Start fresh with new skills. Get 10% off course fees with the code FRESH2026 until April 21, 2026 and set yourself up for exponential growth this year.

THE LONDON SCHOOL OF ECONOMICS AND POLITICAL SCIENCE
POLITICS AND POLICY OF CLIMATE CHANGE AND SUSTAINABILITY

ONLINE CERTIFICATE COURSE

Explore the political dynamics driving policies to accelerate transitions to climate change and sustainability.

VIEW COURSE PROSPECTUS
Duration

8 weeks,
excluding orientation

Effort

6-8 hours per week,
entirely online

Learning Format

Weekly modules,
flexible learning

Get 10% off until April 21, 2026.

Start fresh with new skills.

It’s time for a new season of personal growth. Take 10% off this online course with the code FRESH2026.

*Offer applies to any start date for participating courses where registration is currently open as long as you register and pay by April 21, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time (U.S.). To redeem the offer for executive education courses, register on getsmarter.com, using code FRESH2026 at checkout. The discount cannot be combined with any other offers for executive education courses.

ON COMPLETION OF THIS COURSE, YOU’LL WALK AWAY WITH:

  1. The insight to decipher the political dynamics underlying climate change mitigation and sustainability efforts.

  2. The ability to navigate the political and technological challenges of making climate and sustainability policy.

  3. The knowledge to evaluate comprehensive approaches to climate action, including debates around topics that include the Just Transition, net-zero commitments, and geoengineering.

Accreditation Logo

This Politics and Policy of Climate Change and Sustainability online certificate course is certified by the United Kingdom CPD Certification Service, and may be applicable to individuals who are members of, or are associated with, UK-based professional bodies. The course has an estimated 48 hours of learning.

Note: should you wish to claim CPD activity, the onus is on you. The London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) and GetSmarter accept no responsibility, and cannot be held responsible, for the claiming or validation of hours or points.

    COURSE CURRICULUM

    Module 1
    The many causes of climate change

    Explore the different causes of climate change and the roots of climate inaction.

    Module 2
    Climate change as a sustainability transition challenge

    Explore sustainability transitions and the interconnectedness of social and ecological systems.

    Module 3
    Political strategies for ambitious climate and sustainability policy

    Gain insight into different approaches to creating climate and sustainability policies.

    Module 4
    Activism and obstruction in environmental advocacy

    Analyse the strategies and tactics used to support and oppose environmental policy change.

    Module 5
    Corporate environmental governance

    Examine the strengths, limitations, and critiques of corporate environmental governance.

    Module 6
    Geoengineering: Break glass in case of emergency?

    Explore the different geoengineering strategies and how to navigate the associated risk and uncertainty of emerging technologies.

    Please note that module titles and their contents are subject to change during course development.

    COURSE CONVENOR

    Dr Michael Lerner

    Assistant Professor of Political Science and Public Policy

    Dr Michael Lerner is an assistant professor of political science and public policy in the Department of Government. Michael studies comparative environmental politics with a broad interest in the challenges and strategies related to adopting timely policy responses to environmental change. His research focuses primarily on policy advocacy, including corporate lobbying on climate change, transnational advocacy networks, and the innovation and diffusion of environmental policy. Michael has published his work in the American Journal of Political Science, the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, and other peer-reviewed journals.

    AN ONLINE EDUCATION THAT SETS YOU APART

    This LSE online certificate course is delivered in collaboration with online education provider GetSmarter. Join a growing community of global professionals and benefit from the opportunity to:
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    Gain verifiable and relevant competencies and earn invaluable recognition from a world-leading social science university, entirely online and in your own time.

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    Enjoy a personalised, people-mediated online learning experience created to make you feel supported at every step.

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    Experience a flexible but structured approach to online education as you plan your learning around your life to meet weekly milestones.