounting, governance, management and policy.
Please Note:  If it’s your first time studying a Curtin University subject you’ll need to complete their compulsory ‘Academic Integrity Program’. It only takes two hours to complete online, and provides you with vital information about studying with Curtin University. The Academic Integrity Program is compulsory, so if it’s not completed your subject grades will be withheld.
Find out more about the <a href="https://www.curtin.edu.au/students/essentials/rights/academic-integrity/aip/" target="_blank">Academic Integrity module</a>.

Identify where economics crosses paths with policies for climate action and sustainable development.Strip economic approaches to sustainability down to their essence. Unpack the taxation system. Look at local and global climate change initiatives.

The subject will provide an overview of the concepts and principles of sustainable waste management. A critical approach to theories, techniques and methods of sustainable waste and resource management will be introduced in the course to enhance students’ knowledge and understanding on waste management. The subject will cover the subject areas of perceptions of waste, classification and characterization of waste, waste audit, 3R principles, waste collection, transportation, treatment technologies and safe disposal, performance evaluation, and strategy and policy regulation. In addition, the subject will cover the emerging concept of waste management such as ‘zero-waste’ in the context of circular economy.Please Note: If it’s your first time studying a Curtin University subject you’ll need to complete their compulsory ‘Academic Integrity Program’. It only takes two hours to complete online, and provides you with vital information about studying with Curtin University. The Academic Integrity Program is compulsory, so if it’s not completed your subject grades will be withheld.Find out more about the <a href="https://www.curtin.edu.au/students/essentials/rights/academic-integrity/aip/" target="_blank">Academic Integrity module</a>.

Explore how waste should be handled within the community to reduce its impact on the environment. Understand how waste is collected, transported and treated in Australia and across the world. Learn about better waste management practices.

Sustainable Waste Management

This subject was previously known as Pathways to Sustainability. This subject presents a new set of processes that underpin the movement toward a climate resilient society. Ontologies and epistemologies likely to generate sustainability praxis are examined. Pathways are explored that enable the development and implementation of sustainability, such as: transition management, reflexive governance, cultural value analysis, sustainability policy, sustainability mapping and sustainability planning. Students will develop both specific skills and understanding of the theories behind these skills. Please Note: If it’s your first time studying a Curtin University subject you’ll need to complete their compulsory ‘Academic Integrity Program’. It only takes two hours to complete online, and provides you with vital information about studying with Curtin University. The Academic Integrity Program is compulsory, so if it’s not completed your subject grades will be withheld.Find out more about the <a href="https://www.curtin.edu.au/students/essentials/rights/academic-integrity/aip/" target="_blank">Academic Integrity module</a>.

Set out to understand how you can improve sustainable practices.Distinguish various cultural, economic and ecological dimensions of sustainability. Take apart policy and critique it. Look to science fiction literature for visions of possible futures.

Pathways to a Climate Resilient Society

This subject was previously known as Topics in Sustainability.This subject enables students to understand, reflect and investigate some of the main sustainability problems (e.g. urbanisation, consumptions, greenhouse gas emissions) that the world faces now and in the future, including the relationships between these issues, and to research and put into professional practice the newly developed knowledge and skill.Please Note: If it’s your first time studying a Curtin University subject you’ll need to complete their compulsory ‘Academic Integrity Program’. It only takes two hours to complete online, and provides you with vital information about studying with Curtin University. The Academic Integrity Program is compulsory, so if it’s not completed your subject grades will be withheld.Find out more about the <a href="https://www.curtin.edu.au/students/essentials/rights/academic-integrity/aip/" target="_blank">Academic Integrity module</a>.

Tally up the greatest sustainability issues facing the world today. Predict what problems may arise in the future. Gain a theoretical perspective on topics such as population, climate and food production. Formulate your own policy solutions.

Introduction to Environment & Climate Emergency

This subject was previously known as Advanced Individual Project 2.Further development of project determined in consultation with supervisor(s) relating to the student’s field of specialisation.Please Note: If it’s your first time studying a Curtin University subject you’ll need to complete their compulsory ‘Academic Integrity Program’. It only takes two hours to complete online, and provides you with vital information about studying with Curtin University. The Academic Integrity Program is compulsory, so if it’s not completed your subject grades will be withheld.Find out more about the <a href="https://academicintegrity.curtin.edu.au/" target="_blank">Academic Integrity module</a>.

Continue to develop your dissertation into a key area of sustainability theory. Emphasise the themes and sub-themes that you uncover through your research. Frame a hypothesis and argue your point. Incorporate primary and secondary research sources.

