Net-zero emissions



NB - This project-based specialisation is no longer available (closed at the end of the 2020/21 academic year)

Context

It's now a matter of real urgency that we understand and have others understand that the global warming is not mere opinion, but scientific reality. In order to limit global warming to 1.5°C, the IPCC concludes that we must reduce our CO2 emissions by 45% (from 2010 levels) by 2030, reaching 'net zero' by the middle of the century.

This project specialisation is designed for students to take action to support the school - and more broadly, society - in reducing its carbon footprint. Students will be fully immersed in this topic on a daily basis, affording them the knowledge and skills to take action on this issue during their professional careers.

 

Course Content

Support the school in a decarbonization approach aligned with national and international commitments:
 
  • Understand climate change and science-based targets,
  • Assess the school’s carbon footprint and evaluate actions to reduce the CO2 emissions,
  • Produce effective management tools, directly usable by Centrale Nantes Departments and Committees to design and implement action plans,
  • Develop digital tools allowing each user to calculate their carbon footprint and identify their ways to act on campus,
  • Raise awareness about climate issues among students and school staff,
  • Develop a platform accessible to other institutions to support them in their ecological and solidarity transition process,
  • Communicate and share the work carried out in order to guide as many people as possible to reduce their carbon footprint.

List of Courses

  • Carbon footprint and decarbonization approaches
  • Management of corporate social responsibility projects
  • Scientific background 1
  • Scientific background 2
  • Stories of transition
  • Technical skills 1
  • Technical skills 2
  • Project

Project-based learning

Project-based learning allows students to acquire different skills through:
 
  • A tailor-made training programme that adapts to the needs of students
  • Agile and autonomous organisation
  • Tailored support
  • An opportunity to take concrete action on a current and global issue,
  • Full immersion in ecological and climate themes

Project deliverables

 
  • Carbon footprint of Centrale Nantes and quantification of the emission reduction actions from the ADEME QuantiGES protocol,
  • Tool for calculating decarbonization trajectories adapted to Centrale Nantes and aligned with international science-based targets,
  • Development of standardized or automated data collection and analysis systems (sensors, counters, etc.)
  • Tools to measure the school’s carbon footprint and also one’s individual carbon footprint to encourage others to act collectively,
  • Workshops and support media to raise user awareness and disseminate knowledge,
  • Regular project monitoring deliverables (minutes, progress reports and indicators, planning etc.).

Industry Sectors

  • Environment
  • Energy
  • Management
  • Consultancy
  • IT
  • Innovation
  • Communication
  • Social

Skills

  • Project engineering
  • Carbon impact
  • IT
  • Data processing and analysis
  • Knowledge transfer
  • Change manangement
  • Complexity management
  • Teamwork
  • Creativity
Published on May 20, 2019 Updated on November 15, 2022