In a groundbreaking collaboration, the Smith School of Enterprise and the Environment at the University of Oxford, in partnership with the Council on Energy, Environment, and Water (CEEW), is set to launch a first-of-its-kind online certificate course titled ‘Reaching Net Zero’. Designed specifically for the Indian market, this self-paced course will be hosted on the global learning platform, Apolitical, and is scheduled to commence in early 2025. The course is aimed at a broad spectrum of Indian policymakers, senior business leaders, executives in banks and financial institutions, and civil society members who are all working toward the country’s ambitious net zero target for 2070.

India’s pursuit of a net zero target is poised to be a transformative force, reshaping the economy by fostering green jobs, attracting investment in sustainable technologies, and enhancing energy security—all while fortifying resilience against the growing threats of climate change. The ‘Reaching Net Zero’ course is tailored to help key stakeholders navigate this transition by integrating climate change and sustainability considerations into both short-term and long-term decision-making processes.

As the green economy transition accelerates across India, it presents a wealth of opportunities for job creation, economic growth, and sustainability. This course, developed by experts at the Smith School and CEEW, will cover an array of topics central to India’s development, including the science of net zero, the political implications of climate change, and the evolving landscape of net zero policies. It will specifically focus on how these policies impact India’s energy security, markets, job creation, and the risks climate change poses to investments. Participants will explore the scientific underpinnings of net zero, examine policies designed to achieve it, and learn how to manage and plan for net zero within their own professional contexts.

Arunabha Ghosh, CEO of CEEW, said, “The climate is the economy now, and the road to net zero will have far-reaching implications on all levels of government, portfolios of banking institutions, quality of life, and balance sheets of businesses. This course on net zero comes at a critical time and decade—it will build the capacity of Indian decision-makers and equip them for a unique developmental trajectory where growth must happen with decarbonisation.”

Radhika Khosla, Associate Professor at the Smith School, shared her vision for the course’s impact, noting, “Our shared ambition is for this course to support India’s progress towards net zero and sustainable development, as well as position India as a key global actor in addressing climate change. As long as human activities continue to add greenhouse gases to the atmosphere, global temperatures will keep rising, with countries like India often being the most vulnerable to devastating climate impacts.”

The course will draw from the expertise of several prominent figures at the Smith School, including Khosla, who also serves as Director of the Oxford India Centre for Sustainable Development, and Anupama Sen, Head of Policy Engagement at the Smith School.

With the transition to a green economy gaining momentum, the ‘Reaching Net Zero’ course stands as a pivotal initiative designed to equip Indian leaders and policymakers with the knowledge and tools necessary to navigate the complex and transformative journey towards a sustainable, low-carbon future.