Sustainability Dissertation 2

The development and completion of a research proposal determined in consultation with supervisor(s) relating to the student&#39;s field of specialisation. The research proposal includes an extensive study of the relevant literature and the appropriate design of research methodology.Please Note: If it’s your first time studying a Curtin University subject you’ll need to complete their compulsory ‘Academic Integrity Program’. It only takes two hours to complete online, and provides you with vital information about studying with Curtin University. The Academic Integrity Program is compulsory, so if it’s not completed your subject grades will be withheld.Find out more about the <a href="https://www.curtin.edu.au/students/essentials/rights/academic-integrity/aip/" target="_blank">Academic Integrity module</a>.

Sustainability Dissertation 1

This subject was previously known as Sustainable Development Goals. This subject explores the development and implementation of the UN Sustainable Development Goals from a range of theoretical, policy and practical perspectives. It contextualises their adoption within an international, domestic and global context. Students will analyse and reflect on contemporary issues and discourse of sustainable development, international aid and technological progress, including issues of poverty, food security, healthy lives, quality education, gender equity, water availability, sustainable energy, emission reduction, productive employment, resilient infrastructure, reduction of inequality within and between countries, better human settlements, sustainable production and consumption, climate change action, sustainable use of oceans and terrestrial ecosystems, peaceful and inclusive societies and partnerships for sustainable development. Please Note: If it’s your first time studying a Curtin University subject you’ll need to complete their compulsory ‘Academic Integrity Program’. It only takes two hours to complete online, and provides you with vital information about studying with Curtin University. The Academic Integrity Program is compulsory, so if it’s not completed your subject grades will be withheld.Find out more about the <a href="https://www.curtin.edu.au/students/essentials/rights/academic-integrity/aip/" target="_blank">Academic Integrity module</a>.

Study the Sustainable Development Goals spearheaded by the United Nations. Highlight key Goals such as reducing inequalities and eliminating poverty. Assess the Goals' development, implementation and adoption across a variety of contexts.

People and Planet

This subject introduces students to the basic science of climate change and discusses the importance of both mitigation and adaptation. Various approaches, policies and mechanisms currently used to target emissions at the global level are examined with a focus on Australia’s contribution. The economy is discussed (defined in terms of the Front-End and the End-User) with each examined for their ability to reduce emissions. An analysis of Front-End policies including carbon taxes and emission trading schemes is provided, as well as the examination of End-User approach which includes policies and initiatives such as rebates for energy efficiency, small-scale renewable energy and building regulations. Climate change governance is explored through a workshop, which demonstrates the complexity of the international negotiations process. With a focus on the Front-End of the economy, this subject provides practical information on latest policy developments with much of the content delivered by industry professionals working in the field.Please Note: If it’s your first time studying a Curtin University subject you’ll need to complete their compulsory ‘Academic Integrity Program’. It only takes two hours to complete online, and provides you with vital information about studying with Curtin University. The Academic Integrity Program is compulsory, so if it’s not completed your subject grades will be withheld.Find out more about the <a href="https://www.curtin.edu.au/students/essentials/rights/academic-integrity/aip/" target="_blank">Academic Integrity module</a>.

Inspect the science of climate change and address what you can do to adapt to and mitigate its effects.Evaluate policies like carbon taxes and rebates for energy efficiency. Look into different countries' commitments to battling climate change.

Climate Policy

This subject provides the rationale for why a business, agency or Non Government Organisation needs to address sustainability at all levels of its organisation and how the innovative ones are exploring what this can mean. It establishes a process for students to engage in taking their own leadership aspirations to a new level and to develop their own potential as leaders in sustainability. Students will be given the opportunity to engage with a range of respected sustainability leaders from business, government and Non Government Organisations who will share their wealth of experience through reflective discussions about their personal sustainability journeys, as well as exposing the students to contemporary information on the topic.Please Note: If it’s your first time studying a Curtin University subject you’ll need to complete their compulsory ‘Academic Integrity Program’. It only takes two hours to complete online, and provides you with vital information about studying with Curtin University. The Academic Integrity Program is compulsory, so if it’s not completed your subject grades will be withheld.Find out more about the <a href="https://www.curtin.edu.au/students/essentials/rights/academic-integrity/aip/" target="_blank">Academic Integrity module</a>.

Be inspired by personal leadership stories. Identify leadership skills that you can apply to meet specific sustainability issues.Shine a spotlight on the businesses, agencies and non-government organisations that are tackling sustainability head on.

Course results for Curtin University Postgraduate Sustainability Degrees

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