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Discover climate course materials and resources.
Search the shared repository of simulations, case descriptions and course syllabi to enhance your own climate-related teaching.
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This class teaches modern tools and methods for product design and development. The cornerstone is a project in which teams of management, engineering, and industrial design students conceive, design, and prototype a new product or service. The class is primarily intended for Sloan MBA students (particularly the Entrepreneurship and Innovation track and the Leaders for Global Operations program) and for MIT engineering graduate students (particularly mechanical engineering and manufacturing master’s programs). The course is jointly taught with Rhode Island School of Design for industrial design students as a senior studio.
- Topics on: Energy, Finance, Impact
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Integrative experience that explores the complex set of circumstances and choices leaders must face in light of uncertain environmental and social consequences. Drawing on academic and practical experiences, students engage in a semester-long project focused on a host organization’s sustainability challenge.
Peer-to-peer learning accompanies in-class cases, simulations, and role-playing to provide students with practical skills for application in projects and for careers beyond. A shared deep dive into a systemic challenge provides a chance for students across programs to reflect and engage in dialogue about the ethical landscape of business. Through personal reflection and career visioning, students clarify their own personal commitments to leadership and change.
- Topics on: Economics, Energy, Finance, Impact, Technology
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5.S05 explores Building Sector Energy and Climate Innovations; such as technologies and services that strategically enhance building efficiency and electrification; incorporate site solar, battery storage, and electric vehicles; and are enabled to integrate with today’s increasingly renewable electric grids. Such innovations provide a foundation for a New Era for Energy Management: technology and business innovations supported by climate-centric public policies as well as a robust Green Capital market. These enable the energy management industry (over $200 billion worldwide) to rapidly grow due to: • Strong economics: with technology and price trends which are positive and dramatic. • Needed for Climate: Large scale energy management is a substantial and essential component of world carbon balance, and with no net cost (positive NPV).
Strong Demand for energy that is Digitized, Decarbonized, and Democratized: especially when market innovations make it costless (up front), riskless, effortless, and for some, a choice as to how and where their energy is produced (Prosumers). With enabling support from the instructors, materials, and assignments, class members examine and reflect on emerging technology, analytic, business, and policy innovations that help achieve today’s imperatives for a sustainable and equitable future. We then consider together strategies that may further advance Energy Management’s impact and benefits
- Topics on: Economics, Energy, Justice, Technology
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The EDGE Seminar gives students a unique opportunity to learn about today’s most important energy and environment industry issues from senior executives. In this for-credit curricular offering, Fuqua students have a chance to engage in candid conversations in a small-group setting with influential leaders who have deep industry experience and knowledge.
Seminars cover topics ranging from global energy market economics and finance to value chain sustainability, carbon markets, and energy transition. The Fall section of this seminar focuses more on energy issues, while the Spring section focuses more on environmental sustainability and ESG topics. Climate is a prominent discussion topic in both the Fall and Spring. Students can take the EDGE Seminar twice while at Fuqua (with different speakers each time).
- Topics on: Energy
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Over the last several decades, energy markets have become some of the most dynamic markets of the world economy. Traditional fossil fuel and electricity markets have seen a partial shift from heavy regulation to market-driven incentives, while rising environmental concerns have led to a wide array of new regulations and “environmental markets”. The growth of renewable energy is another source of rapid change, but brings with it a whole new set of technological and policy challenges.
This changing energy landscape requires quick adaptation from energy companies, but also offers opportunities to turn regulations into new business. The objective of this course is to provide the economist’s perspective on a broad range of topics that professionals in the energy industry will encounter. Topics include the effect of competition, market power and scarcity on energy prices, extraction and pricing of oil and gas, geopolitical uncertainty and risk in hydrocarbon investments, the environmental policies related to the energy sector and their effectiveness, cap-and-trade markets, and transportation policies. There is special emphasis on the economics and finance of renewable energy, including an introduction to energy storage.
