Monthly Subscription Starting at AED 99 + VAT

Working for a sustainable future: concepts and approaches
  • Level Foundation
  • Duration 19 hours
  • Course by Lund University
  • Offered by

About

In this course, participants are introduced to key notions and concepts evolving in sustainability science that are relevant to all, independent to one's work or field of interest. After having completed the course, participants will have a better understanding of the vocabulary used today and should demonstrate the ability to reflect critically to integrate different perspectives of environmental, social, and economic sustainability to their specific area of interest or research. Throughout the course, links are made to the Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development, as our current global road map towards sustainability, and how new approaches and solutions are emerging to describe, understand and address key sustainability challenges. Put simply, the overall aim is to give participants the knowledge and confidence needed to present and discuss ideas with others by applying methods, concepts and the vocabulary exemplified in the course with a more holistic view on the sustainability agenda across topics and disciplines. The course is designed as 5 modules: The first module presents essential concepts within sustainability science, and methods used to describe, frame, and communicate aspects of sustainability. We look at key questions such as what we mean with strong or weak sustainability, resilience, tipping points and the notion of planetary boundaries. We also look at some techniques used of envisioning alternative futures and transitions pathways. The second module is all about systems thinking and how systemic approaches are applied today to achieve long-term sustainability goals. Your will see what we mean with systems thinking and how systems thinking, and design is applied in practice to find new solutions. The third module touches upon drivers for a sustainable future, namely links to economy and business with an introduction to notions of a circular economy, and also policy and regulatory frameworks. We introduce the basics of transformative policy frames and how they are designed and applied through several real-case examples. The fourth module discusses the links between innovation and sustainability, highlighting approaches for technological, social, institutional, and financial innovations. Some examples (or cases) aim to show how different actors across society balance in practice the need for innovative approaches for social, environmental, and economic sustainability. The fifth and last module provides general insights on how we work with models to create various scenarios that help us identify solutions and pathways for a more sustainable world. Three main dimensions are addressed namely climate and climate change, nature and biodiversity, and the importance of data and geodata science to support spatial planning and sustainable land use. This course is brought to you by Lund University with input from four external contributors: - Lund Municipality, Sweden - DigIT Hub, a cluster organisation for digitalisation in society based in Lund, Sweden - Forum for Social Innovation Sweden, a national network across 5 universities - Sustainable Business Hub, a cluster organisation for smart sustainable cities, based in Malmö, Sweden

Modules

Introduction to the course and setting the scene

    • 2 Videos
    • 1 Readings
Show info about module content

2 Videos

  • Welcome, objectives and structure of the course
  • General reflections on advancements in sustainability science and development

1 Readings

  • The Lund University Sustainability Forum

Sustainability and Sustainable Development

    • 2 Videos
    • 1 Readings
Show info about module content

2 Videos

  • Sustainability and Sustainable Development Part 1
  • Sustainability and Sustainable Development Part 2

1 Readings

  • Suggested readings

Agenda 2030 and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

    • 1 Videos
    • 3 Readings
    • 1 Plugin
Show info about module content

1 Videos

  • Agenda 2030 and the Sustainable Development Goals

3 Readings

  • Suggested readings
  • Information - external video on the SDGs
  • image: the "SDG wedding cake"

Important concepts in sustainability

    • 2 Videos
    • 2 Readings
    • 2 Plugin
Show info about module content

2 Videos

  • Important concepts in sustainability
  • The Anthropocene and the Planetary boundaries

2 Readings

  • Suggested readings
  • Information - external videos about positive tipping points

Visions and narrative on alternative futures

    • 1 Videos
    • 1 Readings
Show info about module content

1 Videos

  • Narrating climate futures - creative and co-productive approaches to climate imaginaries

1 Readings

  • Suggested readings

Perspective from sustainability professional in public sector

    • 1 Videos
    • 1 Readings
Show info about module content

1 Videos

  • Interview - Environmental Policy at Lund Municipality, Sweden

1 Readings

  • Voluntary Local Reviews 2021: 4 Swedish cities

Review

    • 1 Assignment
Show info about module content

1 Assignment

  • Quiz for module 1

Systems thinking and sustainability

    • 2 Videos
    • 2 Readings
    • 2 Plugin
Show info about module content

2 Videos

  • Why systems thinking in sustainability?
  • What is system thinking?

