Greening the Economy - Achieving the Global Goals
Grön ekonomi - att uppnå de globala målen

SASI06, 7.5 credits, G1 (First Cycle)

Valid for: 2024/25
Faculty: Faculty of Engineering LTH
Decided by: PLED W
Date of Decision: 2024-04-02
Effective: 2024-05-08

General Information

Main field: Environmental Management and Policy Depth of study relative to the degree requirements: First cycle, has only upper-secondary level entry requirements
Elective for: TILLF1
Language of instruction: The course will be given in English

Aim

This course is a Special Area Studies course provided for exchange students, and regular students, within Lund University. Greening the Economy – Achieving the Global Goals is an interdisciplinary course that addresses the challenges to combine economic development with a healthy environment and achieving social wellbeing . The aim of the course is to allow students to explore greening the economy and the sustainable development goals on four levels – individual, business, city, and nation, and look at the relationships between these levels. Practical examples of the complexities and solutions across each level are discussed. A particular focus is placed on examples from Scandinavia, but the course also features examples from Europe and around the world, which taken together provides a practical starting point for learning about greening the economy and the relationship to the sustainable development goals.

Learning outcomes

Knowledge and understanding
For a passing grade the student must

• • Be able to describe the basic challenges involved in the implementation of greening the economy and gain an overview of the sustainable development goals.
• • Be able to describe and contrast basic concepts, strategies and technologies that can enable greening the economy and achieving the sustainable development goals.
• • Be able to analyze, evaluate and make critical judgements on various strategies and approaches towards greening the economy and the relationship to the sustainable development goals.

Competences and skills
For a passing grade the student must

• Demonstrate the ability to plan and execute course assignments within given time limits, using relevant methods for completing the assignment.
• Demonstrate the ability to present, in written or oral form, a coherent and sustained argument related to a given question or problem of relevance to the course content.

Judgement and approach
For a passing grade the student must

• • Be able to reflect upon how individual choices, business strategies, sustainable cities and national policies can promote or hinder greening the economy and the relationship to the sustainable development goals.

Contents

The course is comprised of five modules,

Introduction to greening the economy and the sustainable development goals

• In the first module we discuss the key issues that a green economy seeks to address and the underlying concepts and definitions of a green economy and the sustainable development goals. The aim is to provide students with an understanding of the problems arising from the interaction of the economy and the environment; the concept of a green economy and related concepts and indicators.

Individual choices

• In this module we discuss how individual choices can help or hinder progress towards a green economy. The aim is for students to gain an understanding of patterns and levels of consumption; looking at theories of consumer behavior and the limitations of working with consumer choice in isolation.

Business strategies

• This module focus on the business level and how companies and organisations choose strategies that can help transitions to a green economy. The aim is to provide students with an understanding of challenges for companies that want to take a lead in the transition to a greener economy; and of strategies for green business in different contexts.

Sustainable cities

• In this module we will look at how planning and designing cities can help achieve a green economy and underpin sustainable development goals. The aim is that students should understand the role of cities in relation to experimentation, planning, collaboration and visions for a green economy.

National policies

• The final module focus on how national governments can establish policies to promote a greener economy across the different levels discussed in this course. The aim is that students will gain an understanding of how national level policies affect cities, business, and individuals and be able to critically reflect upon the challenges for national level policies to influence other levels, including the international sphere.

The course involves lectures, seminars and assignments. Seminars are compulsory, and active participation required to pass the course.

Examination details

Grading scale: TH - (U, 3, 4, 5) - (Fail, Three, Four, Five)
Assessment:

Participation in seminars is mandatory. In order to pass the course, the student must also complete all course assignments. The final grade is based on the mark received on the written exam and the mark received for the course project. Absence from compulsory activities will be compensated by an assignment according to the instruction of the teacher in charge. While attendance to lectures is not mandatory, attending lectures is central to the achievement of learning outcomes. It is important to note that all elements covered in the classes will not necessarily be mirrored in the course readings and that the examination may reflect all course elements, also those only covered in class.

The examiner, in consultation with Disability Support Services, may deviate from the regular form of examination in order to provide a permanently disabled student with a form of examination equivalent to that of a student without a disability.

Modules
Code: 0122. Name: Greening the Economy - Achieving the Global Goals.
Credits: 7.5. Grading scale: TH - (U, 3, 4, 5).

Admission

Admission requirements:

• These courses belong to the First Cycle of the European Bologna system. This is equivalent to undergraduate/bachelor’s level in other systems. Apart from basic qualifications to study at undergraduate level no other prerequisites are required.

Reading list

• According to a literature list that will be available at the latest eight weeks before start of the course on the course web page.

Contact

Course coordinator: Matthias Lehner, matthias.lehner@iiiee.lu.se
Course homepage: https://www.iiiee.lu.se/education/special-area-studies-sas