- Topics on: Energy, Policy
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The world is engaged in a transition to clean and sustainable (“green”) energy. The ensuing disruption creates opportunities for innovation on many fronts, including new social arrangements, new business models, and entrepreneurial activities of many kinds. OIDD 5250 is a business analytics 1 class that addresses these matters by surveying and introducing the main kinds of models and modeling techniques being used in the green transition.
These include: (non-financial) accounting models (e.g., for calculating carbon footprints, for ESG investing, for life-cycle analysis), constrained optimization models (resource allocation using mathematical programming or AI methods in the form of metaheuristics), and system performance models (typically as simulations and often using AI methods such as agent-based modeling). There will be special emphasis on decision theoretic models and multi-criteria decision making (MCDM). These models are used to support decision making based on data and model outputs from multiple sources and domains. The problem of overcoming low data quality with proper use of modeling is a major theme in the course.
- Topics on: Energy, Operations
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The course will offer analytical tools and concepts to analyze the strategic environment for climate innovation and apply these to a variety of cases. A climate innovation here refers to a low-carbon/net-negative technology and/or business model.
- Topics on: Energy, Impact
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This course is about the economics of energy and environmental markets. Topics include the drivers of supply and demand, organized spot and futures markets, market power and regulation, energy transportation and storage, environmental policy, climate change, innovation, and the energy transition.
- Topics on: Energy, Finance
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Most recently taught Fall 2025
This course aims at familiarizing students with major issues surrounding global economic governance, exploring both the issues that have been or are now subject to current debates, as well as the institutional questions involved. “Global economic governance” is understood in a broad sense, and thus includes not only global but also regional frameworks, and both formal institutions as well as informal groupings of countries (such as the G7/8 and the G20) and rules of international transactions that have been left to bilateral agreements or are under the domain of national sovereignty but do have global implications. “Economics” is also understood in a broad sense, to include social and environmental issues.
It will start with three general lectures that will place the debates on global governance in relation to those on globalization, and will give a first look at the objectives of international cooperation, the historical evolution of the current governance and typologies of the different rules, organization and governance structures that have been created at varied times. It will then deal in detail with major issues that international cooperation: the role of the UN system, development cooperation, global monetary and financial management, trade and investment, international tax cooperation, and climate change. It will end with discussion of the governance of the system, and a recapitulation of governance issues and reform proposals in light of the global economic developments in the 2008-2019, during COVID-19, and during the current crisis that mixes geopolitical issues with an economic crisis.
- Topics on: Economics, Policy
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Most recently taught Fall 2025
This course will provide students with a framework for historical and current debates on development. It will offer students a basic understanding of what constitutes “development” (ends) and how to promote it (means). The initial lecture presents the broad issue of development trends and the multidisciplinary approach, as seen today through the Sustainable Development Goals adopted by the United Nations in 2015. The subsequent classes then look at classical and contemporary theories of economic development. They will be followed by a critical comparative analysis of development experiences. A series of lectures will then concentrate on institutional issues, social development and environmental sustainability (climate change).
- Topics on: Economics
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Most recently taught in Spring 2026.
Climate change represents one of the most significant challenges of our time, fundamentally driven by human activities and amplified by the rapid pace of industrialization and economic growth. At its core, climate change is as much a technological problem as it is an environmental one – enabled by outdated methods of energy production, inefficient resource management, and unsustainable infrastructure. At the same time, technology holds immense promise for solutions for mitigating emissions and adapting to the impacts of a warming planet.
American Innovation in Climate Tech is a spring semester elective course designed for Columbia Business School students to explore the cutting edge of innovation in climate technologies. It aims to provide students with exposure to a range of industries and companies at the forefront of innovation. We will explore the latest breakthroughs and emerging technologies for addressing climate impacts in energy generation, alternative fuels, grid modernization, mobility, decarbonized materials, agriculture, and carbon management. By analyzing recent advancements and engaging directly with industry leaders, entrepreneurs, and project developers, students will gain practical insights into how new technologies are developed, piloted, and commercialized.
