Description
This module will start by introducing the students to the concepts of, and the challenges to, sustainability and sustainable development, and strictly associated approaches such as life-cycle thinking and circular economy. The module will provide a grounding in sustainability/climate policies, and of strategies for communicating environmental impacts and for recognising/avoiding “greenwashing”. The module will provide a theoretical understanding and practical knowledge of tools and indicators for assessing the environmental and social impacts and the economic costs of projects, policies and products. The module will embed approaches that support rational decision-making by incorporating multiple, and often conflicting, aspects into problems and case studies. Students will have the opportunity to apply these tools and approaches, independently and as part of a team, to real-world case studies, including some that are connected with and support local communities.
Indicative Syllabus
- Introduction to Sustainability and Sustainable Development
- Life cycle thinking and methodologies
- Circular economy and indicators
- Environmental impacts (Life Cycle Assessment)
- Climate policies
- Environmental communications and greenwashing
- Social Impacts (Social-Life Cycle Assessment; stakeholder analysis)
- Cost assessment
- Decision-support tools (SWOT analysis, cost-benefit analysis, multi-criteria decision analysis)
Module deliveries for 2024/25 academic year
Last updated
This module description was last updated on 19th August 2024.