10 Free online environmental courses with certificates

Climate change has become an increasingly urgent global concern and understanding the why behind it is crucial as your company gears up for the future. This SC Training (formerly EdApp) course dives deep into the science of climate change, giving your teams the key information on what we know today and what actions can be taken moving forward.

This nine-part course talks about the difference between climate and weather and other critical concepts related to climate change such as ice cores, natural forcing, and the Greenhouse Effect. It also houses lessons on the Keeling Curve and energy excess.

The final lessons explore the consequences of climate change and data-backed methods of predicting the future. Additionally, the course also touches on the nine tipping points triggered by increased global temperatures. 

SC Training partnered with AXA Climate to carefully design this environmental course. It’s made more interactive with easy-to-digest video lessons paired with gamified quizzes for maximum retention. By equipping your workforce with this essential knowledge, you'll be better prepared to navigate the evolving landscape and embrace the opportunities for positive change.

Up next, we have another SC Training course that dives into the collapse of biodiversity. It includes lessons on the marvel of biodiversity, species and ecosystems, and the food chain. The course also tackles the concepts of dynamics, evolution, and extinction.

Specifically, this biodiversity training course goes over land use and overexploitation, as well as climate, pollution, and invasive species. It then explores how these man-made factors contribute to the sixth mass extinction.

SC Training delivers short, focused lessons on complex topics like biodiversity concepts, helping your teams grasp key information without feeling overwhelmed. This microlearning approach allows for quick, on-the-go learning that makes it easier to retain and integrate eco-friendly practices in their daily work routines.

SC Training partnered with Marley Spoon to deliver this course aimed at exploring how to change eating habits for health and environmental purposes. Using four micro-lessons, your teams can learn about sustainable food products, seasonal food, where your food comes from, and replacing meat products in your diet.

The course also discusses the carbon footprint of the food we eat and uncovers the benefits of eating locally. Training on sustainable eating is crucial for industries that influence or are impacted by food production, consumption, and waste. It’s especially relevant for teams in hospitality, food services, retail, grocery, healthcare, agriculture, and more.

In the span of four lessons, this course will introduce your teams to the definition and concept of sanitation. It tackles why it's important for sustainable development and what role governance plays in the space of policy-making and public action.

This editable course also explores the challenges faced in sanitation and lays out steps to overcome these. Additionally, it discusses the most pressing issues related to urban sanitation. It aims to familiarize teams with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) recommendations on resolving them.

Perfect for teams in fields like education and childcare, this climate change course unpacks how to talk to children about climate change. It dives into the best ways to start the conversation and how to clearly explain the preventative steps that can be taken against it.

By highlighting the why, the how, and the action that can help your teams approach the topic, this course features a solutions-based discussion that can empower children. It also delivers age-appropriate, practical examples that your crew can easily share with younger audiences.

This next course breaks down the basics of the greenhouse effect and tackles how everyday actions impact it. Your teams will learn about key terms like “Net Zero” and reasons behind why we need to cut greenhouse gas emissions to protect the planet.

The course sheds light on international climate negotiations and advocates transitioning to renewable energy sources. It also covers the consequences of climate change and discusses the importance of immediate action. Plus, it can help teams discover the technologies and changes that should be adopted to help stabilize the climate.

This free environmental health and safety certification online course offers a comprehensive introduction to the academic study of sustainability. It examines how human societies can thrive at a time of global transformations, ecosystem degradation, and resource scarcity. 

Your teams will also delve into critical areas of sustainability theory and practice. They’ll explore essential topics like population dynamics, energy usage, agriculture, water management, and environmental policy. As they navigate the course, they can also uncover the ethical dimensions and cultural history that play a significant role in our environmental stewardship.

Explore how to use the ocean’s resources to tackle some of the biggest challenges facing humanity with this online course from My Mooc. Over the course of six weeks, your teams will learn about various topics emphasizing sustainable and innovative uses of the ocean. 

The course talks about the importance of protecting marine bioresources and mitigating climate change. It also includes important discussions on the governance of ocean solutions and steps to implement these strategies effectively. It features a peer assessment activity that can help your teams apply what they’ve learned throughout the course.

This FutureLearn course discusses the intersection of conservation biology and biodiversity. It explores how the work of conservation biologists helps protect the planet’s diverse ecosystems and talks about the impact of wind farms on seabird populations.

This two-week training will also tackle how human activities shape ecosystems and dive into relevant case studies such as the global bee decline and threats to coral reefs. Essential topics like the moral and economic reasons for conservation and the importance of maintaining healthy populations and communities will also be covered here.

Last but not least on this list of free online environmental courses with certificates, Alison houses this course on environmental awareness and conservation. It focuses on effective conservation practices, aiming to help learners navigate the ethical aspects of preserving the planet. 

This environmental management training will also teach vital topics including biodiversity, energy conservation, and community resilience. Teams can learn about ecological literacy and environmental ethics, as well as adaptation measures for communities and ecosystems bearing the brunt of climate change.