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The Sustainable Development Goals – A global, transdisciplinary vision for the future
  • Level Foundation
  • Course by University of Copenhagen
  • Offered by

About

In 2015, the UN launched the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Adopted by 193 member states, the goals represent an important international step in setting humanity on a trajectory towards sustainable development. Within this course, you will get a historical overview of how sustainability has been understood, as well as a thorough introduction to the SDGs – what they are, how progress can be measured, and how the SDGs are relevant for the management of the global systems supporting humanity. The course will examine how various societal actors are responding to and implementing the SDGs. While all of the SDGs are essential to sustainable development, SDG 13, Climate Action, is usually perceived as the most urgent in terms of the need for a swift implementation on a global scale. Therefore, particular focus is given to this SDG. Through the course, you will gain up-to-date knowledge of the current understanding of human impacts on the Earth at the planetary level. Progress towards establishing global management of human interactions with the climate system within the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) is also discussed. The course is designed and taught by Professor Katherine Richardson, who is a member of the 15-person panel appointed by the UN General Secretary in 2016 to write the 2019 Global Sustainable Development Report. In each lecture, Katherine interviews experts who provide insights relevant to the topic at hand.

Modules

Week 1

    • 3 Videos
    • 3 Readings
    • 1 Discussion
    • 1 Assignment
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1 Assignment

  • Week 1

1 Discussions

  • What’s your take on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)?

3 Videos

  • A history of sustainable development
  • How do we measure progress?
  • SDG Interactions – One for All and All for One!

3 Readings

  • The sustainable development goals
  • A Guide to SDG Interactions, ICSU, 2017
  • Additional material: The Brundtland Report, 1987

Week 2

    • 3 Videos
    • 2 Readings
    • 1 Discussion
    • 1 Assignment
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1 Assignment

  • Week 2

1 Discussions

  • Agriculture and planetary boundaries

3 Videos

  • The Anthropocene
  • Planetary boundaries and biodiversity
  • Resilience

2 Readings

  • Agriculture production as a major driver of the Earth system exceeding planetary boundaries
  • Resilience and disaster risk reduction: an etymological journey

Week 3

    • 3 Videos
    • 4 Readings
    • 2 Discussion
    • 1 Assignment
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1 Assignment

  • Week 3

2 Discussions

  • Can we live within the doughnut?
  • Help us improve the course

3 Videos

  • The human condition
  • Inequality
  • The way forward

4 Readings

  • World Food Programme: Hunger and Climate Change
  • Kate Raworth: Doughnut Economics
  • Additional material: Sustainability lecture with Kate Raworth
  • Additional material: Income Inequality and Health: A Causal Review

Auto Summary

Explore the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in this foundational course led by Professor Katherine Richardson. Gain historical insights into sustainability, detailed knowledge of the SDGs, and a deep dive into SDG 13, Climate Action. Ideal for those interested in global systems management and sustainability, this course includes expert interviews. Available on Coursera with Starter and Professional subscription options.

Katherine Richardson
Instructor

Katherine Richardson