Renewable Energy and Sustainability environment #258011

Upon successful completion of this course, participants will be able to:

• Articulate the critical relationship between renewable energy deployment and the achievement of broader environmental sustainability goals, including the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

• Evaluate the full lifecycle environmental impact of major renewable energy technologies (solar, wind, hydro, biomass, geothermal).

• Analyze key environmental trade-offs, such as land use, water consumption, material sourcing, and impacts on wildlife and ecosystems.

• Apply sustainability frameworks and principles like the circular economy to renewable energy project design and siting.

• Identify and advocate for best practices and innovative solutions that minimize environmental footprint and maximize positive ecological outcomes.

• Develop strategies for ensuring that the energy transition is just, equitable, and beneficial for both people and the planet.

This course is designed for a wide range of professionals who operate at the intersection of energy, environment, and policy:

• Environmental Scientists and Ecologists

• Sustainability Officers and ESG Professionals

• Renewable Energy Project Developers and Planners

• Policy Makers and Environmental Regulators

• Urban Planners and Land Use Managers

• Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Managers

• Environmental Consultants and NGO Staff

• Students of environmental science, engineering, or policy

• Pre-assessment
• Live group instruction
• Use of real-world examples, case studies and exercises
• Interactive participation and discussion
• Power point presentation, LCD and flip chart
• Group activities and tests
• Each participant receives a binder containing a copy of the presentation
• slides and handouts
• Post-assessment

Day 1: The Foundation: Energy, Climate, and Planetary Health

• Morning Session: The Dual Imperative

  • The Climate Crisis: The scientific basis for rapid decarbonization.

  • The Biodiversity and Ecological Crisis: Going beyond carbon to protect ecosystems.

  • Defining “Sustainable” in the Context of Energy.

• Afternoon Session: Frameworks for Sustainability

  • The UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as a guiding framework.

  • Lifecycle Assessment (LCA) Methodology: How to measure environmental impact from cradle to grave.

  • Workshop: Map the connections between renewable energy and specific SDGs.

Day 2: Technology Deep Dive: Environmental Costs and Benefits

• Morning Session: Solar and Wind

  • Solar PV: Lifecycle analysis of manufacturing, water use, and end-of-life recycling.

  • Wind Power: Impacts on avian and bat populations, habitat disruption, and material use.

  • Best Practices in siting and mitigation.

• Afternoon Session: Hydro, Biomass, and Geothermal

  • Hydropower: Ecosystem fragmentation, methane emissions, and community displacement.

  • Biomass: Carbon neutrality debate, land use change, and air quality.

  • Geothermal: Water usage, subsurface impacts, and emissions.

  • Case Study: Compare the lifecycle carbon footprint of different renewable technologies.

Day 3: Critical Cross-Cutting Issues

• Morning Session: The Material Foundation

  • Critical Mineral Mining: Lithium, cobalt, rare earths—addressing sourcing ethics and environmental justice.

  • The Circular Economy Solution: Designing for recycling, reuse, and repair in the renewables industry.

• Afternoon Session: Land and Water

  • Land-Use Conflicts: Food vs. fuel, conservation vs. development.

  • Agrivoltaics and Dual-Use Solutions: Co-locating agriculture and solar generation.

  • Water-Energy Nexus: The water footprint of energy production.

  • Debate: Discuss the siting of a large-scale solar farm on agricultural vs. brownfield land.

Day 4: Policy, Planning, and Justice

• Morning Session: Governance for Sustainable Outcomes

  • Effective Policy Tools: Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA), zoning, and conservation incentives.

  • International Agreements and National Strategies.

• Afternoon Session: Ensuring a Just Transition

  • Environmental Justice: Ensuring equitable distribution of benefits and avoidance of burdens.

  • Community Engagement and Indigenous Rights in project development.

  • Workshop: Develop a community engagement plan for a proposed renewable project.

Day 5: Synthesis and Future Pathways

• Morning Session: Integrated Solutions and Innovation

  • System-Level Thinking: Designing integrated energy systems that work with natural systems.

  • Emerging Technologies: Green hydrogen, advanced recycling, and low-impact renewables.

• Afternoon Session: Capstone Project

  • Final Assignment: Develop a proposal for a “Model Sustainable Renewable Energy Project.” The proposal must include technology choice, siting rationale, environmental mitigation plan, and a community benefits agreement.

  • Presentation and Peer Review.

  • Course Recap: The Path to a Truly Sustainable Energy Future.

  • Certification of Completion.