Economic History: Climate Crises and Energy Transitions -Past and Present

This course explores the deep connections between climate change and energy transitions, from the Little Ice Age to the present. You’ll learn how fossil fuels broke historical growth limits and triggered today’s climate crisis, and how societies have responded to energy challenges over time.

The course covers key events like the oil crises of the 1970s and the recent energy crisis during the war in Ukraine and examines current climate policies such as the EU Emission Trading System and Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism. You’ll also gain insight into renewable and nuclear energy innovations, land-use constraints and the political and economic debates surrounding climate action.

Whether you're curious about technology-driven solutions or degrowth perspectives, this course gives you the tools to form your own informed view on how climate and energy shape our world.

You’ll take part in lectures, group exercises and student presentations. Through written assignments and discussions, you’ll develop your ability to analyse climate and energy issues from a historical and economic perspective.

You’ll learn to work independently and in multicultural teams, and gain practical skills like creating Excel graphs and performing basic calculations of carbon emission drivers. The course encourages critical thinking and helps you understand why climate change is such a complex problem – and what might be the most effective paths forward.

You’ll explore arguments from both technology optimists and degrowth advocates, and reflect on how past industrial revolutions shape today’s challenges.

By the end of the course, you’ll be equipped to engage in climate debates with confidence and clarity.

Entry requirements

General requirements

Selection criteria

Seats are allocated according to the following: The general average (GPA) of your higher secondary school leaving certificate: 34 %, The Swedish national university aptitude test: 34 %, number of previous ECTS at application deadline (up to 165): 32 %. If students have equal credentials, seats are allocated based on their results on The Swedish National University Aptitude Test. If this too is equal, seats are allocated based on a draw.

Tuition fees for non-EU/EEA citizens

Citizens of countries outside:

• The European Union (EU)
• The European Economic Area (EEA) and
• Switzerland

are required to pay tuition fees. You pay an instalment of the tuition fee in advance of each
semester.

Tuition fees, payments and exemptions

Full programme/course tuition fee: SEK 16,250
First payment: SEK 16,250

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Note that you may also need to pay an application fee, or provide proof of exemption.

Application fee

No tuition fees for citizens of the EU, EEA and Switzerland

There are no tuition fees for citizens of the European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland.