Study Guide

Objective

The student is familiar with the key concepts and principles of environmental and social sustainability and circular economy (CE). They have basic tools for developing sustainable solutions in their own field. Furthermore, the student understands why the linear economy is unsustainable and should be abandoned in favor of CE.

Content

Central concepts in sustainability and CE and how they are connected to each other, triple bottom line, refuse, reduce, reuse, refill, repair, remanufacture, recycle, rethink, concrete examples of all these and encouraging creativity in finding new business models with the help of CE business canvas.
Network economy as the new normal. CE often requires that different businesses, often in different industries, work together.
"Doughnut Economy" and social sustainability. The role of engineers in contributing to a society where vulnerable groups also have a decent life. For example, technology should facilitate, not complicate and distance. A large vulnerable group here is the elderly whose cognitive abilities are declining.
The UN's SDGs and how to measure progress in the different areas. An exercise on selected indicators for the sub-goals is included to familiarize the students with how the goals are followed up and measured.
Circular procurement and logistics.
Approximately half of the course consists of lectures and smaller tasks. The other half is a task connected to the student's own field of engineering.

Materials

Ellen MacArthur-Foundation website and a few youtube videos

Van Doorsselaer K, Koopman R., J. (2021) Ecodesign – A Life Cycle Approach for a Sustainable Future, Hanser.

Organschi, Alan, et al. (2022) Carbon: A Field Manual for Building Designers, John Wiley & Sons, Incorporated.

Kossila, L. (2020) Cirkulära materialflöden i praktiken: 12 tillämpningar på små och stora företag, Lund Studentlitteratur Ab.

https://www.ted.com/talks/kate_raworth_a_healthy_economy_should_be_designed_to_thrive_not_grow

Hedenmark, M., Frick P. (2016) Vad är cirkulär ekonomi? e-bok, Re-Makers.

Mårtensson, K., Westerberg, K (2017) Miljöstrategiskt arbete – Företaget i det nya strategiska landskapet, Stockholm, Liber.

Lawrence, J., T., Beamish, P., W. (2013) Globally Responsible Leadership – Managing According to the UN Global Compact, London, UK, Sage.

(Cavico, F., J., Bahaudin, G., M. (2016) Developing a Legal, Ethical and Socially Responsible Mindset for Sustainable Leadership, Davie, Florida, US, ILEAD Academy.)

Evaluation scale

H-5

Assessment criteria, satisfactory (1)

Accepted assignments on time.

Assessment criteria, good (3)

The student shows an understanding of the course material and it's practical implications on the own field of engineering. Furthermore relevant sources are used in the assignments.

Assessment criteria, excellent (5)

The student shows an independent ability to develop solutions in her own field based on the course material. Relevant academic (and other) sources are used in a competent way in the assignments.

Qualifications

no requirements

Further information

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