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Learner Reviews & Feedback for Working for a sustainable future: concepts and approaches by Lund University

4.7
stars
97 ratings

About the Course

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...

Top reviews

MD

Dec 10, 2022

A very systematic course on concept and approaches for sustainable future. I would suggest everyone to pursue this course for better understanding of sustainability.

AR

Nov 27, 2022

It helped me to understand the environmental jargon and I am extremely happy the way course was organized. Thanks a lot Lund university and co.

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1 - 25 of 32 Reviews for Working for a sustainable future: concepts and approaches

By Nolwandle M

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Jul 23, 2022

This course was easy to follow and interesting enough to keep me engaged.

By Adzkiya S

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May 25, 2022

very informative

By Freerk V

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Nov 14, 2022

The course picks a few aspects around sustainability, but should be studied together with other courses to get a full overview. E.g. the course from Lund about circularity that gives much mnore practical and ready to use examples of moving towards a sustainable future.

By Dr. F O

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Jul 1, 2022

Overall, I liked the course. Some lectures, I felt, where not evidence-based. They had an ideological content that I disliked.

By Tülin M

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Nov 27, 2022

I chose this course to learn more about sustainability while studying City and Regional Planning. And I am very satisfied with the results. I was very happy to be asked about our thoughts on the subject in the lecture videos and to be able to participate in the course in this way. Therefore, I would like to thank the lecturers.

By Cherise E

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Jan 6, 2023

A great foundational course on the notion of sustainable development and key components, climate change, biodiversity, and how radical innovation is required to meet the many sustainability challenges we face.

By Divine C I

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Oct 24, 2023

I really enjoyed the course and its outline. It was also very easy to understand for someone who is new in the field as a result of one's interest in sustainability. Great course, highly recommended!!!

By Luis M M S

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Jun 27, 2023

Good methodology and materials. Up to date. Interesting and easy to follow the course.

Attention! For those who may need it, the certificate does not indicate the workload hours!

By Miguel J F D

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May 8, 2023

Very interesting and I learn new things in each video. And now I understand some acronyms that I read and hear in some texts or lectures and that we see on TV or on the news.

By Mohammad D

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Dec 11, 2022

A very systematic course on concept and approaches for sustainable future. I would suggest everyone to pursue this course for better understanding of sustainability.

By Ab R

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Nov 28, 2022

It helped me to understand the environmental jargon and I am extremely happy the way course was organized. Thanks a lot Lund university and co.

By Christoph R

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Jan 24, 2023

Content is great and is a good introduction to sustainability. Only the lighting of the videos is bad and sometimes the audio.

By Eduardo M

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Apr 30, 2023

Excelent Course to understand the concepts, as a beginner in the sustainable world that we need.

By Heather T

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May 10, 2023

Absolutely fantastic course, and super informative. The Lectures are enjoyable and eye-opening.

By Xin N

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Jul 4, 2023

A wonderful course which provides some fundamental knowledge about sustainability to us.

By MOHAMMED A

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May 24, 2023

Excellent course. Helpful for HSE Professionals in renewable enrgy sector

By Dr. S M

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Mar 8, 2024

An excellent course. My heartfelt thanks to Lund University and Coursera.

By Muhammad S k

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Jul 8, 2023

Exceptional learning, teaching was too explanatory and comprehensive.

By sarah s

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Mar 1, 2023

very helpful!! well paced and great information and lecturers.

By Sara J S

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Aug 2, 2023

It is s one of the best on sustainable concepts!

By Ana L C

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Sep 21, 2023

A very good one for beginners

By chamil k

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Aug 7, 2022

great course.

By Felix K N

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Jan 2, 2024

Exceptional!

By Elvis N

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Apr 6, 2023

good

By Mar F

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Nov 7, 2022

It's an interesting course although it could be more detailed, it feels like you learn a little bit of the general picture but nothing in particular.

Also, all teachers have foreign accents and make it more difficult to understand at times.

Thank you very much!