This course aims to empower students to actively participate in shaping technological solutions that are not only innovative, but have potential for commercial success and impact on climate mitigation or adaptation. San Francisco and Houston were chosen as anchor destinations because they showcase two distinct but complementary models of climate innovation. San Francisco, driven by venture capital, startup culture, and ambitious state climate policy, and Houston, leveraging its energy expertise, industrial base, and deregulated market to scale technologies. Together, these two areas of the country provide students with a unique opportunity to examine how business innovation will shape the response to climate change. This course relies heavily on participation and students should be prepared both for in class discussion and to speak with industry professionals during the trip.
- Topics on: Business, Technology
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Most recently taught in Fall 2025.
Climate science informs us that global emissions of greenhouse gas emissions must be rapidly and dramatically reduced if humanity is to avoid catastrophic climate change. After three centuries of rising emissions, the entire global economy must now decarbonize in the coming three decades. Fortunately, most of the technologies and investment capital necessary to reduce and eventually eliminate emissions exist or are in development, but the urgency to implement those solutions is critical.
This course provides an overview of climate change, its effects on business, and how businesses can (and should) respond. The course covers emissions sources and their impact on climate change, followed by an exploration of the policy landscape, including current legislation, carbon markets, and climate justice. The course then evaluates current and evolving mitigation technologies, reviews the tools of climate finance, and considers strategies for reducing emissions to net zero. Finally, the course introduces the role of businesses in addressing climate change, including net-zero goals, actions they can take to mitigate their impact, and the perspectives of shareholders.
Throughout the course, the business case for climate action is emphasized, highlighting the economic benefits of taking action to address climate change.
NOTE: Business and Climate Change is a pre-requisite course for several other elective courses, including Climate Finance (B8363), Climate Policy (B8212), Climate Tech (B8320), and Climate Risk (B8233).
- Topics on: Business
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Most recently taught in spring 2026.
Europe is at the forefront of climate policy globally. It has ambitious goals, concrete plans, and is working hard on the implementation. It is also facing significant challenges, from high energy costs to sluggish economic growth. Germany, Europe’s largest economy, has been in a recession for 2 years. This class will explore climate through the lens of green industrial policy in Europe, with an eye toward hard-to-abate sectors like steel and cement, the challenges facing companies in these sectors, and the opportunities a push into clean and low-carbon technologies provides.
You are not required but encouraged to enroll in B8212 Climate Policy concurrently during the Spring 2026 A-term, which will provide a broad survey of climate policy globally.
The course will travel to the EU during spring break 2026, visiting Germany and Belgium [and possibly the Netherlands]. We will begin the trip in Frankfurt and end in Brussels, requiring an EU Schengen visa. Global Immersion Program classes bridge classroom lessons and business practices in other countries. These three credit classes combine half a term in New York with a one-week visit, where students will meet with business executives and government officials while working on team projects. The 2025-2026 Global Immersion Program mandatory fee for all classes is $2100 and provides students with double occupancy lodging, ground transportation and some meals. It does not cover roundtrip international airfare. Attendance both in New York and in-country and regular participation are a crucial part of the learning experience and as such attendance is mandatory. Students who miss the first class meeting may be removed from the course. No program fee refunds will be given after the add/drop period has closed. Please visit the Chazen Institute website to learn more about the Global Immersion Program, and visit the Global Immersion Policies page to review policies affecting these courses. Please note all international travel involves risk. We do not control the cities and companies we visit. We try our best to plan a safe trip with positive experience. However, if your tolerance for risk or uncertainties is low, GIP is not for you.
- Topics on: Business, Decarbonization, Policy, Technology
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This module provides a detailed discussion of the climate risks faced by corporations and financial institutions. Students will learn how climate data and climate models can be used to measure physical risks, that is the expected loss or damage of physical assets, such as residential and commercial properties, plants and equipment, caused by extreme weather events, for example, floods, windstorms, draughts and wildfires. The exposure of businesses to transition risks resulting from policy and legal changes as governments and societies adjust to lower carbon economies, will also be explored.
