The University of Edinburgh has developed the world's first open online course exploring the technology that can provide a long-term solution to protecting our atmosphere from an excess of carbon dioxide (CO₂).

The free five-week massive open online course, or MOOC, will explain carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology in the context of climate change, global energy and economics, our use of fossil fuels and global climate policy. It has been developed by leading academics at the University including Dr Mathieu Lucquiaud from the School of Engineering.

The course, which begins on 15 March, is suitable for anyone with a keen interest in learning how technology can help us rein in the worst impacts of climate change in a world of increasing population and energy needs.

The aim is to give participants a better understanding of climate change mitigation options and also encourage further study; one option being the CCS Masters programme also developed by the University, which was the first in the UK. On completion, there is the option to gain a Verified Certificate.

Participants will learn about:

• how to protect the atmosphere, with CCS technology, from an excess of CO₂
• the potential to make fossil fuels "safe to use" in the context of the Paris Climate Change Agreement of 2015
• key sectors of the global economy, where CCS can contribute to deep reductions in emissions
• the uniqueness of CCS to complement other low-carbon technologies
• how CCS can unlock carbon negative solutions, which will need to be used before mid-century
• the scientific principles of climate mitigation technologies
• the key elements of geology for permanently, and safely, disposing of CO₂ underground
• the international state-of-play and scale of the industry in the 21st century

CCS MOOC introductory video

You can watch this video on YouTube.

Further Information

• Climate Change: Carbon Capture and Storage MOOC
• School of Engineering
• School of GeoSciences
• Dr Mathieu Lucquiaud