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

**Source**: https://www.lunduniversity.lu.se/study/economic-history-climate-crises-and-energy-transitions-past-and-present-EKHE44
**Parent**: https://www.lunduniversity.lu.se/about-university/university-glance/mission-vision-and-values/sustainability/sustainability-education-lund-university

Course • Bachelor's level • 7.5 credits

How have climate crises shaped energy transitions – and what does that mean for the future? This course helps you understand the historical roots of today’s climate challenges and equips you to think critically about sustainable solutions.

[Application dates](#nav-event-tab-1)

Start

Autumn 2026

Level

Bachelor's

Language

English

Place of study

Lund

Course code

EKHE44

[Application dates](#)

- Overview
- Teaching and learning

## Overview

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.

[How to apply
 ->](https://www.lunduniversity.lu.se/study/economic-history-climate-crises-and-energy-transitions-past-and-present-EKHE44/how-to-apply)

## Teaching and learning

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.

- Dates
- Requirements and selection
- Tuition fees

## Dates

### Autumn Semester 2026

Apply via Antagning.se (in Swedish) by 15 April.

#### Lund - Part time 50%

[Apply now](https://www.antagning.se/se/addtobasket?id=LU-20206&period=HT_2026)

Start

2 November 2026

2 Nov 2026

End

17 January 2027

17 Jan 2027

Form

Normal learning

Pace

Part time

Language

English

City

Lund

[Apply now](https://www.antagning.se/se/addtobasket?id=LU-20206&period=HT_2026)

## Requirements and selection

### Prerequisites

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

### 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](https://www.lunduniversity.lu.se/international-admissions/bachelors-masters-studies/applying-for-studies/tuition-fees)

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

[Convert currency – xe.com](https://www.xe.com/currencyconverter/convert/?Amount=16250&From=SEK&To=EUR)

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

[Application fee](https://www.universityadmissions.se/en/fees-scholarships-residence-permit/pay-your-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.

## Overview

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.

[How to apply
 ->](https://www.lunduniversity.lu.se/study/economic-history-climate-crises-and-energy-transitions-past-and-present-EKHE44/how-to-apply)

## Teaching and learning

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.

## Dates

### Autumn Semester 2026

Apply via Antagning.se (in Swedish) by 15 April.

#### Lund - Part time 50%

[Apply now](https://www.antagning.se/se/addtobasket?id=LU-20206&period=HT_2026)

Start

2 November 2026

2 Nov 2026

End

17 January 2027

17 Jan 2027

Form

Normal learning

Pace

Part time

Language

English

City

Lund

[Apply now](https://www.antagning.se/se/addtobasket?id=LU-20206&period=HT_2026)

## Requirements and selection

### Prerequisites

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

### 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](https://www.lunduniversity.lu.se/international-admissions/bachelors-masters-studies/applying-for-studies/tuition-fees)

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

[Convert currency – xe.com](https://www.xe.com/currencyconverter/convert/?Amount=16250&From=SEK&To=EUR)

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

[Application fee](https://www.universityadmissions.se/en/fees-scholarships-residence-permit/pay-your-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.

## Contact us

### Academic advisor

Håkan Lobell

Email:
[studievagledare@ekh.lu.se](mailto:studievagledare@ekh.lu.se)