Heriot-Watt launches world’s first university-led online course in Carbon Dioxide Removal
Carbon removal is no longer optional. It's a critical part of global climate strategy - and Heriot-Watt is equipping professionals to lead it.
As governments and industries accelerate efforts toward net zero, it’s clear that reducing emissions alone won’t be enough. Large-scale carbon dioxide removal (CDR) must play a central role. Yet despite this growing urgency, few professionals are trained to critically assess carbon removal options or understand how they fit into complex energy, industrial and policy systems.
To address this, Heriot-Watt University has launched the world’s first university-delivered online course dedicated to carbon dioxide removal: Carbon Dioxide Removal from a Systems Perspective.
Addressing a critical skills gap
Carbon dioxide removal (CDR) is no longer a fringe concept - it is attracting serious investment and hiring activity across the energy, technology, finance, and policy sectors. In Europe alone, the CDR workforce is projected to grow by 196% by 2030, reaching 335,000 roles, while demand for CDR-relevant skills has surged by over 3,200% since 2019 (Lightcast, 2024).
Yet the talent pipeline remains severely underdeveloped.
“We are very excited to develop this course, because we’ve been working on carbon dioxide removal for such a long time, but we realised that there really wasn’t anything out there for professionals that want to transition to the CDR space,” says Associate Professor Mijndert van der Spek, who leads the course.
In a recent Nature article titled “Universities must lead capacity building in carbon dioxide removal”, Mijndert and colleagues emphasised the need for systems-level thinking - taking into account energy use, land requirements, lifecycle emissions, long-term storage liability and economic feasibility.
Without CDR, we’re definitely not going to make our climate targets.
“We need to grow an industry that is larger than the oil and gas industry is currently. It’s going to be difficult. There are going to be hard times. People may lose faith. That’s all normal - and expected. Just stick with the course. Carry on developing solutions, scaling technologies, building policy. Without CDR, we’re definitely not going to make our climate targets”, Mijndert adds.
A strategic offering from industry experts
The course is designed to meet the global demand for flexible, high-impact upskilling. Developed in consultation with businesses, government and NGOs via workshops in Washington DC and Oxford, and created by a team with comprehensive expertise in CDR - including Mijndert, Phil Renforth, Susana Garcia, James Campbell, Spyros Foteinis and Amir Jahanbakhsh - the course directly responds to the need for trusted, technically competent leadership in this space.
What you’ll learn
This intensive, online course combines scientific, technical and economic insight with real-world relevance. It covers:
- Climate change and carbon dioxide removal
- Geochemical carbon dioxide removal methods including mineralisation and ocean alkalinity enhancement
- Life cycle and technoeconomic assessment for carbon dioxide removal
- Technological carbon dioxide removal, direct air capture and storage (DACS), CO2 transport and geological sequestration
The curriculum equips professionals with the tools to critically evaluate removal methods and contribute meaningfully to climate strategies and innovation efforts.
Designed for working professionals
This short, intensive course is structured for learners balancing work, life and study.
Key features:
- 100% online and self-paced
- University credit (5 SCQF credits at Level 11)
- Free access to over 500 further professional development courses through Coursera Career Academy
- No application or formal prerequisites
Who should enrol:
This course is designed for professionals and graduates who want to stay ahead of developments in the fast-evolving CDR landscape. It’s especially relevant for:
- Engineers and researchers
- Oil and gas professionals seeking purposeful transitions
- Sustainability leads responsible for ESG and decarbonisation strategies
- Tech sector staff working on digital sustainability, carbon credits or infrastructure
- Environmental professionals focused on carbon management
- Policymakers and civil servants involved in net zero planning
- STEM graduates/postgraduates looking to enter climate or carbon markets
- Climate advocates and generalists seeking deeper knowledge
As Mijndert puts it: “Whether you work for government and CDR is coming at you fast, or you’re in industry or finance and want to transition into carbon removal - this course will set you up well. We treat all the key topics in depth and give you a really good overview of what CDR involves.”
Why Heriot-Watt University
With over 30 years of online learning expertise, Heriot-Watt delivers academically rigorous, industry-relevant programmes tailored for busy professionals. Heriot-Watt University offers a modern approach to continuing professional development: modular, flexible, globally accessible and immediately applicable in the workplace.
Start studying Carbon Dioxide Removal from a Systems Perspective today
The carbon removal industry is scaling rapidly - but skilled professionals are lagging behind. Carbon Dioxide Removal from a Systems Perspective offers flexible, rigorous training to close that gap.
“What really excites me about CDR is that I feel that it's something that I can work on that will actually help the climate. In this time of climate scepticism on the one hand, and climate anxiety on the other, I want to contribute to making a difference and really solving climate change,” highlights Mijndert.
Equip yourself or your team to lead with credibility. Whether you're seeking to transition your career, upskill your team or lead credible climate initiatives, this course will give you the clarity, context and critical tools needed to engage with carbon removal at a systems level.