Natural Resources and Sustainable Development
This course is part of Sustainable Mining and Resource Management.
This comprehensive course, developed by the Natural Resource Governance Institute, Columbia Center on Sustainable Investment, and World Bank, examines sustainable management of extractive industries. It covers crucial aspects from resource governance to environmental impact, focusing on how countries can transform natural resource wealth into sustainable development outcomes. The course addresses political economy, legal frameworks, fiscal regimes, environmental management, community rights, and economic linkages while emphasizing practical approaches to balance resource exploitation with sustainability.
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English, اَلْعَرَبِيَّةُ, Español, 2 more
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What you'll learn
In this course, you will learn how countries can transform natural resource wealth—like oil, gas, and minerals—into sustainable development outcomes. It explores governance systems, legal frameworks, environmental management, revenue distribution, and community rights related to extractive industries. You'll understand the critical role of transparency, policy, and stakeholder engagement in balancing development goals with ecological responsibility.
Skills you'll gain
This course includes:
PreRecorded video
Graded assignments, Exams
Access on Mobile, Tablet, Desktop
Limited Access access
Shareable certificate
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Top companies provide this course to enhance their employees' skills, ensuring they excel in handling complex projects and drive organizational success.
There are 12 modules in this course
This course runs for 12 weeks with 4–6 hours/week commitment, offering structured content across governance, sustainability, and extractives policy.
Challenges and opportunities
Module 1
Political economy of natural resources
Module 2
Fundamentals of oil, gas, and mining: industry considerations and policy
Module 3
Legal overview
Module 4
Anticipating and managing environmental issues
Module 6
Community rights
Module 7
Artisanal mining
Module 8
Revenue management
Module 9
Investing in sustainable development: Economic linkages to the extractives sector
Module 10
Investing in sustainable development: Looking beyond extractives
Module 11
Cross-cutting considerations and looking ahead
Module 12
Fee Structure
Individual course purchase is not available - to enroll in this course with a certificate, you need to purchase the complete Professional Certificate Course. For enrollment and detailed fee structure, visit the following: Sustainable Mining and Resource Management
Payment options
Financial Aid
Instructors
4 Courses
Global Expert in Sustainable Investment and Development Policy
Lisa Sachs serves as Director of the Columbia Center on Sustainable Investment (CCSI), where she has shaped global understanding of sustainable investment since 2008. After earning degrees from Harvard (BA in Economics) and Columbia (JD and MA in International Affairs), she built her early career at the Interfaith Center on Corporate Responsibility and Amnesty USA focusing on shareholder engagement. At CCSI, she established three core research areas: investments in extractive industries, land and agriculture, and investment law and policy. Her work spans advisory projects across multiple continents, including Mozambique, Guinea, Tanzania, Malawi, Namibia, Paraguay, and Timor-Leste. As a globally recognized expert in investment flows and sustainable development, she teaches highly acclaimed courses at Columbia Law School and School of International and Public Affairs, with her course twice ranking among SIPA's top 5. Her leadership extends to key global forums, serving as co-chair of the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network's thematic group on Extractive and Land Resources, member of World Economic Forum Global Future Councils, and advisor to organizations including the Investor Alliance for Human Rights and SDG Academy. A James Kent Scholar and recipient of the Parker School Certificate in International and Comparative Law, she continues to influence investment policies and practices aligned with sustainable development goals and the Paris Agreement through research, teaching, and advisory work.
4 Courses
Global Expert in Natural Resource Governance and Energy Transition
Patrick Heller serves as Chief Program Officer at the Natural Resource Governance Institute (NRGI) while holding a position as Senior Visiting Fellow at UC Berkeley's Center on Law, Energy and Environment. After earning his JD from Stanford Law School and MA in International Relations from Johns Hopkins SAIS, he has dedicated over 15 years to advancing legal reform and governance initiatives in developing nations. His expertise spans the governance of state-owned oil and mining companies, extractive industry contracts analysis, and sustainable pathways for fossil fuel-producing countries. At NRGI, he oversees the global program portfolio while providing technical assistance to governments and civil society organizations worldwide. His impact extends through capacity development programs, including facilitating courses on extractive industry legal frameworks at prestigious institutions like Oxford, Columbia, and Gadjah Mada University. His recent work focuses particularly on helping state-owned enterprises and oil-dependent nations navigate the challenges of climate change and energy transition. Through collaborations with organizations including USAID, the U.S. State Department, and the Asian Development Bank, he continues to shape global understanding of natural resource governance while advancing sustainable development goals in the extractive sector.
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Frequently asked questions
Below are some of the most commonly asked questions about this course. We aim to provide clear and concise answers to help you better understand the course content, structure, and any other relevant information. If you have any additional questions or if your question is not listed here, please don't hesitate to reach out to our support team for further assistance.