2 Readings

  • Information: two external videos on leverage points
  • Suggested readings

Systemic design and approaches to designing systems

    • 2 Videos
    • 1 Readings
Show info about module content

2 Videos

  • Approaches to designing for modelling
  • Challenges in systemic design

1 Readings

  • Gigamapping: example of tool in system design

Systems thinking applied

    • 2 Videos
    • 1 Readings
Show info about module content

2 Videos

  • Examples of systems
  • Systems summary

1 Readings

  • Suggested reading

Review

    • 1 Assignment
Show info about module content

1 Assignment

  • Quiz for module 2

Transformative governance and policy frames

    • 1 Videos
    • 1 Readings
Show info about module content

1 Videos

  • Transformative governance and policy frames

1 Readings

  • Suggested readings

Circular Economy - the role of business in the circular economy

    • 2 Videos
    • 1 Readings
Show info about module content

2 Videos

  • The role of business in the circular economy - Part 1
  • The role of business in the circular economy - Part 2

1 Readings

  • Note on other Lund University MOOC on circular economy

Circular Economy - the local and global view

    • 5 Videos
Show info about module content

5 Videos

  • The local view - Part 1
  • The local view - Part 2
  • The local view - Part 3
  • The global view - Part 1
  • The global view - Part 2

Circular Economy - circularity's value to society

    • 3 Videos
Show info about module content

3 Videos

  • Circularity's value to society - Part 1
  • Circularity's value to society - Part 2
  • Circularity's value to society - Part 3

Review

    • 1 Assignment
Show info about module content

1 Assignment

  • Quiz for module 3

What do we mean by innovation?

    • 3 Videos
    • 1 Readings
Show info about module content

3 Videos

  • Introduction to the module
  • What do we mean by innovation?
  • From innovation to system change

1 Readings

  • Suggested readings

Why do we need innovation for sustainability?

    • 1 Videos
    • 1 Readings
Show info about module content

1 Videos

  • Innovation for weak and strong sustainability

1 Readings

  • Suggested readings

Contextualising innovation

    • 2 Videos
Show info about module content

2 Videos

  • Innovation in time and space
  • Case - Community currencies

Innovation and sustainability in practice

    • 3 Videos
    • 1 Readings
Show info about module content

3 Videos

  • Interview - Forum for Social Innovation Sweden
  • Interview - DigIT Hub, cluster for digitalisation
  • Interview - Sustainable Business Hub, cluster for smart sustainable cities

1 Readings

  • Interviews with external actors driving nnovation

Review

    • 1 Assignment
Show info about module content

1 Assignment

  • Quiz for module 4

Working with climate scenarios

    • 1 Videos
    • 1 Readings
Show info about module content

1 Videos

  • Working with climate scenarios

1 Readings

  • Suggested readings

Working with nature and biodiversity

    • 2 Videos
    • 1 Readings
Show info about module content

2 Videos

  • Biodiversity conservation is key to achieving the SDGs
  • Turning conflicts between biodiversity conservation and climate action into synergies

1 Readings

  • Suggested readings

Data science and geodata science for sustainability

    • 2 Videos
    • 1 Readings
Show info about module content

2 Videos

  • AI and data science for sustainability
  • AI and geodata science for sustsinability

1 Readings

  • Suggested reading

Review

    • 1 Assignment
Show info about module content

1 Assignment

  • Quiz for module 5

Auto Summary

"Working for a Sustainable Future: Concepts and Approaches" is an enriching course offered by Lund University through Coursera, tailored for individuals keen on understanding and contributing to sustainability. Suitable for beginners, it spans across 5 comprehensive modules, making it accessible to anyone regardless of their professional background or field of interest. This foundational course delves into essential areas of sustainability science, focusing on the interplay between environmental, social, and economic dimensions. It aligns with the Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development, offering a holistic view on global sustainability challenges and solutions. Key concepts covered include strong and weak sustainability, resilience, and planetary boundaries. Participants will explore systems thinking and design, gaining practical insights into achieving long-term sustainability goals. The course also examines the economic and policy drivers of sustainability, introducing transformative policy frameworks and the circular economy. Innovation is another critical aspect, with the course highlighting technological, social, and financial innovations essential for sustainable development. Real-world examples illustrate how various societal actors balance sustainability needs across different sectors. Finally, the course provides insights into modeling scenarios for a sustainable future, focusing on climate change, biodiversity, and the importance of data science in spatial planning. Expert input from Lund Municipality, DigIT Hub, Forum for Social Innovation Sweden, and Sustainable Business Hub enriches the learning experience, offering diverse perspectives and case studies. With a total duration of approximately 1140 minutes, learners can subscribe to the course under the Starter plan on Coursera. This course is ideal for anyone looking to gain a robust understanding of sustainability concepts and approaches, equipping them with the knowledge and confidence to engage in meaningful discussions and actions towards a sustainable future.

Mine Islar
Instructors

Mine Islar

Juan Ocampo
Instructors

Juan Ocampo

Cristina Chaminade
Instructors

Cristina Chaminade

Helen Avery
Instructors

Helen Avery

Henner Busch
Instructors

Henner Busch

Dr. Yuliya Voytenko Palgan
Instructors

Dr. Yuliya Voytenko Palgan

Dr. Paul Graham Raven, MA
Instructors

Dr. Paul Graham Raven, MA

Philip Peck
Instructors

Philip Peck

Ali Mansourian
Instructors

Ali Mansourian

Jean-Nicolas Poussart
Instructors

Jean-Nicolas Poussart

Markku Rummukainen
Instructors

Markku Rummukainen