The Circular Economy

Course Overview

The Circular Economy is the first course in the Transformative Leadership in the Circular Economy specialization. This course provides a comprehensive introduction to the principles, applications, and measurement of the circular economy as a pathway to sustainable business practices. In this course you will explore how circular strategies differ from traditional linear models and examine real-world innovations in product design, material recovery, and closed-loop systems across industries. Through case studies, expert insights, and interactive content, the course investigates circular business models, industry-specific applications, and the economic, environmental, and social benefits of circularity. You will also engage with the challenges and barriers to implementation and evaluate key performance indicators and digital tools that support circular transitions. This course gives you the knowledge and tools to drive sustainable change and apply circular economy principles to your organization or beyond. This course was developed in collaboration with Siemens Digital Industries Software and is part of the "Design for the Circular Economy" collection. Learners who complete and pass the course can receive an industry-recognized digital badge. The “Design for the Circular Economy” microcredential and graduate certificate are developed around the educational goals of providing technical, business, and leadership knowledge and skills that inspire the transformation towards a more circular economy. This includes gaining technical knowledge to apply circular economy principles in product design, minimizing waste and maximizing impact; developing business acumen to implement innovative circular economic models that prioritize sustainability and resilience; and acquiring leadership strategies to communicate effectively and inspire change within an organization. This course can be taken for academic credit as part of CU Boulder’s Master of Engineering in Engineering Management (ME-EM) degree offered on the Coursera platform. The ME-EM is designed to help engineers, scientists, and technical professionals move into leadership and management roles in the engineering and technical sectors. With performance-based admissions and no application process, the ME-EM is ideal for individuals with a broad range of undergraduate education and/or professional experience. Learn more about the ME-EM program at https://www.coursera.org/degrees/me-engineering-management-boulder.