About the course
Natural Resources for Sustainable Development, a joint course by the Natural Resource Governance Institute, the Columbia Center on Sustainable Investment, and the World Bank, gives students an understanding of the key challenges and opportunities that come with managing extractive industry investments for sustainable development.
This course builds knowledge to make the most of oil, gas, and minerals, while mitigating the risks that these industries bring. It outlines the various complex and interrelated aspects of natural resource governance, including: understanding the governance and industry fundamentals; developing and implementing robust and transparent legal frameworks; designing fiscal regimes to capture a fair share of the revenues; managing environmental risks; engaging with communities; leveraging investments for infrastructure and business linkages; and managing revenues for economic diversification and development, among others.
By joining this course, you are becoming part of a global movement of citizens and practitioners committed to harnessing the transformational impacts of these resources. The success of the course depends on an active student base that represents a diversity of experiences, geographies, and perspectives.
You can expect to learn:
- How countries translate natural resource wealth into sustainable development outcomes
- How governance of extractive industries impact long term economic development
- The policies necessary for the sustainable management of natural resource wealth
- Why communication between government, industry, and citizens is critical to sustainable natural resource management
Course Logistics & Requirements
The course is self-paced, meaning that students can enroll and complete the course at any time.
Structure
You can pace yourself in this course; it is fine to browse and watch to the extent of your time and interests permit. We encourage you to participate in discussions actively, as they provide an excellent opportunity, to interact with a larger audience - your peers - and get some great insights.
Course components include:
- Pre-recorded lectures (4-6 videos per week)
- Readings
- Weekly Quizzes
- Final Exam (required for Verified learners)
- Pre- and post-course surveys
- Homework Activities
- Weekly Discussions
Translations
The course videos have been recorded in English, and text transcripts can be shown to scroll adjacent to the videos by pressing cc at the lower right corner.
Transcripts are available in Russian, Spanish, French, English, and Arabic.
Contact Information
Questions? Concerns?
Please be sure to direct any technical questions about the course to edX using the "Help" button at the top of your page!
Questions about course content or the SDG Academy in general should be addressed to courses@sdgacademy.org, using the subject line "Natural Resources Course."