- Topics on: Operations
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This course explores how strategic awareness and risk management influence the relationship between the business,
environment, and society. Students will learn to identify and manage risks associated with sustainability initiatives
through project-based learning. The course highlights the critical role of strategic planning and risk assessment in the
management of projects and their impact to business sustainability in a complex global landscape
- Topics on: Operations, Strategy
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The traditional financial reporting model is deficient in two fundamental respects: (i) we set the cost of natural capital used by the business to zero; and (ii) we either under-emphasize or ignore accounting for externalities, both positive and negative, imposed by the business on other stakeholders.
The objective of this class is exploring one major aspect of natural capital and its attendant risks—related to climate. The focus is mostly on how companies, both in the U.S. and elsewhere, measure, disclose, govern and hence manage (or sometimes mis-manage) climate risk exposures.
The Paris Agreement of 2015 was meant to mobilize a global response to the threat of climate change, amid growing concerns by scientific experts, as documented in a series of IPCC reports. Since the Paris agreement was signed, hundreds of firms have made net zero emissions promises. Regulators and the investment community has been pushing firms to evaluate their climate risk exposure and the impact thereof on the firm’s business model and value drivers.
- Topics on: Operations
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Many of us at MIT share a dream to “do well by doing good” – to apply our talents in ways that solve important world problems while generating enough revenue to grow a healthy business. The real world exhibits varying degrees of this phenomenon. We hope all MIT graduates joining the private sector plan to help their enterprises operate with integrity and care for all stakeholders, in order to mitigate any harmful negative externalities.
But it is rarer to successfully innovate for impact, that is, develop products and services that actively improve the world as they grow. It turns out that growth, profit, and positive impact are in constant tension with one another, as are different dimensions of impact. Breaking these tradeoffs is possible but extraordinarily challenging.
- Topics on: Finance, Impact, Operations, Policy
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This course provides a framework to describe and formulate an operations. Furthermore, decisions about different areas of operations must be consistent with each other. Choices about facilities, capacity, vertical integration, process technology, control and information systems, sourcing, human resources, organization and other areas are all strategic choices that significantly affect what the business brings to the marketplace.
This course will examine how these strategic decisions can be made in a coherent manner to enable an organization’s business strategy. It will also emphasize operations design as a source of competitive advantage. The course will highlight the importance of the triple bottom line: how organizations should consider financial, environmental, and social performance/impacts in an integrated manner to achieve real sustainability.
- Topics on: Operations
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Introduction to System Dynamics and this course have been combined as of 2020.
Focuses on developing the skills and tools needed to successfully apply systems thinking and simulation modeling in diverse real-world settings, including growth strategy, management of technology, operations, public policy, product development, supply chains, forecasting, project management, process improvement, service operations, and platform-based businesses, among others.
Uses simulation models, management flight simulators, and case studies to deepen conceptual and modeling skills beyond what is introduced in 15.871. Exploring case studies of successful applications, students develop proficiency in how to use qualitative and quantitative data to formulate and test models, and how to work effectively with senior executives to successfully implement change. Prepares students for further work in the field. Meets with 15.871 in first half of term when offered concurrently. Students taking 15.871 complete additional assignments
- Topics on: Economics, Operations, Policy
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Climate change and biodiversity loss are existential threats to the planet, our own health and well-being, and the global economy. The course will identify several key players and leverage points in the capital market and elaborate on whether and how a “systems change” could be achieved to tackle these urgent challenges. In addition to governments and NGOs, the mobilization of capital markets plays a pivotal role. To mobilize capital markets, a thorough understanding of capital markets as well as the mechanisms and obstacles at work is required, as well as innovative solutions that overcome these obstacles. This course will provide a deep dive into several financial innovations that aim to overcome these obstacles and help mobilize capital markets to mitigate climate change and biodiversity loss at the system level. In this course, students will learn to think at the system-level, to understand the opportunities and challenges faced in mobilizing capital markets, and to assess concrete obstacles and whether and how financial innovations can bring scalable solutions for the benefit of society.
- Topics on: Finance, Operations, Strategy